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Blemishes can be caused by a variety of things, and are a fact of life. But choosing the right skincare products can help you keep breakouts at arm’s length. Blemishes happen to all of us. But to some of us, they happen more often than not. We call ourselves blemish-prone. And in addition to our usual skincare routines for morning and night, we make active choices about the products we use to make sure blemishes stay away.The word blemish, from the French blessmiss—to make angry—might be the most polite way to refer to many types of skin blemishes like acne, pimples, zits, and all of the other names we ascribe to those skin reactions that cause small unusual bumps. A bit ironique, considering that the word we now associate with acne connotes an imperfection or something else wrong. And while acne can be caused by imbalances in the skin, it’s common enough for all of us not to make it such a big deal. These are not mountains. They’re even much smaller than molehills.Still, those who deal with blemish- or acne-prone skin know that not all skincare products are created for the same skin type. All of us need to choose the right cleanser and moisturizer for our skin, but how we do so is up to us—and, usually, to the specifics of our skin’s behavior. A dermatologist should be your first stop on your skincare journey, but the following guide can help shed a little light on the acne-prone skin type, and some of the common skincare choices (and the optimal acne skincare routine!) made by those who have it. What is blemish-prone skin? Blemish-prone skin is another term for oily skin, which is one of the major skin types. Oily skin is usually categorized by skin that produces more sebum than so-called “normal” skin, but there are a few ways to glean more information about how your skin behaves at baseline.“Oil” is a poetic name for sebum, the waxy substance made of lipids like cholesterol, squalane, and glycerides that is secreted from sebaceous glands that sit within pores and hair follicles. Sebaceous glands are an important mechanism that our skin uses to moisturize and protect itself. Many of our sebaceous glands can be found on our faces and scalps, though there are a few places we don’t have sebaceous glands—like on our lips, or the bottoms of our feet.Sebum is a protective substance that helps to seal moisture by shoring up our skin barrier. In other words, it’s a good thing to have. But those with oily skin can have too much of it, and too much can lead to a higher incidence of breakouts. While oily skin can be a genetic trait, it can also be influenced by the environment around us—the climate, for instance—and our own behaviors—like how we take care of our skin. How do blemishes occur? You’re unlikely to find the term “blemish” in dermatology coursework. Generally, when we’re talking about a blemish, we’re talking about a form of acne, which is described most concisely as a blocked hair follicle.The pores that dot our skin are small channels that house sebaceous glands and hair follicles; they help traffic sebum up and out of skin. When sebum and dead skin clogs a pore, it may become what is called “common acne”, though there are a few types.Blackheads and whiteheads are caused by sebum buildup, and are distinguished by whether or not they’re open (and black) or closed (and white). When an infectious bacteria is introduced, it can cause a more robust infection, resulting in other forms of acne like papules and pustules that are painful to the touch. If you need help identifying what kind of blemish has popped up on you, head to your nearest dermatologist’s office to find out. What are the most important blemish skincare steps? Perhaps the most important thing to do in the face of acne is: Not panic! Breakouts happen to all of us, and usually fix themselves on their own. But if you identify with the oily skin type, and find yourself devoting more time to quelling breakouts than you’d like, you might want to consider some of the skincare products for oily skin, which are popular among those with acne-prone skin. A few common switches include:Cleansing with a gel.Dermatologists at the University of Florida Health once proclaimed that “the most important thing you can do for oily skin is to keep your skin clean.” Those with oily skin may want a cleansing formula with more reach than surface-level face washes—something that can cleanse pores deeply, ensuring they remain clear of acne-causing buildup. Gel cleansers are usually the ones for the job. Water-based gel cleansers are slippery, clear, and tend to foam up. Tatcha’s brand new Matcha Cleanse is a soapless gel that corporates Japanese botanical ingredients—like a powdered green tea that nourishes with antioxidants, or a coix seed with detoxifying chemical powers—to wash and balance out oily skin. After rinsing, skin feels clean, but not stripped of essential moisture—and slick oily spots are likely to have disappeared.Exfoliating with acids.There’s a reason that the inventors of alpha hydroxy acids have been honored all over the world. Their contribution to skincare includes one of the most popular exfoliating acids of all time—and it’s a boon for those with oily skin. AHAs, as they’re known, help to “peel” the skin by breaking down the bonds between old and new skin cells. Exfoliation is essential for all skin types, but the ease of AHAs and their efficacy in removing dead skin makes them great for oily skin. They’re commonly recommended to those with oily and acne-prone skin, especially in the form of a daily treatment. A product like the Texture Tonic, which takes the form of a lightweight daily toner, allows you to fit gentle exfoliation into your regular skincare routine—right between cleansing and moisturizing. Its AHAs come from a cornucopia of fruit sources proven to resurface uneven and dull skin—leaving it smooth and radiant. Moisturizing with water Sure, the idea of moisturizing with nothing but water may sound counterintuitive, or downright impossible. And yet it's the animating idea behind the Water Cream, Tatcha’s best-selling moisturizer for oily skin. This lightweight, oil-free cream has a bursting effect when applied, flooding the skin with vital and necessary hydration. It’s also beloved for its powerful superplant ingredients that address traits commonly found in oily skin, like antioxidant-rich wild rose (which has the benefit of smoothing the appearance of large pores) and anti-inflammatory heartleaf extract (a natural azelaic acid alternative). Masking with clayWhen it comes to natural ingredients that help oily skin, you can’t beat clay. Clay helps absorb excess oil, and is said to also draw impurities out of the skin. Anyone who has used a clay mask can attest to its drying powers, which is why it’s not usually a daily ingredient. Instead, it's suited for more irregular use, like in a face mask. The Clarifying Clay Mask, formulated as a treatment for oily skin, uses marine mineral-rich kucha clay sourced from the islands of Okinawa. For centuries prior, Okinawan women have cherished kucha clay for its superb oil-absorbing properties, using it as a hair powder or face mask. When mixed with volcanic ash and exfoliating Japanese konjac, it makes for smoother, clearer skin in no more than three minutes. 180 seconds per week may not alone calm oily or blemish-prone skin, but good holistic skincare habits will.

