How We Researched & Tested
To compile this list, our team of editors and contributors spent hours researching the best products on the market in this category, evaluating their key featureslike ingredients, shade range, or designin addition to reviews from customers and other trusted sources. Our team also incorporated their own personal experiences testing products in their own lives. We then used these insights from our research and testing to assign a star rating from one to five to certain products on the list
La Roche Posay Effaclar Medicated Gel Cleanser
La Roche Posays Medicated Gel Cleanser is a dermatologist-tested face wash that works best in improving the issues of your oily skin type. It is also suitable to sensitive skin.
Salicylic acid in this cleanser goes an extra mile in penetrating the pores and exfoliating them. It targets the excess oil, enlarged pores, blackheads and breakouts.
It is an allergy-tested and paraben-free formula that cleanses your skin perfectly. The lipo-hydroxy acid in this face wash enables the exfoliation of cells. Another amazing feature is its clarifying toner that targets the acne and reduces it up to 60% in almost 2 weeks.
You can get cooling effect on your skin through Menthol in this product. A MUST try product!
- Not an entirely fragrance-free formula
Kiehls Ultra Facial Oil Free Cleanser
Best Features:
Key Ingredients: You didnt think we were done with Kiehls products, did you? I had to highlight one more amazing cleanser because it is packed full of amazing ingredients.
This cleanser contains desert plant extract, which contains high levels of potassium known to hydrate the face.
It also contains lemon fruit extract, which has high levels of Vitamin C which freshen the skin!
Doesnt Dehydrate: A common problem with cleansers designed for oily skin is that they might dehydrate your skin in an effect to reduce the oils.
However, this cleanser is perfect for those that might struggle with oily and dehydrated skin. It is made with a hydrating formula that eliminates excess oil, but it does not strip the skin of its necessary oils.
Recommended Reading: Paula’s Choice Gel Cleanser
The Right Way To Wash Your Face
Use your facial cleanser in the morning and evening. If you wear a lot of makeup, its safer to double cleanse. Rubbing your face wash harder doesnt increase its efficacy. It has the potential to cause micro-tears in the skin.
This may cause sensitivity, inflammation, redness, and even breakouts. Apply and rinse off very gently, then pat your face dry. More importantly, remember that facial cleansing means getting rid of unwanted oil as well as some wanted oil.
You barely have any control over it. It doesnt matter how hydrating your cleanser is, you should never rely on it for moisturizing. So wash your face properly and always moisturize your skin after cleaning it.
How Many Competitors Does It Have

Many different factors go into answering this question. The number of competitors can vary greatly depending on the best cleanser for large pores and blackheads you are dealing with and the scope of your business model. Knowing how these factors can affect your market share is important when deciding whether or not you should enter a new market.
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Pore Minimizing Tip #: Book Yourself A Facial
Regular facials that focus on cleaning out your pores and eliminating congestion can go a long way in reducing the appearance of pores, says Dr. Yeh. Two great options to try? HydraFacial and DiamondGlow. These non-aggressive facials are done in med spas and dermatologist offices and can temporarily improve the appearance of pores.
HydraFacials allow for deeper delivery of active ingredients, like glycolic and salicylic acid, post-treatment, which can further contribute to glowing skin, a reduction in hyperpigmentation, and the appearance of smaller pores, Dr. Marchbein says. While DiamondGlow uses a special exfoliating tip to resurface skin, pull debris from pores, and infuse skin with special serums to make your look super glowy.
A Bottle Of Caudalies Vinopure Natural Salicylic Acid Pore Minimizing Serum A Lightweight Pore
Promising review:I was hoping to not break this five-star streak this product has got going on and I honestly cant. Im an esthetician so of course, I am a skincare junkie and beyond! I try everything, literally, I should have my own YouTube channel to review products! This serum is crazy amazing, I havent used it for too long but a good three weeks and I swear its magic. I had a large zit I could feel coming up on the bridge of my nose and it was gone the net morning. My pores are less noticeable. Nothing gets rid of pores and my skin is glowing! I think this is my best spot treatment and pore treatment ever! I may have only been three weeks Im pretty sure anyways!NycoleMUA
Get it from Sephora for $49.
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Glycolix Elite Glycolic Acid Treatment Pads Best Anti
These are some of the most affordable glycolic acid pads. For an affordable price, you get 60 pads. Theyre really great for a gentle yet powerful exfoliation.
Besides the 20% glycolic acid, there are other ingredients to get us very excited: witch hazel, retinyl palmitate , vitamin E, ascorbyl palmitate , and CO-Q10 .
Based on these ingredients we can conclude one thing: these pads are not only very good at keeping our pores clean, they also are amazing for fighting fine lines and wrinkles.
You can target some of the most important skincare concerns just by using these affordable exfoliation pads.
Theyre very easy to use, you just need to run the pad all over your face until its dry. Avoid the eye area completely.
I recommend the pads with 20% glycolic acid but you can also go for the 10% or 15% concentration.
Start by using them 1-2 times a week and then increase to using them 3 times a week. Some users end up exfoliating with the Glycolix Elite Glycolic Acid Treatment Pads every night.
