There’s a lot ofchat these days about sebaceous filaments, how they’re often confused withblackheads and multiple tips and tricks to treat them. Dermalogica’s IrelandEducation Manager Louise O’Brien talks us through what to look for and how totreat your pores for healthy skin.
What aresebaceous filaments?
Sebaceousfilaments are a natural component of your skin and most obvious on thenaturally oiler T zone. Sebaceous filaments line the inside of your pores andhelp move sebum (oil) from your sebaceous (oil producing) glands to the surfaceof your skin. They can be more noticeable on oily skin and during puberty.Pores look ‘open’ and sometimes you can see tiny creamy/yellow filamentsprotruding from the pores. It’s important to note that this is a normal functionof the skin. Pores aren’t blocked or clogged in the same way as when you have ablackhead. Sebaceous filaments do vary in colour and may appear as a grey,light brown or yellow ‘spot’.Sebaceous filaments compared to blackheads
sebaceous filaments vs blackheads
Blackheads,whilst often confused with sebaceous filaments are typically larger and moreraised. The pores are congested with oil, skin cells, dirt and bacteria forminga plug in the pore which is black on the surface. This plug prevents oil frominside the pore moving up onto the surface. A blackhead is classified as a mildform of acne and if left untreated may develop into an inflammatory papule orpustule.
Tips forclearer pores
Whetheryou’re concerned with sebaceous filaments, blackheads or enlarged pores, thereare some everyday skin care tips you can follow to keep pores clear andminimise their appearance to keep skin looking healthy.
Oil cleansers – Dermalogica are big advocates of double cleansing skin daily,starting with a cleansing oil. Oil attracts oil so work in a plant-basedcleansing oil to your congested areas and if you’re concerned with the look ofsebaceous filaments, it can be helpful to massage the oil into the pores for afew minutes to helps break down sebum. Always follow with a second cleanse andtry a face wash with a little hydroxy acid to refine to refine the poresfurther. Louise’s top pick for this is Dermalogica’s PreCleanse CleansingOil (€54), melts make-up and impurities from skin.
Acid basedwashes and exfoliants – Regular exfoliation is keyto clearer skin and Salicylic Acid is the ingredient of choice when it comes tounclogging pores due to its affinity with oil and its ability to exfoliateinside the pores. Either use a daily wash with a little hydroxy acid or a skinpeel a few times a week to refine skin’s texture and pore appearance. TryLiquidPeelfoliant (€74),a potent blend of acids and enzymes smooths theappearance of fine lines while helping to visibly minimise pores and even skintone. Professional-grade at-home peel with a blend of 30% acids and enzymes.
Claybased masques – Using masques with natural clayssuch as Kaolin can help draw out excess oil. Sulphur is another ingredientfound in masques that can help reduce sebum production and draw out impurities.Dermalogica’s Sebum Clearing Masque (€62),helps clear breakouts andminimise premature signs of skin ageing.
Pore refiningformulas – Look for specialist formulas designed toreduce pore appearance with Niacinamide. Along with reducing pore size,Niacinamide offers multiple skin benefits such as brightening and improvedbarrier function. Louise recommendsPorescreen SPF40 (€65) this multitaskingsunscreen delivers SPF 40 protection, while supporting healthy-looking pores,minimising their appearance with a blurring, primer-like effect, and enhancingskin tone with a hint of tint for radiant skin.
things toavoid
Don’t try andsqueeze or extract sebaceous filaments. Rather follow the tips above to keepthe pores as clear and refined as possible.
Pore strips areoften shown to remove blackheads and sebaceous filaments; however, these areusually quite aggressive and can irritate the skin. Again, pores will re-fill,so results are only temporary.
Don’t strip theskin. Oily and congested skin does need deep cleaning and pore clearinghowever, be careful not to strip skin of its essential moisture as dehydrationwill cause more oil production creating a vicious cycle.
