How Do I Clear Up Clogged Pores on My Nose?

If you struggle with enlarged-looking pores, blackheads, or whiteheads on your nose, you’re not alone. According to experts, clogged pores are, unfortunately, most common on the nose area for a few reasons. First, your nose tends to produce more oil because the oil glands there are biggest. Once oil oxidizes, the pores look black. If you’ve been trying things such as nose strips to clear up congestion and they haven’t helped much, there’s a lot more you can do. 

Emme Diane Burg, an esthetician with 20 years of experience, says, “The best way to clear up blackheads is by sticking to a consistent skin care routine with targeted ingredients. Salicylic acid is a key player here because it’s oil-soluble, which means it can dive deep into the pore to dissolve any oil or impurities that are creating clogs.” She adds, “Clay-based masks and sulfur are also great for drawing out impurities and decongesting the pores by reducing excess oil.” Burg does a sulfur mask once a week as part of her skin care routine. 

If your skin is sensitive and can’t handle salicylic acid, Burg recommends gentle manual exfoliation. Products with jojoba beads or other gentle manual exfoliants can help remove the top layer of dead skin cells, preventing buildup that can lead to clogged pores. But if your blackheads are really stubborn, it might be time to break out the big guns. Burg recommends seeing an esthetician for professional extractions — you should never try to extract them yourself at home. She also doesn’t recommend using at-home devices like “pore vacuums” because they can cause other skin issues.

In addition to salicylic acid, Burg says gentler acids with a larger molecule size, such as mandelic, are also good options here. She recommends her Clarifying Serum, which contains mandelic acid and is a great option for sensitive skin. Another favorite of Burg’s is a cult-loved product from Paula’s Choice — the Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant. It may be too harsh for those with sensitive skin to use every day, but start slow and work your way up. Another great option that Burg loves is Kate Somerville’s ExfoliKate Intensive Exfoliating Treatment, which uses three different types of exfoliants and enzymes to thoroughly clear clogged pores. 

Overall, the best way to clear clogged pores on your nose is by sticking to a consistent routine that includes some type of exfoliation — even if you have sensitive skin. We’re big fans of using an alternating routine, such as a retinoid three times a week and a more gentle exfoliator on the other days, such as the Barefaced Exfoliating Toning Pads. Both will brighten the skin and ensure your nose stays free of congestion.