They happen to anyone, anytime, anyplace. But handling a blemish can be an easy task, when you can correctly identify what kind of blemish it is. As sure as rainy days and technical difficulties, blemishes happen. Those luckiest among us experience them only rarely. But for most people, blemishes are as common as anything else. You reading this may even be experiencing one right now.In fact, blemishes are so common as to warrant almost no concern. They’re usually signs that your skin is doing its job. The complex, layered fabric of skin facilitates many processes that are crucial to protect us from environmental aggressors, and if a blemish is a breach in the system, it’s also a sign that the breach is being taken care of. Still, like rainy days and technical difficulties, blemishes can come at inconvenient times. But they can be markedly easier to treat, sometimes even using skincare products you already have on hand.The first step in treating a blemish is identifying it, which is easier said than done: Though there are only a handful of types of skin blemishes, some can closely mirror each other—and even be caused by the same underlying issue. The best way to ID a blemish is to take it to your local dermatologist, who can also advise on a specific treatment plan. The following guide can help you understand a little more about what blemishes are. A primer on blemishesWhat is a blemish? The word as we know it is practically ancient, dating back to the Middle English period as a verb, and crystallizing into a noun (meaning flaw) by 1500, according to the Oxford English Dictionary. It’s much older than its siblings pimple and zit, even besting acne by some two hundred years.Blemishes, pimples, zits, acne: They all describe the same basic thing, which is a blocked pore or hair follicle that becomes infected. This kind of infection can be caused by a variety of things, usually stray bacteria. As the skin’s defense system kicks into gear, the blockage causes an immune response, and becomes inflamed. Voila: A blemish. (From the French “blemiss”)But not all blemishes are the same, and their appearance can give clues about what kind of blemish they are—and, maybe, how to quell it. The six types of blemishesDermatologists typically distinguish between six types of blemishes. We’ll spare you the photographic imagery, and offer a brief description of the common traits of each kind.BlackheadsTrue to their name, blackheads appear as dark, tiny spots. They’re caused by sebum buildup in the pore, also known as oil, which is a light and waxy substance but turns dark when solidified and exposed to the air. Keeping that in mind, it’s easy to remember that these dark, black spots are caused by oil and they often appear in groups. WhiteheadsIn contrast to their similarly-named siblings, whiteheads appear as white dots, ringed in red. According to the Cleveland Clinic, they’re usually caused by a mixture of dead skin and sebum, and they seal up over and over to form a “comedone.” These are often commonly called closed comedones, while blackheads are open comedones. PustulesPustules look almost like angrier whiteheads. Often inflamed, accompanied by a filling of pus (rather than dead skin and sebum) and bright redness, they are usually signs of an infection. They are non-infectious, but should be checked out by a doctor. PapulesLike pustules, papules are a form of inflammatory acne. But their appearance is much quieter in comparison, mostly forming underneath the skin, sometimes even taking on the skin’s color (instead of an inflamed red). A papule is unlikely to have a pus-filled tip, says the Cleveland Clinic. The upper body, but especially the face, is where papules tend to form. NodulesNodules, or nodular acne, is a severe form of acne that occurs deep within the skin. While they can be seen and felt at the surface of the skin—they’re hard, and often painful—they don’t break the surface, and may be bound both above and below by otherwise healthy skin. Dermatologists don’t know exactly what causes nodular acne, but posit a combination of genetic and environmental factors. It’s wise to get any acne checked out by a doctor, but especially nodular acne. CystsCystic acne is referred to by the Mayo Clinic as the most severe form of inflammatory acne. These are softer than nodules, because they’re filled with fluid, and they occur within the skin, at the dermal level. Dermatologists are best equipped to diagnose and treat cystic acne. Skin can also play host to non-acneic cysts. Milia is a common type of cyst that appears as a small, hard bump but isn’t inflamed. The result of an abundance of trapped keratin, it doesn’t form in a pore, but appears lodged in the skin like a small pearl.Do you have blemish-prone skin?There are a few main skin types that categorize our skin’s intrinsic qualities, such as how dry or oily it is at baseline. Those with oily skin, whose faces are likely to produce more waxy sebum than it needs to self moisturize (and often feel slick or shiny as a result), are typically regarded as more acne- or blemish-prone than other skin types and should consider starting an acne skincare routine.To gauge how oily your skin might be, we recommend two tests. For the first, all you’ll need is your bare face and your cleanser. After cleansing your face, but without performing the rest of your skincare routine, wait 30 minutes and examine your skin for signs of oil. Now wait another 30 minutes and observe again. If your skin is oily in some places or all over, you may have combination or oily skin.The other test simply requires a blotting sheet, which you can tap on your skin to remove oil. You can use the blotting sheet on