There’s a lot ofchat these days about sebaceous filaments, how they’re often confused withblackheads and multiple tips and tricks to treat them. Dermalogica’s IrelandEducation Manager Louise O’Brien talks us through what to look for and how totreat your pores for healthy skin.
What aresebaceous filaments?
Sebaceousfilaments are a natural component of your skin and most obvious on thenaturally oiler T zone. Sebaceous filaments line the inside of your pores andhelp move sebum (oil) from your sebaceous (oil producing) glands to the surfaceof your skin. They can be more noticeable on oily skin and during puberty.Pores look ‘open’ and sometimes you can see tiny creamy/yellow filamentsprotruding from the pores. It’s important to note that this is a normal functionof the skin. Pores aren’t blocked or clogged in the same way as when you have ablackhead. Sebaceous filaments do vary in colour and may appear as a grey,light brown or yellow ‘spot’.
Sebaceous filaments compared to blackheads
sebaceous filaments vs blackheads
Blackheads,whilst often confused with sebaceous filaments are typically larger and moreraised. The pores are congested with oil, skin cells, dirt and bacteria forminga plug in the pore which is black on the surface. This plug prevents oil frominside the pore moving up onto the surface. A blackhead is classified as a mildform of acne and if left untreated may develop into an inflammatory papule orpustule.
Tips forclearer pores
Whetheryou’re concerned with sebaceous filaments, blackheads or enlarged pores, thereare some everyday skin care tips you can follow to keep pores clear andminimise their appearance to keep skin looking healthy.
Oil cleansers – Dermalogica are big advocates of double cleansing skin daily,starting with a cleansing oil. Oil attracts oil so work in a plant-basedcleansing oil to your congested areas and if you’re concerned with the look ofsebaceous filaments, it can be helpful to massage the oil into the pores for afew minutes to helps break down sebum. Always follow with a second cleanse andtry a face wash with a little hydroxy acid to refine to refine the poresfurther. Louise’s top pick for this is Dermalogica’s PreCleanse CleansingOil (€54), melts make-up and impurities from skin.
Acid basedwashes and exfoliants – Regular exfoliation is keyto clearer skin and Salicylic Acid is the ingredient of choice when it comes tounclogging pores due to its affinity with oil and its ability to exfoliateinside the pores. Either use a daily wash with a little hydroxy acid or a skinpeel a few times a week to refine skin’s texture and pore appearance. TryLiquidPeelfoliant (€74),a potent blend of acids and enzymes smooths theappearance of fine lines while helping to visibly minimise pores and even skintone. Professional-grade at-home peel with a blend of 30% acids and enzymes.
Claybased masques – Using masques with natural clayssuch as Kaolin can help draw out excess oil. Sulphur is another ingredientfound in masques that can help reduce sebum production and draw out impurities.Dermalogica’s Sebum Clearing Masque (€62),helps clear breakouts andminimise premature signs of skin ageing.
Pore refiningformulas – Look for specialist formulas designed toreduce pore appearance with Niacinamide. Along with reducing pore size,Niacinamide offers multiple skin benefits such as brightening and improvedbarrier function. Louise recommendsPorescreen SPF40 (€65) this multitaskingsunscreen delivers SPF 40 protection, while supporting healthy-looking pores,minimising their appearance with a blurring, primer-like effect, and enhancingskin tone with a hint of tint for radiant skin.
things toavoid
Don’t try andsqueeze or extract sebaceous filaments. Rather follow the tips above to keepthe pores as clear and refined as possible.
Pore strips areoften shown to remove blackheads and sebaceous filaments; however, these areusually quite aggressive and can irritate the skin. Again, pores will re-fill,so results are only temporary.
Don’t strip theskin. Oily and congested skin does need deep cleaning and pore clearinghowever, be careful not to strip skin of its essential moisture as dehydrationwill cause more oil production creating a vicious cycle.
Dermalogica is available fromDermalogica.ie and local authorized stockists nationwide, and Brown Thomas andArnotts.
Dermalogica is available from Dermalogica.ie and local authorized stockists nationwide, and Brown Thomas and Arnotts.
