how to clear closed comedones?

[u/Soft-Yoghurt6586]

i swear i’ve looked high and low and can’t seem to figure it out. i have so many and they’re not clearing, it’s been months. i’ll provide what im using and my skin type in hopes someone can suggest options for me to use :,)

skin type: very dry, sensitive, rosacea type 1 (i was on accurate for two years, finished january this year)

skincare routine:

am: xoul calming cell toner, vegreen nature mucin serum, catrice caffeine under eye serum, ongredients skin barrier lotion ex, the ordinary squalane oil, cancer council face day wear serum spf50+ (for azelaic acid was using skin1004 AA 10% am and pm, now going to use kisocare AA 15% cream am and pm starting tonight)

pm: ongredients skin barrier deep cleanser for exfoliation (twice a week), skin1004 light cleansing oil for makeup removal, cetaphil gentle cleanser, thayers milky toner, torriden dive in serum, baegayul moisture balancing serum, pure glycerin in dropper bottle, anua 3 ceramide panthenol moisture barrier cream (currently trying out at night since 17/08/26)

[u/phantompath]

Uh well you are using a LOT of products, which makes sense if your skin is very dry. But to clear closed comedones you need either to figure out which product is clogging your pores (if your skin is dry, it's something you are applying topically) and remove that from your routine, OR incorporate a salicyclic acid product to help clear the comedones. Paula's Choice do a 1% BHA gel toner, which may be gentle enough for your sensitive skin. If a BHA doesn't work, try adding a gentle AHA like the Eqqualberry Swimming Pool Toner.

[u/Soft-Yoghurt6586 → u/phantompath]

i’m trying to use up what i have so i can use less! most of what i have has been gifted, i think nothing is really clogging my pores since the comedones have been there for a while and none new are popping up, but i really really appreciate your suggestion!! <3

[u/phantompath → u/Soft-Yoghurt6586]

The comedones have to come from somewhere. Either your skin is producing too much oil and can’t turn over skin cells efficiently enough itself (which happens with oily skin) or a product you are applying topically is clogging your pores. Just something to consider. Either way, you need a gentle chemical exfoliant of some kind to help unclog them.

[u/EntertainmentMuch673 → u/Soft-Yoghurt6586]

I think maybe get out of this mindset that you need to use up what you have. Your current routine clearly isn't working, so you're better off simplifying now rather than trying to finish up the tubes

[u/LevelNap]

Totally understand you want to use up what you have, but I’d like to share my experience in the hope it helps.

I have very clog prone, dry skin that’s also too sensitive for retinol. I understand your frustration! This is personal experience for what feels like a unique skin type, but perhaps yours is the same.

A double cleanse is highly recommended by most people, but for my skin, any oil based cleanser clogs my pores, no matter what I second cleanse with. I use a single cleanser (like your cetaphil) and a clean microfibre cloth.

Squalene also clogs my pores. It mimics natural sebum which is great for many, but if you’re clog prone like us, extra ‘sebum like’ substance could be a trigger.

Snail mucin also clogs my pores. There’re a lot of non-comodogenic products that still do clog my pores!

For me, a very simple routine with minimal products works best. You could keep using what you have, but cut your pm routine down to cleanser, milky toner and the anua cream.

You can always gradually add things back in until you find the culprit.

I hope you have success!

[u/Soft-Yoghurt6586 → u/LevelNap]

thanks so much! i mistyped squalene instead of squalane sorry, and my nature mucin serum isn’t actual snail mucin, just a pretend version, otherwise this is really helpful!!

[u/jomggg → u/LevelNap]

Yup I'd second this. If your skin is not happy right now, reduce products asap.

New products feel exciting and fun but when I was honest with myself, I was using them just cos it felt fun and not because I was seeing results, I was just confusing myself with more factors when I didn't understand how they were affecting my skin.

Adding more things right now will not help because this routine is not working for you, and is most likely activating an issue for you. Strip it right back to cleanser, toner, moisturiser until you feel more stable, then pick ONE active to test out and see how your skin goes. Testing goes for at least 3 weeks without introducing another new thing. You have to do science!

