What is congested skin?
Congestion is the build-up of dead skin cells, sweat, impurities, and sebum in the pores. As this debris builds up, if it’s unable to leave the skin it becomes trapped and leads to blackheads, uneven skin texture and a dull appearance.
What does congested skin look like?
Since oily accumulation is usually linked to congested skin, it is not surprising that certain areas of your face are regularly affected. You might feel it on your chin, nose, cheeks, and forehead.
- Some symptoms include:
- Blackheads
- Whiteheads
- Acne
- Clogged pores
- Redness
- Rough, bumpy skin
- Skin with a dull appearance
What causes congestion?
The causes of congested skin are similar to the causes of acne and skin irritation. The cause can vary, depending on your skin type.
Hormones
Hormones play a role in the day-to-day appearance of your skin, and acne that’s caused by hormonal imbalances tends to congregate around your jawline and the bottom of your cheeks. This can make your skin look congested, with visible pores and pimples.
Oil production
Some people have naturally oily skin. This doesn’t always cause acne or blackheads, but it can be a contributing factor. Skin that produces excess sebum (oil) can also be more prone to large, open pores.
Skin elasticity
As you age, your skin’s natural elasticity declines. This can contribute to enlarged facial pores, according to at least one small study. Once pores are open and visible, they can be magnets for dirt and oil that result in blackheads and whiteheads.
Comedogenic products
Using products that irritate your skin can be a trigger for acne and skin irritation.
The following common ingredients in soaps and other skin care products are known to clog pores but are still used:
- Isopropyl myristate
- Propylene glycol
- Lanolins
What products can you use?
Clarify your complexion with
The 2% Salicylic Acid Cleanser.
This BHA cleanser provides a
thorough cleanse, lifting
makeup, dirt and impurities
while helping to unclog the
pores.
This gentle, lightweight fluid
quickly exfoliates dead skin
cells both on the surface and
deep inside pores to reveal
smoother, clearer, more
radiant-looking skin.
Our Mango Peel and Polish is
a brightening, skinsmoothing plant enzyme
exfoliator, that gently (but
thoroughly) lifts away dulling
dead cells to refine your skin’s
texture and swiftly recover
lost radiance.
Acne & Blemish Clearing
Serum is an all-in-one formula
that simplifies skincare! We
brought together some of the
most potent ingredients to
address a wide range of skin
concerns.
Quench your skin in a wave of
pure hydration with Prime
Hyaluronic Acid Serum. This
powerful ingredient attracts
up to 1000x its weight in
water, binding moisture to
restore the skin’s natural
barrier.
Oil Free Gel Moisturiser is
specially formulated for
combination or oily skin that’s
prone to breakouts.
What can you do to prevent congestion?
- Keep it tidy first and foremost. Whatever touches your face has the potential to deposit undesired dirt and particles onto your skin, which can cause congestion. Wash your hands frequently, as well as your face cloths, towels, pillowcases, and makeup brushes.
- Try to limit your intake of sugar as much as you can. A hormone that can tell the skin to create more oil and raise the risk of clogs is produced in greater quantities when a person consumes a lot of sugar. White bread, rice, and pasta are examples of simple carbohydrates that can cause sugar surges. In addition to hydrating your skin and lowering oiliness, drinking plenty of water will aid in the lymphatic system’s removal of any residual toxins that may be the cause of breakouts.
How can we help?
The following treatments are excellent for congested skin.
HydraFacial
HydraFacial is a physical process to get rid of clogged pores. And you can only get this done in medical spas or dermatology offices. Essentially, HydraFacials are a 3-step process, involving: 1) using water pressure to deep clean the pores and remove blockages, 2) using a small skin-friendly vacuum to extract debris from the pores, and 3) using a machine to directly pump the skin with beneficial active ingredients. The best part is that your skin won’t be red and inflamed afterwards.
Skin Peels
A chemical peel is solution applied to the face to remove dead skin cells and stimulate the growth of new cells. A chemical peel includes exfoliating acids like salicylic acid, lactic acid, glycolic acid or exfoliating enzymes like pumpkin, papaya or pineapple enzymes. We commonly use Salicylic acid for congested skin as it is oil soluble and can go into the pore to clear out debris and bacteria.
Oxygeneo Balance Facial
Geneo Balance (Charcoal Facial treatment) purifies and soothes oily skin, improving its texture and appearance. The Geneo Balancing OxyPod includes Bamboo Charcoal for a detoxifying effect, Camu-Camu extract for vitamins and antioxidants and Mandelic Acid for treating acne-prone skin. The treatment is completed with the Geneo Balancing Serum that includes powerful antioxidants, vitamins, nutrients and purifying ingredients such as Salicylic Acids, Peptides, Jojoba and Argan Oils, Vanilla and Horsetails extracts and Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate.