different areas of your face, and hold it up to the light to see how oily that area is. If the sheet is saturated with oil, you may be blemish-prone. But talk to a doctor to confirm your suspicions. Essential skincare for blemishesThere is no one-product-solves-all for blemishes, because there are many kinds of blemishes. (And many kinds of faces.) If acne is a concern, however, you might want to consider adjustments to your daily skincare routine that are more suited to oily, blemish-prone skin. A few common staples of blemish care include: Pore-clearing cleansing. Most face washes are formulated to strip away dirt and debris from skin—the same dirt and debris that could contribute to the formation of blemishes—but fewer are made with ingredients suited for oily skin. This was part of the brief behind Tatcha’s Matcha Cleanse, a soapless gel face wash that helps to balance skin’s oil levels. Its ingredient lineup includes matcha, known for reducing acne, and controlling oil and shine all day long. Acids all the way. Exfoliants are often divided up into two categories, physical exfoliants and chemical exfoliants, and both can be suitable for managing acne-prone skin. But acids, like alpha hydroxy acid, are especially good at breaking down bonds between old and new skin cells to resurface skin (and help keep pores unobstructed). The AHAs found in Tatcha’s Texture Tonic are derived from various fruits, and along with pore-tightening wild rose and niacinamide, help to smooth skin, and bring out its radiance. Water-weight moisture. A heavy, occlusive moisturizer is a dream for some skin types—and a nightmare for acne-prone ones. What these skin types want is something lighter, closer to water, and they can find it in The Water Cream. This unique moisturizer bursts on contact with skin, flooding it with essential hydration. A cocktail of pore-refining ingredients, including wild rose, make this moisturizer beloved by all, but is the best moisturizer for those with oilier skin. Blemishes are temporary; good skincare habits last a lot longer.

We can’t keep blemishes from happening, but we can make informed decisions about how we handle them when they come. This blemish treatment guide can help you get rid of them for now. Try as we might, we can’t avoid blemishes. Even those of us who devoutly observe skincare rituals, including proper cleansing and moisturization, are likely to deal with the occasional zit. These uninvited guests are inevitable; it’s easier to think of them like the weather, coming and going as they please.There are a few reasons why blemishes occur. The term blemish is a floral euphemism for acne, which is, at its most basic definition, inflammation of the sebaceous glands. These glands are tucked deep within the pores on our face, and are crucial to skin’s self-regulation. But like all mechanisms in our world, they can be subject to break downs or clogs.The good news is that acne itself is a sign that your skin has caught the problem, and is developing an immune response to take care of things. By the time you can see a pimple, it's well on its way to healing. But certain skincare choices can help calm down breakouts—or extend the time between blemish breakouts—if you know what to use, and when to use it. What are blemishes? Before we talk about blemishes, which are actually acne, we need to talk about oil, which is actually sebum—a waxy, slippery liquid made of fatty lipids that is secreted from within our pores. More specifically, sebum comes from sebaceous glands, and it’s here where the root of acne can usually be found. Sebaceous glands are all over our faces and scalps, but are absent from a few places where we don’t need constant self-moisturization—like our lips, or the bottoms of our feet.Acne occurs when dead skin cells or too much sebum clogs a pore. Usually, this results in a simple whitehead or blackhead. But an ill-timed infection located within a sebaceous gland, pore, or hair follicle can attract a more robust inflammatory response—and result in a more intense pimple. Knowing how to identify your blemish is the first step in getting rid of it. Are there different kinds of blemishes? ID’ing a blemish is easier said than done. The best and most foolproof way to identify a blemish on your skin is to take it to a dermatologist, where they can examine it and offer their advice, including recommendations for treatment. There are a handful of kinds of blemishes, but many of them can closely mirror one another in appearance, and can even be caused by the same underlying issue.Comedones, like whiteheads and blackheads. The most basic kind of acne is one you’re probably very familiar with: Open or closed comedones, or clogged pores, also known as whiteheads and blackheads. Blackheads are clogged pores that are open—the oxygen around us makes the dead skin and sebum clog appear dark—while whiteheads are clogged pores that are closed.Inflammatory acne, like pustules or papules. Pustules and papules, which may be redder than run-of-the-mill comedones, also signal a stronger inflammatory reaction—and may come filled with pus. These should always be checked out by a doctor.Deep acne, like nodules or cysts. The most intense form of inflammatory acne might be nodular or cystic, and occur deeper than at the skin’s surface—in the precious and delicate dermal layer. Nodules and cysts may be buried under a layer of inflammation in the skin, and can be hard to access on one’s own. All acne should be examined by a dermatologist if it becomes painful or otherwise concerning, and nodular and cystic acne should be no exception. Do I have blemish-prone skin?Blemish-prone skin is another term for oily skin, which