In a hurry? Here are our top picks:

Facial pores are tiny openings in the surface of the skin of everyone’s face which secrete oil (sebum). They are connected to the hair follicles under the surface of the skin from which hairs grow out.

For the most part, the size of your pores is genetically determined. Therefore, you cannot shrink them, but you can make them appear less pronounced by keeping them free of dirt, oil, and dead skin cells.

When the pores get filled with debris, they appear swollen and larger than they should. That is why the selection of cleansers is so important.

The rest of the article is devoted to discussing what to consider before you buy a cleanser, an analysis of the best facial pore cleansers, how these cleansers were selected, and finally, some frequently asked questions about cleansers.

Quick summary

Before you buy: 6 Things to consider when purchasing a facial pore cleanser

1. pH

Since our skin is slightly acidic with a pH of about 5, you want to select a product that has a pH similar to your skin.

If it is too alkaline, this can upset the barrier function of the skin leading to the growth of unhealthy microbes, loss of water and dehydration, and irritation and damage to the skin.

2. Determine your skin type

If you have a shiny appearance to your skin, enlarged pores, and acne breakouts, you probably have oily skin. You might benefit from products with hydroxy acids, like salicylic acid.

If you have dry or sensitive skin, you want to look for a creamy cleanser with moisturizers, not a foaming one which, can strip your skin of its natural oils. If you have sensitive skin, you will want to look for soothing ingredients like sunflower oil.

3. Anti-aging ingredients

You want to look for a cleanser with anti-oxidants to help with anti-aging. Anti-oxidants help scavenge up the free radicals produced by the harmful UV rays of the sun.

They collect and get rid of these free radicals to prevent damage to our collagen, which leads to wrinkles, and damage to our DNA, which leads to skin cancer.

Look for ingredients like vitamin C and E, which are both great anti-oxidants. Glycolic acid also helps with anti-aging by treating fine lines and wrinkles.

4. Oil controlling

You want to look for ingredients with charcoal or clay, which can absorb or dissolve oil. Hydroxy acids, like salicylic acid and glycolic acid, help control oil as well. These products get rid of the oil that clogs pores, which can lead to blackheads and acne.

5. Exfoliators

Products containing either chemical (glycolic acid) or physical (beads) exfoliators can help eliminate dead skin cells, which can clog pores. When pores get clogged, they appear larger and swollen and can lead to blackheads and acne.

4. Avoid certain ingredients

You want to avoid products with mineral oil or petrolatum, which can clog your pores and make them look bigger and lead to acne.

Products with alcohol can sometimes be too irritating for people, especially those with dry or sensitive skin. If you overuse alcohol products, that can cause your skin to produce more oil to compensate.

Also, fragrances or scents can irritate some people as well, especially those with dry or sensitive skin.

The 4 best facial pore cleansers

Unique features:

• Suitable for all skin types
• Organic, chemical-free formula that does not contain sulfates, parabens, mineral oil, petrolatum
• Calming and moisturizing properties

The best cleanser for:

This cleanser is excellent for all skin types. It is moisturizing and soothing enough for sensitive skin, while it can also help fight acne in oily skin.

Notable ingredients:

Jojoba, aloe vera, sunflower

Overview:

The ZELEN Life Cleanser is an all-natural face wash that is handmade and suitable for all skin types. Its main ingredients are aloe vera, sunflower oil, and jojoba oil.

Aloe has long been used for its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties to help treat eczema and psoriasis (1-4). Its use dates back 2,500 years and is an effective ingredient to soothe sunburns, balance the skin’s pH, and reduce the appearance of aging. It is also a very good hydrating agent.

Sunflower seed oil provides rich hydration and wound healing properties that calm and protect the skin (5-7). This is because it forms a protective barrier on the skin’s surface that maintains its hydration and prevents germs and bacteria from penetrating it. Due to its gentle action, it can even be used on an infant’s skin.

Jojoba oil is one of the most lightweight oils that will not clog your pores (1, 8-9). It can actually help control and regulate oil production as it is very similar to the skin’s sebum. Due to this, it tricks the skin into thinking that it doesn’t need additional oil. Furthermore, it promotes collagen production, providing you with a more youthful and elastic face.