They will last quite a long time considering that you get 60 pads.
Neutrogena Pore Refining Exfoliating Facial Cleanser
Best Features:
2 Step Cleansing Formula: This cleanser makes your skin smooth and clean through two steps.
First, its exfoliating microbeads remove the dead skin cells, and then the alpha-hydroxy formula goes deep into the pores to remove any impurities!
Proven to Shrink Pores: Many customers claim that their pores looked visibly smaller after using this cleanser for just one week.
Neutrogena claims to shrink your pores to half their original size, which is perfect for those of us with large pores!
Non-Comedogenic: This cleanser is also non-comedogenic, and it is soap-free!
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A Bottle Of Moon Juice Acid Potion A Resurfacing Exfoliator That Can Deeply Nourish While Actively Resurfacing The Skin With Five Acids And Botanical Support Which Also Help With Natural Cell Turnover And To Minimize The Appearance Of Pores And Fine Lines
It’s vegan and cruelty-free!
Promising review: “Heaven sent!! I use this morning and night, and it has improved the texture of my skin times a million! Dark spots are decreasing and my skin is softer and brighter. I get compliments all the time. Ive been using this product for almost a month, I purchased it to heal and recover my acne damaged skin from scars to dark spots. II will be using this product for as long as possible.” Detron N.
Get it from Moon Juice for $42.
Best Drugstore Cleanser: La Roche Posay Effaclar Acne Face Cleanser
La Roche-Posay La Roche-Posay Effaclar Medicated Gel Acne Face Wash
There’s nothing better than a product that gives you all the benefits of a luxury formula without the luxury price tag. This cleanser features a mixture of zit-busting salicylic acid and moisturizing glycerin to unclog pores and get rid of excess dirt and oils without drying out the skin.
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Best Blackhead Treatments: How To Get Rid Of Blackheads
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To treat blackheads at home, you might find yourself perusing the aisles of shops like , Ulta, Walmart and Target, inundated by the amount of skin care products that claim they remove blackheads, like pore strips, face scrubs and face washes. But how do you narrow in on effective products that can help decongest your pores and minimize the appearance of enlarged ones? To find out, we interviewed board-certified dermatologists about the best blackhead-fighting ingredients and what really happens to blackheads if theyre not removed. MDs also discussed the benefits and limitations of blackhead-fighting products, how to safely and effectively remove blackheads at home we also got their product recommendations. If your at-home routine isnt cutting it, consult with a board-certified dermatologist and potentially sign up for professional extractions and chemical peels under the guidance of a trained expert, advised board-certified dermatologist , MD.
How Should You Approach Adjusting Your Skincare Routine

Beyond investing in and upholding a good skincare routine, both of our experts advise you to go slow, simple, and gentle. Your skin likely won’t react well to a huge overhaul of your bathroom cabinet, so don’t overdo it. Moving at a steady pace also means that progress and results are cumulative rather than immediate your skin can’t magically change overnight.
Other general tips from Fernandez include drinking lots of water, washing your face in both the morning and evening, and removing your makeup. However, you can always speak with your dermatologist about your skin concerns, and especially if you’re not sure where to start or are experiencing serious skin issues.
Another way to leave it to the professionals is getting treatments at a clinic. Neither expert advises trying DIY skin treatments at home. It’s much safer to have a dermatologist or aesthetician tend to your skin. But if your skin overall feels congested and you notice your pores clogging up, Fernandez suggests pampering yourself with a light scrub, enzyme mask, or mud mask.
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Cetaphil Oily Skin Cleanser
Best Features:
pH Balanced: This cleanser will not only remove the excess oil from your face but will also restore your natural pH balance.
Perfect for Sensitive Skin: This cleanser is also made with sensitive skin in mind because it is non-comedogenic!
Removes 99% of Excess Oil: As you can see, this cleanser is not messing around when it comes to restoring your face to its natural oils without all of the excesses that make your face look oily.
This cleanser is proven to remove almost 100% of all excess oils on your face!
Best Features:
Reduces Discoloration: One stand-out feature of this cleanser is that it is made to reduce discoloration on your face and gives your face an even and youthful glow.
It also helps with acne scarring, which so many of us struggle with. If that is you, this cleanser is a game-changer.
Low Maintenance: Another great feature of this cleanser is that it does not need to be used every day. It is designed to only be used every few days to replace the daily cleansing of your face.
Reduces Inflammation: This cleanser also reduces the appearance of redness and inflammation on your skin because of its glycolic acid formula!
Loreal Pure Clay Facial Cleanser With Red Algae
LOreals Pure Clay Cleanser is made with not one, but three pure clays that draw dirt, oil, and impurities out of pores resulting in less visible imperfections after use. The addition of red algae helps further refine the appearance of skin due to its antioxidant effects as well as acting as an effective exfoliant. Perfect for those of us on a budget!