is one of the major skin types. Oil is necessary for our skin, because it helps us seal in moisture, repairing our skin barrier. But too much of a good thing can be, well, not so good, as oily skin can result in more breakouts, according to the American Academy of Dermatology Association.Oily skin can be inherited by genetics, but it can also be influenced by extrinsic forces like the climate, or intrinsic forces like our diets, behaviors, and the skincare we use. Keeping oily skin in check means maintaining a healthy skin barrier, or repairing a damaged barrier with skin barrier repair products. If you want to check if your skin is oily or dry, there is a simple way to determine your skin type at homeHow to get rid of blemishes Here’s the thing about a blemish: By the time you see it, it's already arrived. There are ways to soothe existing acne, but the best thing you can do for a blemish is leave it alone, and have a dermatologist check it out. Good habits and an acne skincare routine—like proper face cleansing and choosing non-abrasive formulas—can help minimize acne breakouts. A few other best pimple practices include: Drinking water. Water makes up most of our body, including our skin. And while drinking tons of water won't send a blemish on its way, keeping yourself hydrated does in fact affect the hydration levels in your skin, which are directly linked to things like immune function. Washing your face consistently. When you're tired, sleeping in your makeup may seem like a better option than dragging yourself to the bathroom. It's also an invitation to pimples. Sticking to one routine. It may feel tempting to try all sorts of new treatments, especially if you feel like your acne situation is desperate. Dermatologists say: Don't. Consistency is key to skincare, but especially with treating acne. Slow and steady wins the race. Avoiding the urge to pop. The more you mess with a blemish, the angrier it gets, which is why they're best left alone. That means no popping, according to experts. Blemish-Prone Skincare Routine Rooted in time-tested Japanese ingredients and techniques, Tatcha’s skincare collection is full of sensorial, experience-based products formulated at the highest efficacy. Its belief is a simple one; that turning such acts of self care into rituals makes for good health, inside and out. Here are a few suggestions from their range suited for blemish-prone skincare routines.1. Cleanse properly. Most common acne is caused by pore blockages, which are less likely to occur by keeping things clean and clear. This means being diligent about removing makeup at the end of the day, and using a gentle cleanser to thoroughly cleanse the skin itself. The brand-new Matcha Cleanse is a uniquely suited cleanser for acne-prone skin, with its soap free formula and its ability to cleanse deeply, unclogging pores. But whatever cleanser you choose, make sure it doesn’t leave your skin feeling tight and dry afterwards. Dermatologists advise cleansing your skin at least once, usually twice, per day.2. Exfoliate regularly. If a face wash is your daily cleanse, exfoliation is something closer to a power wash, and often employs physical or chemical exfoliating ingredients like scrubs or acids to actually remove stubborn dead skin from the face—including in pores, where it's liable to cause trouble. Geisha performers have long relied on exfoliants made from things like rice bran to keep their skin blemish-free despite being layered beneath makeup for hours on end. Whatever exfoliant you choose—a physical exfoliant like this rice-based one with pore-tightening wild rose, or a chemical exfoliant like this waterweight one powered by fruit-based alpha hydroxy acids—consistency is key; you can use these up to a few times each week.3. Moisturize wisely. There’s a certain notion in skincare that the best way to deal with a blemish is to dry it out, starving it of moisture until it dehydrates and dies. Dermatologists say this isn’t so, and in fact, dry skin can exacerbate or even be a root cause of acne. Keeping skin moisturized is paramount, but those with acne-prone or oily skin might be wary of burying themselves beneath thick creams. Now there are moisturizers formulated for oily skin, like Tatcha’s best-selling The Water Cream, which are designed at every level to feel, as the name suggests, as light as water—with all of its hydrating and moisturizing potential. Using a moisturizer that feels comfortable on your skin is a good way to ensure you wear it regularly, building good habits—and better skin—over time. 4. Sunscreen daily. Perhaps you saw it coming, or simply had a hunch. It’s true: Unprotected exposure to ultraviolet light can trigger or worsen acne, according to a 2023 study that looked at three decades of research. It’s just another reason to choose the right sunscreen for your skin type and to apply it every day.