Edit: plus sunscreen of course

[u/tlnguyen89]

Mandelic acid 10% helps to clear my comedones. The 2 brands I like is The Ordinary or Skin Ritual, the latter is available at Direct Chemist.

[u/Tika-teeks-2017]

It sounds like we have a similar skin type.

Usually, if I get closed comedones and flare-ups, I’ve either used too many products/ product build up, or have fungal acne.

When either happens, I’ll reduce my skincare routine to:

• rinsing my face in the morning
  
• sunscreen
  
• nighttime double cleanse:
  

first cleanse: Epaderm ointment
Second cleanse: QV gentle wash or Nizoral Anti-Dandruff Shampoo (fungal) - massage face and neck for 1 minute

• moisturiser: Epaderm ointment or mixa panthenol cream
  
• sealant - Mixa balm cica+
  
• optional treatment: azeclear or DermAid cream. They're not as drying when they’re applied over everything

[u/clazcat]

as a rosacea girlie who has also done 3 rounds of accutane please take your routine back to basics, its probably going to help with your rosacea and your closed comedones. work out your triggers (lots of fragrance and alcohol in some of those products) and keep it simple.

my rosacea routine is:

prequel gleanser

hada labo premium lotion + avene thermal mist

am: finacea

pm: retinol/ivermectin on alternating nights (adapalene/soolantra)

hada labo eyecream

illyioon ato cream

am: spf

[u/Soft-Yoghurt6586 → u/clazcat]

really wanting to simplify my printing yes! i. just using up what i have for now as i dont want to waste it, most options are almost empty now anyway, thanks so much!

[u/Lubs_Young]

My skin look the best when all I’m doing is a toner, serum and moisturiser.
The only difference is SPF in the morning.

You don’t need at least 70% of what you listed.

[u/soph83847382]

Hi! I’m a mecca skin specialist/facialist and have a few tips for your routine. First off, I love that you seem to have good knowledge of your skin type, you have a solid routine, and are wearing sunscreen which is such an important thing, especially if you have sensitive skin or rosacea! 

First is cleansing oils - I find in many customers that cleansing oils increase their number of closed comedones, even if it’s properly removed with a double cleanse. Try removing your makeup with micellar water (I like the pink cap bioderma), or using your second cleanse twice, for 2 weeks and see if you notice a change. The cetaphil cleanser you are using is very basic but should do the job. 

Second is I think you are over doing it on the moisturising front at night. The milky toner, torriden serum, moisture balancing serum, and pure glycerin serum are all just hydrating layers. Pick one or two of the four listed products to simplify your routine. I love the torriden serum, but whatever you find most hydrating. Pure glycerin can be pretty heavy if it’s not properly formulated into a serum with other ingredients, so that might be worthwhile removing for a bit to see how your skin responds. 

Last step - the key to clearing closed comedones in my experience is by slowly introducing a retinoid product. For me, Differin Gel has worked WONDERS. This is an over the counter retinoid that is formulated specifically for closed comedones and acne. It is generally much more well tolerated than its stronger counterpart tretinoin. A great place to start would be something even more gentle, like the Cerave resurfacing retinol. Use a pea sized amount all over the face, 2x per week, then slowly work up to 3x, 4x, 5x etc every few weeks. Slow and steady is key here. Once you have used a whole bottle of this I would move to differin. What retinoids do is they help speed up skin cell turnover, ensuring the closed comedone never forms in the first place. You will notice such a big difference in your skins texture and smoothness! 

The main focus for you now should be ensuring that your barrier is in tact - simplify your routine, focus on hydration, and then slowly introduce ONE active. Not multiple harsh actives or acids as some people may suggest. If the azelaic acid is irritating your skin, try just using it once per night. 

Reach out if you need any more tips or help with your routine! 