Read Also: 21 Day Juice Cleanse Plan
Pca Skin Bpo 5% Cleanser
The PCA SKIN BPO 5% Cleanser contains a number of beneficial ingredients for oily skin and large pores, including aloe, cucumber, and chamomile which can help reduce inflammation, as well as calm and hydrate skin. Benzoyl peroxide helps to prevent breakouts by penetrating pores and fighting the bacteria that cause acne, while phytic acid helps to exfoliate and reveal brighter and more radiant skin.
A Bottle Of Benefit Cosmetics The Porefessional Face Primer Is A Lightweight Balm Designed Specifically To Quickly Minimize The Appearance Of Pores And Fine Lines For Smooth Skin
Promising review: “If this product isn’t working for you it’s probably because you’re sliding it all over your face. It’s like a pore filler so you apply a little on your finger and the key is to DAB it on to the areas where your pores are most visible. I dab it on all my problem areas and then wait a minute so I know it’s set, and then I use my Smashbox Photo Finish on the rest of my face. Another tip: for people with large pores when you apply your cream or liquid foundation the key is to use a circular buffing brush and move in circular motions on your cheeks and around your nose. Go clock-wise and then counter-clockwise repeatedly until your foundation is blended and you’ll see your pores literally disappear! When you set it with powder don’t use a brush in those areas either. Take a powder puff or sponge and dab the powder on to your areas where you just concealed the pores, and then dust off the excess with a fluffy brush. You will see the biggest difference in your skin I swear!” 50shades
Get it from Sephora for $13+ .
Read Also: Face Cleansing Cloths For Acne
Bareminerals Poreless Clay Cleanser
| Poreless Clay Cleanser.
Stop blackheads before they start with the bareMinerals Poreless Clay Cleanser, the ideal face wash for oily skin. This clay-based cleanser purifies and refines the skin by clearing excess oil. Its formulated with superfruit acids including glycolic, tartaric, lactic, and citric acids to minimize the look of pores. Along with prebiotics in the form of sugar cane and maple to aid skin health, this face wash is fragrance free and contains no nasty chemicals.
bareMinerals is passionate about helping individuals feel and look good. They focus on clean, conscious beauty products that are not only good for the skin but benefit the community and planet. They achieve this through the Power of Good Fund, a charity created to empower women through education.
The charity is funded by 1% of the price of every purchase. To support the planet, bareMinerals offers a give back get back scheme to encourage consumers to send back their empty products to be recycled and earn loyalty points. What more could you want in a face wash?
Best Oil: Epara Natural Cleansing Oil
Epara Natural Cleansing Oil
If you have extra dry skin or a lot of makeup to break down, a cleansing oil might be your best bet. This one uses a group of non-comedogenic ones as well as licorice root extract to brighten, plankton extract to even out skin’s tone, and ylang ylang to soothe. And if it wasn’t clear: This will not clog your pores.
Read Also: How To Cleanse Body Of Cigarette Smoking
Paulas Choice 2% Bha Liquid Exfoliant 4 Oz One Of The Best Pore Cleansers
There arent many other skincare products that can qualify as being better than this one. What is it and how can it help you?
Paulas Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant is a chemical exfoliator with a high concentration of salicylic acid.
It contains 2% salicylic acid, a high concentration for over-the-counter products. Another notable ingredient is green tea and thats about it.
Paulas Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant targets quite a lot of problems:
- large pores
This is pretty much the complete package when it comes to shopping for the best pore cleanser.
It can create sun sensitivity so, its best to apply it in the evening.
You can also skip on using a toner if youre using it or you can opt for using a hydrating facial toner.
Plus, the price is really good, too. This exfoliant will last a long time, the 4 oz quantity is quite good for this price.
If you are completely new to exfoliation or to using salicylic acid topically, perform a small test to see how your skin handles it and then start by using it once every other day.
Salicylic acid is good for all skin types, including sensitive skin. It hasnt irritated my skin or dried it out but its best to be cautious.
Good Face Wash For Blackheads: Derma E Acne Cleanser

Skin-loving ingredients that are aimed at cleaning pores and removing acne is what you will find in this cleansing wash. With regular usage, it will boost the production of your own skins oil which in turn will reduce breakouts and blackheads while balancing your complexion. not just limited to pores and acne, but it also does the job of fighting bacterial infection. This is a great cleanser for blemish-prone skin and calms and soothes irritated skin.
- Use it daily to unclog pores by removing debris and built-up oil.
- Contains salicylic acid that helps in shedding skin cells easily.
- A 100% vegan formula with natural ingredients such as Tea Tree, Willow Bark, Rosewood, Lavender and Chamomile.
- Free from parabens, sulfates, mineral oil, gluten, GMOs, lanolin and is also cruelty-free.
A rich creamy formula to fight off unwanted bacteria off your skin is what this cleanser is. Some deep down cleansing to remove pore-clogging dirt particles is how Noxzema Ultimate Daily Deep Pore cleanser functions. It has been tested by dermatologists and is completely safe for people with sensitive skin.
- You will get a clearer skin with deep cleansing if you use it regularly.
- It is oil-free and also eliminates oil-created shine.
- Aimed at taking care of acne but also helps in providing relief to wounds, rashes, or cuts.
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