Achieving smooth and soft lips isn’t as simple as you might believe. But with these easy tips, you’ll have a shortcut to a plump, hydrated pout all year long. Wondering how to make your lips soft? You’re not alone and the task isn’t as simple as you might believe. While slathering on lip balms might feel like the only shortcut to smooth lips, there are many other beneficial steps to ensure you have a plump, hydrating pout year round. From exfoliating scrubs and treatments to balms and masks, here is your guide on how to get soft lips.Step One: ExfoliateExfoliating your face with a facial scrub? Of course. But exfoliating your lips with a lip scrub? Absolutely! While the niche product is often overlooked (unrightfully so), utilizing a lip-specific scrub can be tremendously beneficial on your journey for soft and smooth lips. A lip scrub is different from a facial scrub because it’s an exfoliating formula specifically made to be gentle enough on the delicate lip skin but effective enough to remove flakes, dry patches, and dead skin cells.A lip scrub is the perfect first step on your ‘how to get smooth lips’ path because not only will the exfoliant buff away dryness but the emollient component of the scrub will also instantly hydrate and soften lips.Step Two: TreatDid you know the skin on your lips is significantly thinner than the rest of your face? This is why the lip area can not only remain chronically dry but also be the first to show signs of aging, including a loss of volume, fine lines, and wrinkles. Normally solutions would come in the form of multiple steps and complicated products—until now. Lip treatments have recently become available, specifically made to hydrate, repair, and volumize lips. Lip serums or treatments can not only help with the health of lips, but also the cosmetic appearance. Just as the best facial serum for your skin type can deliver impactful ingredients deep into the skin, helping to address the appearance of the skin, lip serums can work similarly, working to deeply hydrate, repair, volumize, and revive the look of the lips. How to get soft lips? Try leveling up your routine with a lip treatment.Step Three: HydrateAs soon as you finish exfoliating and treating, immediately hydrate the lips. Those freshly scrubbed lips crave moisture, so lock in hydration with a soothing lip balm or lip mask. But before you apply any hydrating product to your lip, check the ingredient list. If you’re slathering on lip products consistently and still have dry, chapped lips, your lip balm (and its ingredients) is likely the issue. The American Academy of Dermatology suggests formulas that include oils and butters (which can linger and seal in moisture for longer), ceramides (they protect the skin, increase hydration, and soothe irritation), and super hydrating ingredients (like squalane, glycerin, and hyaluronic acid).If lips can’t seem to get enough moisture, try to swap out your lip balm for a lip mask, which has a thicker consistency, more hydrating ingredients, and is designed to linger on lips for longer than a lip balm.Hydrating inside and out is also important, so be sure you drink enough water. Chapped lips are a direct cause of dehydration, says the Cleveland Clinic.Step Four: ProtectMother Nature’s elements, like severe winter winds and the summer’s harsh UV rays, can do a number on the delicate lip area, causing chapped, dehydrated lips. But no matter the season, protect lips from UV exposure with SPF lip balm. Lips are just as prone to burning (or getting skin cancer) as the rest of the face, so hydrate and protect your pout with lip balms that include SPF. The best form of protection is prevention, so find a sunscreen-boosted lip formula that you enjoy reapplying often (and make sure you reapply often when in the sun).The Best Products to Make Your Lips Soft and Smooth While some skincare products are helpful but not always necessary, lip products are vital. The sensitive area cannot moisturize itself (like many other areas of the face can) and needs help to stay hydrated. The Tatcha Institute in Japan has tirelessly perfected formulas that not only make lips look healthy, but actually feel healthy, too. Here are the best products to achieve soft, smooth lips. Step One: The Kissu Lip Scrub The Kissu Lip Scrub gently scrubs with two exfoliating ingredients: konjac and peach seed. Konjac refines and smooths skin for a brighter appearance, while peach seed removes flakes for more hydrated and refined lips. When it comes to the emollient, we selected one of the most extraordinary and treasured ingredients available, and one that’s a Tatcha signature, too: Japanese camellia oil. The intensely hydrating oil seals in moisture, while also soothing tired lips. Together, The Kissu Lip Scrub effectively sloughs away flakiness and removes dullness while sealing in moisture for smooth, supple lips. Step Two: The Kissu Lip Treatment In the works for years, the new Kissu Lip Treatment will take your pout to a whole new level. This daily serum is clinically proven to instantly plump, while also restoring natural volume, reviving lip color, and improving lip’s natural definition over time. Packed with sea fern, sea kelp, and carob fruit extract, this formula gives kissable soft lips on demand. Step Three: Camellia Gold Spun Lip Balm Feel free to massage on as often as you’d like because our Camellia Gold Spun Lip Balm seals in moisture with camellia oil, renowned for centuries in Japan for its ability to curb dehydration. The formula is also packed with antioxidants and essential fatty acids to help nourish and protect. Additionally, the balm gives lips a hint of shimmer with 23-karat gold flakes. The Kissu Lip Mask If you’d like a deeper dose of moisture, grab one of the most awarded lip masks ever: the Kissu Lip Mask. The luscious, jelly texture (yet never sticky) melts into lips to plump, hydrate, smooth, and soften. Perfect for overnight use, but beautiful any time of day, The Kissu Lip Mask features moisture-sealing squalane, revitalizing Japanese peach, and hydrating camellia oil for a revelatory experience. Step Four: The Kissu Lip Tint SPF 25 The sun doesn’t take seasonal breaks and neither should your lip products. Swipe on the Kissu Lip Tint SPF 25, which hydrates lips and seals in moisture with silk protein and botanical lanolin, protects the delicate skin from sun damage with SPF 25 coverage, and provides a buildable flush of color (available in three shades so you can choose the best one).