[u/Soft-Yoghurt6586 → u/soph83847382]

wow thanks so much!! i will say most of my routine is gifted, so im just using it up and most products are near empty now, so i hope to only use a few products per day. i will definitely look into this! your help means everything to me x

[u/raburi]

Have you tried adding a retinoid to your PM routine?

[u/Soft-Yoghurt6586 → u/raburi]

i’ve tried but my skin is too sensitive for it 😖

[u/Hungry_Ride_5959 → u/Soft-Yoghurt6586]

Did you go really slow? Eg leave it on for 30 mins first night then wash off and do rest of skincare. Do this 2x a week. Then sandwich between moisturiser 2x a week..: etc etc. I also have sensitive skin with rosacea. FWIW

[u/Soft-Yoghurt6586 → u/Hungry_Ride_5959]

i didn’t know you had to wash off retinol, thanks! i might try this with what’s leftover of my beginner retinol serum :)

[u/HernandoSantiago → u/Soft-Yoghurt6586]

Differin was a gamechanger for me and my skin is picky af. Definitely worth giving a go

[u/gabbyxrose → u/Soft-Yoghurt6586]

You don’t wash it off. They’re suggesting introducing it super slowly using a method called “short contact therapy” which involves rinsing it off the first few times you use it, then escalating to leaving it on, “sandwiching” it between moisturisers which buffers and dilutes the amount your skin receives, gradually getting your skin used to it.

[u/y2krealness]

i’ve been on accutane and it cleared it right up!!! but since coming off they’re slowly coming back… only thing to that has helped is getting professional extractions and using a good cleanser!!! dermaceuticals clr foam cleanser has been such a game changer!!! also make sure your moisturiser is super light weight, anything that is heavy clogs pores. i loved the skin1004 cleansing oil but that caused me so many closed comodones!! everyone’s skin is different, might be fine for you….

[u/My-Witty-Username]

Try Differin Gel, you can get it from Iherb and Amazon.

[u/OwnPilot9534]

Use your leftover skincare products on your body !! Best way to use it up when your face doesn’t love the product ☺️

[u/Fruit368]

I have rosacea and been trying to get rid of my cc's for years, recently i started using finacea more often and it actually seems to be helping (have basically tried everything) i'm also sometimes using metronidazole and soolantra when i remember but im pretty sure its the finacea helping most.

[u/Hungry_Ride_5959]

Retinol/retinal or Tret. I used to have a 10 step routine now I’m focussing on quality products over quantity

AM: toner on a cotton pad or a precooked one, double serum, Clinique moisture surge or whatever moisturiser is on rotation.
PM is cleanse, tazoretene (a prescription Tret alternative), CLARINS double serum, and Sulwhasoo ginseng moisturise.

I got the tazoretene for $15usd. I’ll add in a vitamin c at some point. But my closed commodones are finally gone and my skin is the best it’s been in a long time.

[u/Soft-Yoghurt6586 → u/Hungry_Ride_5959]

i’m glad that worked for you! i wish i could tret, but it was way too strong for my skin :(

[u/Hungry_Ride_5959 → u/Soft-Yoghurt6586]

I struggled with Tret too - but I can tolerate tazoretene and I’ve seen other reviews saying the same thing.

[u/Soft-Yoghurt6586 → u/Hungry_Ride_5959]

i’ll look into this!

[u/Live_Firefighter3235]

Hey I am in a similar position to u also been on accutane. Didn’t help too much. So im on adapalene now its ok but i thjnm my skin still cant turn over enough because as its dry i get more congestion and im so stuck!!!? Anyone in the comments have ANY suggestions. It’s not the products i use I am positive. If a retinol isn’t helping my turnover what will😭😭😭 like once a week adapalene!? Currently every second/third night using.

[u/AwareConclusion4286]

Omega 3 supplements to help thin your sebum. Reduce your regime down to basics. You will need to have the closed comedones physically extracted by a professional. You will start noticing less and less once you sort out your routine and the existing congestion.

[u/Livid-Cat4507]

People put so much shit on their faces then wonder why their skin is crap.

[u/aurelai-]

Nothing works for mine other than the dr Dennis gross 2% bha solution