Congested Skin: What Is It and How Can You Prevent It?

What Is Congested Skin?

Congested skin occurs when pores—the tiny openings in your skin that release sweat and oil—get blocked by dead skin cells and excess oil. While blocked pores are common on the face, including a congested forehead, they can occur in other spots, too. You have pores all over your body, so skin congestion can occur anywhere from head to toe. 

You might not notice skin congestion at first, but it can become more noticeable if blemishes develop. Blackheads and whiteheads are two common types of acne that can form when your pores are clogged. Blackheads appear dark because the dead skin cells and oil clogging the pore are exposed to the air. With whiteheads, on the other hand, you can see the blockage within the pore underneath the skin, which creates that “white” head. Congested skin can also lead to enlarged pores. As pores get plugged up, they can stretch out, making them look larger. 

What causes congested skin?

As mentioned, dead skin cells and excess oil all can cause skin congestion. However, there are a few factors that can contribute to their formation or exacerbate congested pores. For one, environmental changes like excess humidity and pollution can cause skin congestion. Certain skincare products, as well as makeup and even hair care, can also clog pores. And lastly, elements of one’s lifestyle can play a role. Studies show that both a lack of sleep and rising stress levels can lead to skin congestion.² And too much friction on your skin caused by tight clothing, accessories, or forceful scrubbing can also exacerbate this skin concern. 

It’s also worth noting that while it may be tempting to pick at any blemishes that crop up yourself, doing so may make the situation worse. 

How To Tell if You Have Congested Skin

If you have blemishes, that’s a clear sign of skin congestion. Clogged pores are the leading cause of breakouts. They can look like they’re plugged with dirt or white material if they develop into blackheads or whiteheads. Large pores may also be a sign that you’re dealing with congested skin. Beyond the visual signs, skin congestion can cause your skin to feel rough with a coarse texture. As we mentioned above, it may remind you of sandpaper. 

People of all skin types can experience congested skin, though there are some skin types that are more prone to it. Oily skin is most frequently associated with this concern, and it’s the skin type that experiences congestion the most—after all, excess oil is one of the cornerstones of a blocked pore. 

Those with dry skin may also be prone to skin congestion because a buildup of dead skin cells can block pores. Combination skin may develop congested pores more easily as well; this skin type is oily in some areas and dry in others, both factors that can lead to congestion. 

While you may be able to make some educated guesses on whether or not you’re managing skin congestion, the best way to know if you have congested skin is to see a dermatologist. They can examine your skin and will ask a series of questions to determine your unique skin concerns. 

How To Care for Congested Skin

Dealing with skin congestion can be challenging. If you’re trying to figure out how to unblock congested skin, it’s important to understand that some people can rely on over-the-counter products to promote clearer-looking skin, but others may need more support. Don’t be afraid to make an appointment with a dermatologist, who can evaluate your skin and work with you to develop a skincare plan tailored to your unique needs. 

Over-the-counter options

Effective ingredients

Two tried-and-true ingredients for targeting plugged-up pores are salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide. Salicylic acid, an ingredient derived from willow bark, helps break down excess oil to decongest the skin. Benzoyl peroxide also helps unclog pores, doing so by sloughing away dead skin. 

Acne products

How you choose to add skin-clarifying ingredients into your routine is often a matter of personal preference, but there are a few formats that make it especially simple. One is your cleanser. It’s important to rid your skin of excess oil, dead skin cells, and other grime as these are common causes of congested skin. Washing it all away with a formula with salicylic acid like CeraVe Acne Control Cleanser can help take your daily cleanse to the next level. The dermatologist-recommended cleanser helps gently exfoliate the dead skin cells that can clog pores and contribute to acne. 

You can also consider trying a spot treatment to address your congested skin. Most spot treatments are meant to be smoothed onto specific areas that are prone to clogged pores or blemishes. CeraVe Acne Control Gel, however, can be used as a targeted treatment on spots or applied as a full-face acne treatment. It has a clear formula that features salicylic acid as well as other effective ingredients to help visibly reduce the appearance of pores.

Regardless of how you choose to incorporate ingredients like salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide into your routine, make sure you wear sunscreen daily. Exfoliating ingredients can make your skin more sensitive to the sun, increasing your risk of sunburn and sun damage. Always wear sunscreen with an SPF value of at least 15, and take other sun protection measures, like wearing sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat. 

Professional treatments

Facials

While you should never pick at your pores yourself, you can unblock congested skin with the help of a professional when you book a facial. Licensed estheticians and dermatologists can perform extractions, using their hands or tools to express the contents of congested pores from your skin. During a facial, you can also expect cleansing, exfoliating, and moisturizing, which may help further reduce pore congestion. 

Dermatological procedures

There are a variety of in-office congested skin treatments to choose from; a dermatologist can help you determine the best one for your specific concerns and goals. One of the most popular types of procedures to address skin congestion is the chemical peel. Chemical peels work by exfoliating the skin, removing the dead cells and excess oil that can lead to congested pores. Other professional exfoliating treatments to consider include microdermabrasion, which uses a special tool to slough the surface of your skin, and laser skin resurfacing, which breaks down dead skin cells and excess oil with light energy. For the best personalized skincare advice, seek the help of a board-certified dermatologist when looking for congested skin treatments.

How Can You Prevent Congested Skin?

While there’s no guarantee that you can fully get rid of congested skin, especially without the help of a dermatologist, making some changes to your routine can go a long way towards improving its visible clarity. This includes making switches to your daily regimen, such as which products you use, as well as some tweaks to your everyday lifestyle.

Skincare routine adjustments

Following a proper skincare routine is key if you want your skin to look and feel its best. One of the most essential skincare steps in any routine is cleansing. It can also be particularly important for staving off skin congestion. Washing your face helps rid your skin of buildup, whether that’s makeup and dirt or excess oil and dead skin cells. Try the aforementioned CeraVe Acne Control Cleanser, which penetrates pores to help prevent new acne breakouts.

If you have congested skin, especially if you have an oily skin type, you may be tempted to skip moisturizing in order to help reduce shine. However, this may backfire—when your skin senses that it is dry, it produces more oil, which can lead to clogged pores. Instead of skipping moisturizer, use formulas that are lightweight, like CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30 and CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion. Bonus: The former combines moisturizer and sunscreen into one product, which cuts one step out of your morning routine.

Non-comedogenic formulas

When working to address congested skin, it absolutely matters which skincare products you use. One of the most important things to look for on a product label is the term “non-comedogenic.” This term means the product is formulated in such a way that it will not clog pores. You can also seek out products made by brands that are recommended by dermatologists. All of CeraVe’s acne products are non-comedogenic and developed with dermatologists. 

Another important factor in selecting new skincare products is the ingredient list. If your skin is prone to congested pores, you may want to avoid certain ingredients like coconut oil and jojoba oil. While these can be beneficial ingredients for sealing in moisture, they may be too heavy on congested skin. Instead, when looking to support your skin’s moisture levels, we recommend looking for ingredients like ceramides. CeraVe’s entire lineup of products contains a signature blend of three essential ceramides to help replenish moisture and maintain your skin’s protective barrier. Using products with ceramides can be particularly beneficial for those prone to clogged pores, as low ceramide levels have been connected to congestion.

Lifestyle changes

Because high stress levels and failure to get enough sleep can both contribute to skin congestion, practicing better sleep hygiene and working on stress management techniques could help with preventing clogged pores. Methods recommended by the American Academy of Dermatology to help reduce stress levels include meditation, acupuncture, breathwork, and yoga.³ 

For help choosing the right products for your specific skin type and skin concerns, use our Find My Skincare Solution tool.