The exciting new world of lip treatments are showing powerful benefits. We uncover what a lip treatment can accomplish and why they work in tandem with your favorite lip balm or mask. Did you know the skin on your lips is significantly thinner than the rest of your face? This can lead them to be particularly sensitive to the elements, including UV exposure, harsh treatments, and extreme weather. Add to that the fact that lips are almost always in motion – whether it be speaking, eating, deep breathing, or kissing – and you’ve got the perfect storm of lip issues. Not only are lips one of the first areas of the face that show signs of aging (via fine lines, volume loss, and lack of definition), but they can become chapped, chronically dry, and irritated.One new and exciting innovation in the lip category is lip serums, which act like targeted treatments that nourish and address common woes. What can a lip treatment do for your lips and is one right for you? We uncover those questions and more (including discovering the best lip treatment) below.What Is a Lip Treatment?A lip treatment is a formula specifically made to hydrate, repair, and volumize lips. While at first glance, it might feel like a frivolous product, lip serums, also known as treatments, can be wonderfully valuable. The best lip treatments should not only help with the health of lips, but also the cosmetic appearance. Just as the best facial serum for your skin type can deliver impactful ingredients deep into the skin, helping to address the appearance of the skin, lip serums can work similarly. Depending on the formula, many can accomplish a bevy of beneficial results, from deeply hydrating and repairing skin to volumizing and reviving the look of the lips.What Are the Benefits of a Lip Treatment?In general, the best lip treatments can accomplish a few impressive tasks that other products, like a lip balm or mask, cannot. Here are a few of its most notable benefits.Hydrate DeeperMost lip balms and masks hydrate, but lip treatments can take things even further. The molecule size of ingredients is important. Lip balms usually rely on very effective emollients that sit on the surface of the skin and shield it from external factors, helping to soothe and hydrate the surface. But some lip treatment formulas have ingredients that can penetrate deeper, addressing the long-term hydration of the lip when applied consistently. Why is this important? While facial skin has the ability to self-hydrate with sebum and oils, lips do not naturally produce either one of these and can easily suffer from dehydration.Plump and Restore Volume The loss of collagen as we get older is perfectly natural, making your pout appear thinner looking. While some plumping lip glosses can temporarily volumize lips with (potentially irritating) ingredients, like pepper and cinnamon, lip treatments have the capacity to both naturally plump and restore the natural volume lost over time. This is why a treatment is one of the best lip repair products on the market. Revive Lips Natural ColorDid you know that lips naturally lose pigment as they age too? The same reason they become thinner – collagen loss – is also why they begin to appear less vibrant. A lip serum can help to restore lips lost color and definition due to aging and dryness, helping to make lips appear more vibrant and healthier looking. Smooths Fine Lip Lines Speaking of aging, lips are especially prone to fine lines. (Remember how lips are one of the thinnest skin on our face? That makes them quick to age.) This is where a lip treatment can really shine. A serum can help reduce the look of lip lines by plumping and boosting volume, while also helping with the appearance of lipsticks by curbing the feathering and bleeding that can occur with aging lips. Think of a lip treatment as a sort of lip primer meets serum meets long-term longevity booster.When To Use a Lip TreatmentIf you’re not following the ideal order of applying a lip treatment, you could be wasting precious product and not getting the full benefits of your best lip repair treatment. Here’s the ideal order to apply a lip treatment within your lip care routine.Step One: Exfoliate with a Lip ScrubJust as you exfoliate your face frequently to scrub away dead skin cells, your lips need the same step. A lip scrub can help remove flakiness and dryness, but also help your next step – the vital lip treatment – penetrate better and deeper. Learn more about how to exfoliate your lips (gentle is key!).Step Two: Repair with a Lip TreatmentIt’s time for the star of the show: the lip treatment. Now that the skin is freshly exfoliated, clean, and dry, squeeze a generous amount on and massage into the lips. The added massage helps to boost the powers of a lip serum even further by temporarily improving blood circulation.Step Three: Protect with a Lip Balm/MaskAfter allowing the lip treatment to absorb for a minute, lock it in with a lip balm or lip mask. A lip treatment does not replace a lip balm, but rather works in tandem with one. While the lip serum targets the appearance of the lip, the lip balm is beneficial because it creates a protective seal on the lips, allowing the treatment to work while also hydrating the surface of the skin. Also, if using during the day, don’t forget to use a lip product with SPF. As mentioned before, lips are very sensitive to the elements, including sun exposure. Protect your pout with an SPF product specially formulated for the lips. Try The Kissu Lip Tint SPF 25, which provides sunscreen protection, seals in moisture, and has a buildable kiss of color (in three flattering hues).Best Lip Treatment The Kissu Lip Treatment We’re overjoyed to share this special lip serum that we’ve been finessing for years. Want a lip serum that can do it all? Say hello to your newest obsession then, The Kissu Lip Treatment. This daily serum is clinically proven to instantly plump, while also restoring natural volume, reviving lip color, and improving lip’s natural definition over time. It’s the best dry lip treatment, in our humble opinion.A few lip care ingredients help take the Kissu Lip Treatment to a whole new level.Sea Fern This unique sea botanical impressively and instantly plumps lips, while also boosting volume—but without irritating the delicate lip skin with irritating ingredients. Instead, it accomplishes these results by increasing the lips’ lipid storage over time. Additionally, our proprietary Hadasei-3 complex is present, helping to reduce roughness, increase hydration, and soften lips.Sea KelpSpeaking of potent sea botanicals, sea kelp helps to improve lip definition and natural lip color for healthier-looking lips. Carob Fruit Extract The carob fruit, an ingredient often seen in food and medicine, acts like a peptide, which helps build a stronger skin barrier and smoothes the appearance of fine lines. The Kissu Lip Treatment is designed to work in tandem with the rest of the Kissu collection. This includes the brand new Kissu Lip Scrub, the SPF protectant Kissu Lip Tint, and the beloved and award-winning Kissu Lip Mask. To make things even easier – both on you and your lips – we’ve even created a new Lip Set Curator, where you can choose three lip formulas and receive a complimentary bag. It’s a foolproof ritual to polish, plump, and protect—all in the name of softer, fuller lips instantly.

