When you have acne-prone skin it can feel like you are constantly discovering different types of bumps and texture on your face. From closed comedones to papules to cysts, there are many ways that our skin demonstrates its displeasure at clogged pores.
If you’ve ever felt small, gritty, non-inflamed bumps on your skin that might poke through with the appearance of a grain of sand, you’ve probably encountered sebum plugs.
What Is a Sebum Plug?
Sebum is a natural, oily substance produced by sebaceous glands located beneath the skin’s surface. It may feel like sebum is always a negative thing when it comes to acne, but its primary function is to lubricate our skin, protecting it from dehydration and other environmental stressors.
While sebum does keep our skin soft, supple, and moisturized, sometimes it can be little much. While sebum should flow freely from the sebaceous gland in your pore to the surface of your skin, sebum and dead skin cells can become trapped inside a pore and form a blockage (imagine a small cork) known as a sebum plug.
Most noticeable on oil-prone zones like your nose, forehead, and chin, sebum plugs don’t have a distinct color but might feel like a slight bump or texture with a slightly grainy or gritty sensation when you run your fingers over your skin, especially during cleansing. Left unchecked, these pores clogged with hard sebum can be a precursor to other types of acne lesions, including open comedones (blackheads) and closed comedones (whiteheads).
How to Get Rid of Sebum Plugs?
A proper skincare routines which include regular cleansing, exfoliation, and moisturizing, can help balance your sebum production and minimize the occurrence of pores clogged with hard sebum. Gentle and consistent skincare practices are more likely to yield positive results in reducing sebum plugs than anything short term and drastic. Consider adding the following steps to your skincare routine:
Double Cleansing
A two-step cleansing method can be helpful to dislodge sebum plugs. Start with massaging a cleansing balm or oil onto your dry skin to dissolve sebum and makeup before rinsing. Sometimes if you continue to massage your oil cleanser for a few minutes, you might experience sebum plugs coming out and feeling like “grits” under your fingers.
Klairs Gentle Black Fresh Cleansing Oil with Light Vegetable Oils
Follow with a gentle foaming cleanser to thoroughly cleanse and remove any remaining oil or impurities:
Bioderma Sensibio Micellar Cleansing and Makeup Removing Foaming Gel
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Purifying Foaming Facial Cleanser with Niacinamide
Exfoliation
Adding salicylic acid into your skincare regimen can help with sebum plugs. As a beta-hydroxy acid (BHA), salicylic acid penetrates the oil in the pores and facilitates the removal of dead skin cells and excess sebum. Using salicylic acid liquid exfoliant two to three times a week, or a salicylic cleanser, can prevent pore blockages.
Paulas Choice Skin Perfecting BHA Liquid Exfoliant with 2% Salicylic Acid
Retinoids
Retinoids are derivatives of vitamin A that accelerate your skin’s natural cell turnover process, helping clear pores and reduce sebum plugs. Whether it’s an over-the-counter adapalene gel or prescription-strength tretinoin, make sure to introduce it slowly to avoid irritation.
If you use retinoids, wearing sunscreen is a must due to your skin’s increased photosensitivity.
The Ordinary Retinal 0.2% Emulsion High-Strength Stabilized Retinaldehyde Serum
Hero Cosmetics Rescue Retinol Cream with 0.75% Encapsulated Retinol Blend
Lightweight Hydration
Look for a non-comedogenic lightweight moisturizer or gel moisturizer and hydrating products that will support your skin’s barrier without further clogging your pores.
Clinique Dramatically Different Hydrating Jelly Facial Moisturizer
EltaMD Skin Recovery Lightweight Moisturizer for Damaged Skin Barrier with Amino Acids
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Sensitive Fluide Lightweight Protective Moisturizer with Niacinamide
Professional Interventions
Before starting any new skincare routine or product, especially for persistent or concerning skin issues, you should always consult a dermatologist. If you need more immediate results or have persistent sebum plugs, you can consider professional extractions by a licensed esthetician or dermatologist. Picking at your skin yourself could put you at risk for scarring and these experts have the tools and knowledge for safe extraction.
While small, sebum plugs are at the root of other types of acne and dealing with them promptly can prevent further acne complications. They may have a pore reputation, but with consistent care you can remove sebum plugs and prevent them from coming back.