Moreover, the organic cleanser contains several other antioxidants, such as lavender oil, rose oil, and tocopherol (vitamin E), which help with anti-aging by protecting your skin from the harmful UV rays that can cause wrinkles and skin cancer (1, 10-15). The inclusion of glycerin and almond oil also helps to hydrate the skin and keep it radiant (1, 19-20).

This cleanser is fairly lightweight and doesn’t leave a greasy residue upon application. It doesn’t produce any lather, however, it is very effective in clearing the face from impurities and unwanted debris. It glides effortlessly on the skin, while not clogging the pores.

How does it smell?

The scent of this cleanser comes purely from its botanical blend, meaning no artificial fragrances. It has a flowery/citrusy scent that is not overpowering but very calming. It includes ingredients well-known for their aromatherapy qualities, such as sunflower, geranium, lavender, and lemon. The scent will certainly not disappoint.

While this cleanser does a great job in removing impurities and light makeup, if you are a regular makeup user and would like a face wash that can provide stronger makeup removal action, then consider Erno Laszlo Pore Refining Cleanser. It includes activated charcoal, in combination with aloe vera and lemon, which are all great ingredients for detox and makeup removal.

Lastly, this cleanser comes in a premium matte-silver airless bottle. Its airless pump prevents the cream from contamination, minimizing the chances of acne breakouts and irritation.

Overall, this is a great all-rounder that is very premium for its modest price point.

The good:

Things to think about:

Bottom line:

If you are looking for a powerful acne-fighting cleanser that is also gentle on your skin while being protective, then this is a great choice.

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Unique features:

• Vegan and cruelty-free
• Warming sensation
• No alcohol, sulfates, parabens, silicones

The best cleanser for:

This cleanser works great at cleaning out your pores and balancing excess oil, especially if you have oily skin.

Notable ingredients:

Charcoal, vitamin C (ascorbyl glucoside), artichoke leaf, jojoba

Overview:

boscia Detoxifying Black Charcoal Cleanser is a unique warming cleanser full of quality ingredients that help keep your skin free of excess oil and shine. Its main ingredients are charcoal, vitamin C, artichoke leaf extract, and jojoba.

Charcoal has long been used to absorb excess oil on the skin (21-23). It acts like a magnet to keep your skin shine-free and effectively reduces the appearance of larger pores. It has many other medicinal purposes, such as helping absorb poison in overdose patients.

Vitamin C is included in the form of ascorbyl glucoside and in the artichoke leaf extract. It is vital to the production of collagen which, helps keep skin smooth and wrinkle-free (1). It is also a powerful antioxidant that protects the skin from the sun’s harmful rays and has rich anti-inflammatory properties that soothe and protect the skin (24-25). Vitamin C also helps brighten the skin by removing dark spots that are caused by the sun.

As mentioned previously, jojoba helps control and balance oil production due to its similar to sebum’s molecule structure. This keeps the pores from being blocked, reducing the appearance of acne and large pores (1, 8, 9).

As an added bonus, this cleanser contains more anti-inflammatory and antioxidant ingredients, such as licorice root extract, rose geranium oil, and grapefruit seed extract. These also add a calming and soothing effect to the skin (1, 16-18, 26-27).

Due to the inclusion of charcoal, you will definitely notice that this cleanser is a bit more drying. So if you have dry skin, I would suggest avoiding this product. It feels lightweight upon application however, I noticed that it takes a bit longer to wash it off. You might feel a tingling sensation but leaves the skin refreshed and smooth.

One thing to keep in mind is the pump. While l love the bottle design, the pump often gets clogged, which can be frustrating. Sometimes I was having difficulties getting the product out and had to press the pump several times.

As for the scent, it has a rose geranium floral aroma which is very light and subtle. It also doesn’t contain any artificial fragrance, which reduces the chance of irritation.

If you are looking for a cleanser that is more suitable for dry skin types, then consider the ZELEN Life Cleanser. It is more hydrating and thus more appropriate for you. It contains natural ingredients such as aloe vera, jojoba, sweet almond, etc. which, are extremely known for their hydrating qualities.

The good:

Things to think about:

Bottom line:

If you are looking for a detoxifying facial pore cleanser that will protect your skin and balance excess oil as well, then look no further.