A good lip balm may be your go-to for keeping chapped and dry lips at bay, but there is so much more that the humble beauty product can do. Find the best lip balm and it’ll be one of your beauty kit staples. For makeup artists, lip balm is an essential part of every look they create, be it for a magazine cover or a runway show. And regardless of whether or not they wear makeup, every person uses a lip balm at one time or another. These products are as important as our cleansers and moisturizers—and we’re much likelier to take them on the go with us.The main use of a lip balm is one you’re probably familiar with: to prevent dry, chapped lips. But there are other benefits of lip balm worth considering as you’re picking your next one out. What is lip balm?The most essential element of a lip balm is an emollient substance that is thick, waxy, and able to provide a seal of moisture over delicate lip skin. Lip balms aren’t always balms, and can come in textures from creamy butters to slick jellies, but are always solid and spreadable. (Lip oils, stains, and glosses exist in another category entirely.)Humans have been moisturizing their lips for centuries, probably longer. According to beauty product lore, some of the earliest incidents of lip moisturization took place in ancient Egypt, with a mixture of beeswax and plant oils. But the idea of lip balm as we know it was born just before the turn of the century in Virginia, with a product called “ChapStick.” It wasn’t a stick, but a shallow tin caked with a mixture of oils and waxes—not unlike their Egyptian forebears—and petrolatum.A century and change later, lip balms abound. Advancements in skincare technology, like more sophisticated ingredients, and changes in greater cosmetic culture, like the realization that we should wear sunscreen everyday, have led to all sorts of different formulas, textures, and other ways to moisturize one’s lips. There are enough options out there to guarantee one suited to your preferences, as if tailor made for you. All you have to do is find it.Why do I need a lip balm?A lip balm is likely to be found in a makeup kit, or a medicine cabinet. But they’re commonly found in handbags and pants pockets, too. If you keep your lip balm on you, you know why: Lips get dry fast.The skin on our lips is unique, delicate, and almost constantly in use. Lip skin is as prone to exposure, contact, and general wear and tear as the skin on our palms, but is a fraction of the thickness. It also acts as a barrier between our outer skin and the mucous membrane that lines our mouths. The lips are the threshold of speech, respiration, and nourishment, and they need our help to stay healthy and functional.Another feature of the skin on our lips is the absence of oil glands, which help other parts of skin moisturize themselves. This is the main benefit of lip balm: Applying this moisture directly to the lips, and sealing the area against additional water loss, keeping lip skin hydrated for longer. Dermatologists have long advised balms for chapped lips, but there are other benefits lip balms can provide, too. The benefits of lip balmKnowing how the skin on our lips differs from the skin elsewhere on our body gives some clues as to the benefits of lip balm. Few other places on the body necessitate such specific skincare. Lip balms offer three chief benefits: Protecting, preserving, and priming the skin on the lips.Protecting. By forming a moisture seal, lip balm helps to protect lips from transepidermal water loss—and from becoming chapped. But newer lip balms take this protection to the next level, with ingredients like lip-safe sunscreen and reparative botanical extracts, for additional benefits.Preserving. It's no secret that skin loses moisture as it ages, making regular moisturization crucial for mature skin. The same is true of lips, which are faster to age, owing to their unique structure. Regular applications of lip balm helps lips preserve their vitality, natural color, and shape. Some newer lip balms also carry more sophisticated anti-aging benefits.Priming. Makeup artists always have it on hand for a reason: Lip balm is one of the first steps used to prime lips for the application of lipstick. Not only does it help protect and preserve the skin underneath, but it provides a smooth base for lip color, paving the way for better color payoff and longer wear. Try one of these superpowered lip balmsMaybe you need a lip balm, maybe you already have a lip balm, or maybe you’d be inclined to try a lip balm plus—something that takes the benefits of regular lip balm to the next level. Lip balm plus tint: The Kissu Lip Tint SPF 25 Not all lip tints are lip balms. The best lip tints are lightly-shaded products that also carry the beneficial moisturizing power of a lip balm. The Kissu Lip Tint imparts buildable color to lips and also hydrates them and seals in moisture while protecting from sun damage. The main ingredients include the skin-like silk protein and botanical lanolin, and the tint comes in a wardrobe of wearable shades, from pink to jam to berry. Lip balm plus mask: The Kissu Jelly Lip Mask Just as face masks amplify the benefits of serums and moisturizers, so do lip masks amplify the benefits of lip balm. The Kissu Jelly Lip Mask is an overnight leave-on treatment that supercharges lips with moisture, thanks to a combination of time-tested Japanese botanicals (like juicy peach extract) and natural squalane (one of the most effective emollients used in skincare). Lip balm plus gold: Camellia Gold Spun Lip Balm An actual pot of gold, for your lips. This decadent lip treatment is based in camellia oil, a centuries-old Asian beauty ingredient prized for its superb ability to help seal in moisture. But its most distinctive feature is the addition of 23-karat gold flakes, which shimmer suspended in the pot, but applied to lips simply add a soft glow. Luxurious but versatile, it can be applied in the day or at night to keep lips hydrated, happy, and good as gold.

