Congested Skin? Try These Tips
Do you feel like your skincare routine is just not cutting it? Are you waking up every morning with the same congestion and clogged pores? Read on because we're sharing our top tips to help.
It sucks when our skin isn’t working with us. It can leave us feeling depressed, self-conscious and frustrated.
That's why today, we are unpacking what congested skin is, what causes it, and our top tips and solutions to get your skin back on track.
How do I know if my skin is congested?
Here are some good signs your skin is congested. You:
- Are repeatedly suffering from breakouts in the same area (chin, nose, forehead),
- Have an oily t-zone (blackheads and whiteheads) or;
- Are finding your skin texture is lumpy and uneven.
Why is my skin congested?
There can be several reasons why our skin becomes congested. The most common culprits are hormones, diet, and an improper skincare routine.
How can I fix it?
I’m sure you’ve heard this a million times before but (unfortunately!) it’s true; cleaning up your diet is really important.
Cutting back on processed food, sugar, and alcohol will be really helpful in clearing up your skin and improving your overall complexion.
Glowing skin really does come from within so monitoring your diet and adding those extra vegetables will make a difference.
Unfortunately, our hormones are admittedly harder to control. But the best thing we can recommend is to ensure that you are keeping up a great skincare routine, with a healthy diet, plenty of water and regularly washing your sheets and towels.
The good news is a lot of this is in your control so….
What skincare should I be using?
Let’s start with cleansers. It’s really important to get this step right because it's the step that sets up the rest of your skincare. Unfortunately, using the wrong type of cleansers can aggravate many skin issues, including irritation and a damaged barrier.
That why we want to stay away from anything too harsh and stick with simple and effective cleansers.
If double cleansing isn’t already a part of your nightly routine then we really encourage this as your first step.
Starting with an oil-based cleanser will help to remove all of your makeup, excess oil and sebum that has built up throughout the day.
Follow this with a soft powder or foam cleanse to ensure that your face is properly clean before you apply the rest of your skincare.
New to double cleansing? Tune into the Korean Beauty Show podcast here to find out what it's all about:
Double Cleansing Duos We Love
For Sensitive, Dry, Mature Skin
Subi Bare Skin Balm – ingredients include Vitamin E, Lemon Myrtle Leaf, Sea Buckthorn Oil
Subi Brightening Powder Cleanser– ingredients include Centella Asiatica, Ceramides and Licorice
For Oily, Acne Prone & Combination Skin
Subi Bare Skin Balm– ingredients Sea Buckthorn Fruit Oil, Citrus Nobilis (Mandarin Orange) Peel Oil
Jelly Ko Cinnamon Toast Sugar Scrub Foam– ingredients include Ceramides, Black Sugar Extract, Vitamin E
After more Korean cleanser suggestions? Tune into the Korean Beauty Show podcast for more here:
Toners For Congested Skin
Sometimes when our skin feels congested, we want to pair back the skincare so we don’t ‘do too much’. This is totally valid! However, a toner is still going to be a vital step in your routine.
When the skin is congested you want to look for a toner that appropriately hydrates while also offering skin clearing properties. If you hold off on toners or moisturisers and try to starve the skin of moisture you may end up producing more oil and worsening the congestion.
Toners we love
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Beauty of Joseon Green Plum Refreshing Toner AHA + BHA – Ingredient’s include Plum Water, Mung Bean Seed Extract, AHA, BHA
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Some by MI AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner – Ingredients include Tea Tree Extract, Papaya Extract, Witch Hazel Extract
Skin Treatments
The following products are all great treatments to use to combat congestion. Clay Masks purify the skin and unblock pores while the power liquids work to effectively exfoliate and clear the skin.
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COSRX Whitehead Power Liquid– Ingredients include Hyaluronic Acid, Niacinamide
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COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid – Ingredients include Willow Bark, Niacinamide
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Subi Holo Dream Pore Minimising Mask– Ingredients Include Kakadu Plum
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Innisfree Jeju Volcanic Pore Clay Mask– Ingredients include Jeju Volcanic Clay, Kaolin
Moisturisers
Getting your moisturiser right when your skin is congested is going to be super important. While you do want to avoid anything too heavy you need to make sure that your skin is hydrated and soothed. The following creams are great for healing and balancing the skin.
APLB Healing Moisture Snail Cream– this beloved Korean beauty moisturiser has some ideal skin soothing ingredients, including snail mucin, Beta Glucan and Macademia Seed Oil. Check it out at
Apieu Madecassoside Cream - this is a cult favourite of Korean teens because it is made for congested and acne prone skin. The most active compound found in this cream is CICA (Centella Asiatica) which is packed with beneficial skin properties.
Illiyoon Ceramide Ato Concentrate Cream - Made without any fragrance this cream is amazing for those with sensitive skin. This formula is cruelty free and dermatologically tested. Star ingredients include ceramides and ginseng.
Still Looking for More on How To Treat Congested Skin?
Looking for more personalised tips on how to treat congested skin?Simply reach out to one of our friendly staff at STYLE STORY and we will help curate the perfect routine for you.
Congested Skin? Try These Tips
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