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Unique features:

• No sulfates, parabens, mineral oil, petrolatum
• Encapsulated detoxifying oil beads

The best cleanser for:

This is a great cleanser to unclog pores while soothing and removing heavy makeup.

Notable ingredients:

Charcoal, rice bran extract, lemon, aloe, superfruit extracts

Overview:

Erno Laszlo Pore Refining Detox Double Cleanse contains charcoal, rice bran, lemon, and superfruit extracts as its main ingredients that are encapsulated in its novel oil beads.

As discussed already, charcoal has great oil-absorbing capabilities. This helps keep your pores clean and your face shine-free (21-23). Due to its capability to remove impurities and oil, it is very effective in removing heavy makeup as well.

The inclusion of aloe and lemon extracts also assists in the makeup removal action due to their oil balancing properties. They also assist in minimizing acne breakouts (1-4, 27). Rice bran extract is rich in vitamins E and B. This helps not only in purifying the skin but also in reducing the appearance of signs of aging, such as tiredness, wrinkles, and fine lines. It also acts as a cleansing agent, reinforcing the action of the above ingredients.

In addition, the combination of superfruits extracts, such as pineapple, kiwi, starfruit, mangosteen, lychee, passionflower, guava, pomegranate, carrot, and jujube, have powerful anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties to help soothe and protect the skin (28-35).

Performance:

Like boscia Detoxifying Black Charcoal Cleanser, this cleanser is also a bit drying due to the inclusion of activated charcoal. So it is not very suitable for dry skin types. It produces a little bit more lather than boscia’s and is thicker in texture. While applying the gel, you can definitely feel the charcoal beads dissolve gently onto your skin.

I have to be honest, even after the first application, my skin felt squeaky clean, more vibrant, and healthy. It does leave the skin soft but not elastic soft. So make sure to apply a moisturizer afterward. One thing to consider is that sometimes the distribution of the charcoal beads is not even. This results in not getting any beads with some pumps.

The pump bottle itself looks fantastic and premium. But I must say, in my opinion, it could have been better for its very high price tag. Nevertheless, the pump protects the product from contamination and assists in applying the correct amount.

As for its scent, it has a very light fruity aroma which is definitely pleasant. But, it is important to note that it contains synthetic fragrance, which might cause some irritations to some. If you are looking for a cleanser that is cheaper but still very effective in providing a good cleanse, then consider Mario Budescu Cucumber. At half the price, you get almost five times the amount. Its main ingredient is cucumber which is known for its cleansing and cooling action. However, while it is very potent in removing makeup, it is not as effective as Erno Laszlo Pore Refining Detox Double Cleanse.

The good:

Things to think about:

Bottom line:

If you are looking for a face wash that provides deep cleanse and removes heavy makeup, you will not regret buying this one.

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Unique features:

• Can be used as a toner
• Cooling sensation
• No sulfates, parabens, mineral oil, petrolatum

The best cleanser for:

This is an excellent cleanser for those who are on a budget.

Notable ingredients:

Cucumber extract, 4% alcohol

Overview:

Mario Badescu Cucumber Cleansing Lotion is a cleanser that has as main ingredients cucumber extract and 4% alcohol.

Cucumbers have been cultivated for over 3,000 years as a food crop as well as for cosmetic purposes (1, 36-38). They have been used in skincare, not only for their unique cooling sensation but also for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Studies have shown that cucumber helps in minimizing puffiness and acne breakouts. It assists in reducing the effects of aging such as wrinkles and fine lines due to the fact that it is rich in vitamin K, B, and C. Additionally, vitamin K assists in reducing the appearance of stretch marks and spider veins.

It can help lighten the skin, remove dark spots caused by the sun and temporarily decrease swollen eyes or dark circles under the eyes because of its diuretic properties. Isopropyl alcohol helps remove excess oil from the skin and kills bacteria that are present, preventing this way their growth –  which often leads to many skin-related conditions such as acne, psoriasis, etc.

However, like most types of synthetic alcohols, isopropyl alcohol can produce certain side effects such as dryness, disruption of the skin’s natural barrier, irritations, redness, and stinginess. Thus, make sure to do a topical test before including this cleanser in your daily routine.

The cleansing lotion is very lightweight and non-greasy. But as said, it is a bit drying due to its inclusion of alcohol. If you have sensitive, or very dry or flaky skin, you might feel a stinging sensation upon application which might aggravate irritations and redness. For more tolerant skin, it does a great job in removing unwanted dirt or germs from the face.

The bottle is nothing special and pretty basic. But this should be expected at this price point. On the other hand, it is a large size, meaning it should last for a couple of months before the need for a replacement.

As for its scent, it is very fresh. But note, it is artificial as it contains synthetic fragrance. It is neither subtle or overpowering at the same time. Pretty neutral!

If you are looking for a gentler cleanser that is completely natural and free from harmful synthetic alcohols, then this one is not for you. Consider ZELEN Life’s or boscia’s Cleanser from our list.

The good:

Things to think about:

Bottom line:

If you are looking for a cleanser – for normal to oily skin – that has a nice cooling effect and is affordable, this face wash is for you.

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How we chose these products

These 4 cleansers for facial pores were chosen for several reasons. They are all trusted brands that deliver high-quality products. These companies perform extensive research to ensure their products are top quality. Also, there are numerous good reviews on all these products.

In this group of cleansers, you can find something for every budget. They range from expensive to reasonably priced. You don’t always have to spend a huge amount of money to get the right product.

These cleansers all fulfill their purpose with quality ingredients that target oily skin types. They cleanse the skin and keep the pores free of oil and debris, so they appear smaller.

In addition, they contain antioxidants to help protect the skin and help with anti-aging. They have anti-inflammatory properties and moisturizers to help soothe and hydrate the skin.

Frequently asked questions

How often do I need to cleanse my face?

Everyone needs to cleanse their face twice a day with the right products. You must wash your face in the morning to remove the oil and bacteria that has accumulated overnight.

You must also wash your face at night to remove makeup, dirt, oil, bacteria, and dead skin cells that build up over the course of the day. If you do not wash twice a day, this can lead to clogged pores and acne breakouts.

If you have sensitive skin, choose creamy non-foaming cleansers that will not strip your skin of natural oils that protect our skin. If you have oily skin, you can choose products that have hydroxy acids to remove excess oil.

How long until I see results?

It can take 1-2 months to start to see your pores becoming less clogged and less visible. As long as you do not have any irritation from your cleanser, keep using it.

Consistency and patience are the keys to success when treating clogged pores. There is no magic overnight treatment.

Can I over wash my face?

If you wash too much or use the wrong products, you can over-dry your skin. Your skin will get red and flaky. It will feel irritated, sore, or burning. That is why selecting the right product is so crucial to success with your skincare regimen.

If I have oily skin and enlarged pores, should I use a scrub brush?

You should not use a scrub brush on your face unless it is specially made for the face with soft bristles. Read the directions to determine how often you can use it and for how long. Always start slow and build up to it.

Skincare is a marathon, not a sprint. Be patient. Harsh bristles or over-washing can damage the skin, such as abrasions or cuts that result in infection or scarring.

Also, over washing or being too aggressive with your skin can cause the overproduction of oil as a defense mechanism.

How do I wash my face?

It is best to use clean fingertips to wash your face. Use lukewarm water, not hot water, which can sometimes irritate the skin. Massage the cleanser into your skin using small circular motions for about 30 seconds.

Most importantly, choose products that are right for your skin type. Pat dry with a clean towel, do not rub. Rubbing your skin can irritate it and cause excess production of oil or even damage your skin.

Do I need to moisturize after washing my face if I have oily skin?

Everyone needs to moisturize their face twice a day, even people with oily skin. You should moisturize after washing your face. If your skin is oily, use a light moisturizer, like a gel or lotion.

Thicker moisturizing creams are better for dry, sensitive skin. If your skin is oily and you are prone to clogged pores, avoid mineral oil or petrolatum-based products, which will just clog your pores more.

Conclusion

Cleansers are a crucial step in everyone’s skin care regimen, which makes the selection very important. You must read the ingredients to ensure you are selecting the correct product for your skin type.

Make sure to wash your face twice a day and moisturize twice a day to keep your skin healthy. Do not overdo it. Listen to your skin. If it gets red and irritated, it is telling you that the cleanser is wrong for you.

The cleansers discussed here are 4 good ones for gently unclogging pores.

Which one is your favorite? Or, perhaps there is one not on our list that you can recommend?

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