Lip scrubs are gaining popularity—and for many good reasons. They accomplish much more than just exfoliating lips. Keep reading to learn how to use a lip scrub. While body and facial scrubs are commonplace, lip scrubs are still somewhat obscure. The often – and unjustly – overlooked product definitely deserves a place in your skincare routine though. What is a lip scrub, what does a lip scrub do, and how to use a lip scrub? We dive into all these questions and more below.What Is a Lip Scrub?A lip scrub is an exfoliating formula specifically made to be gentle enough on the delicate lip skin but effective enough to remove dead skin cells. Lips need this extra care because they work overtime. They help us accomplish innumerous tasks, including eating, talking, breathing, and kissing. All that effort means they’re constantly in motion, which can quickly take a toll on your pout. Add to that the fact that the skin on the lips is one of the most delicate on the entire body and you have a recipe for disaster—aka dry, flaky, and dehydrated lips. An instant solution for these flaky lips? A lip scrub. A lip scrub is an exfoliating formula specifically made to be gentle enough on the delicate skin but effective enough to remove dead skin cells.Almost all lip scrubs are composed of two ingredients: an exfoliant and an emollient. The physical exfoliant – which can be made from multiple sources including sugar, coffee grounds, ground fruit seeds, or other natural ingredients – buffs. While the emollient hydrates and softens lips, and the most common emollients are oils (like coconut, avocado, jojoba, and grapeseed) and butters (including shea, coconut, and cocoa). When the two base ingredients are combined, a lip scrub can accomplish several things, from the appearance to the health of the delicate lip area.How To Use a Lip ScrubSo you’ve found a lip scrub you love and want to enjoy the beautifying effects of lip exfoliation? While using a scrub is a fairly simple process, there are a few tricks that take it to the next level. Follow this four-step process for how to use a lip scrub and achieve a perfect pout every time. Step One: Wet LipsThe friction of an exfoliant on dry lips can be too abrasive. So wet your lips first before applying your scrub to ensure a more gentle experience. While it might feel tempting to get the most intense scrub possible, wetting lips beforehand helps prevent ripping or tearing delicate dry skin.Step Two: Get Scrubbing Apply a generous amount (a pearl-sized is ideal) of your lip scrub and work in small circular motions, softly massaging the product into the skin with a finger. Some products even have an applicator that doubles as a massager to encourage this step. Aim for about 30 seconds of exfoliation for best results, working it into every inch of the lips.Step Three: Rinse Some scrub formulas are so effective that they can be a bit burdensome to remove. To get the scrub quickly off, we recommend removing the product with a damp cloth in short, light strokes. Take care with this step as lips are in a fragile state, so aim for gentleness over quickness when removing a scrub from the skin.Step Four: Moisturize and ProtectThe skin has just been exfoliated, so lips crave moisture immediately after. Lock hydration in your freshly exfoliated lips by using your favorite lip balm, treatment, or mask. Is it still daytime? Add the additional step of sunscreen protection for the lips, too—an often overlooked yet vital step.The History of Lip ScrubsIt’s natural to assume clever beauty products are modern inventions, but lip scrubs’ history goes back centuries. In ancient Japan, intensive treatments with natural ingredients were crafted with care to restore lips to their ideal soft, plump condition. Fast forward to modern Japan, where these beneficial lip care ingredients are still beloved, all in the name of achieving puru-puru lips (which means to jiggle and bounce like jelly).Why Should You Use a Lip Scrub?A lip scrub buffs away flakiness and dryness, plain and simple. However, it can also have multiple other benefits, too, which will become noticeable after you learn how to use a lip scrub appropriately.Helping Other Lip Products Apply BetterJust as a facial scrub clears away dead skin cells and debris, thus helping the following products absorb and work more efficiently, a lip scrub works similarly. Using a lip scrub can help your lip treatment, mask, or balm work even deeper and more effectively.Temporarily PlumpingA scrub can stimulate blood circulation to the lip area, giving lips a temporary plumped appearance. Plus, this additional blood flow can also give your pout a flushed appearance, temporarily mimicking the look of a lip tint.Smoother Lipstick Application Speaking of lip products, a lip scrub can help you achieve a more even lipstick (or lip tint, etc.) appearance. After all, dry lips can make a lip tint or lipstick appear bumpy, so using a lip scrub before a colored lip product can create a perfect base for better-looking and longer-lasting results.Removing Stubborn Lip ProductsWhile all of the above benefits are great before a night on the town, a lip scrub can also be helpful in your evening lip care routine. Stubborn, long-lasting lipstick not budging? A lip scrub can work like a lip makeup remover, especially because it usually contains both an exfoliant and an oil component. It can work its way into every single line, crevice, and corner of lips to remove all obstinate lip products.How Often Should You Use a Lip Scrub?With great power comes great responsibility. You can use a lip scrub as much as needed, but if lips are compromised in any way – whether they are sunburnt, raw from wind or cold exposure, or have open cuts – skip until lips are completely healed.Best Lip Scrub There are many worthy lip scrubs on the market, but we’re especially partial to a brand-new option. Meet The Kissu Lip Scrub, Tatcha’s first foray into lip scrubs. We were inspired by ancient Japanese practices, harnessing the power of timeless natural ingredients to create a simple daily ritual that polishes, plumps, and protects lips.The Kissu Lip Scrub gently scrubs with two exfoliating ingredients: konjac and peach seed. Konjac refines and smooths skin for a brighter appearance, while peach seed removes flakes for more hydrated and refined lips. When it comes to the emollient, we selected one of the most extraordinary and treasured ingredients available, and one that’s a Tatcha signature, too: Japanese camellia oil. The intensely hydrating oil seals in moisture, while also soothing tired lips. Together, The Kissu Lip Scrub effectively sloughs away flakiness and removes dullness while sealing in moisture for smooth, supple lips. The new scrub basically provides puru-puru lips on demand.

Like any journey, the road to healthy skin contains more than a few bumps. But they shouldn’t stop you in your tracks, especially if you know bumpy skin’s causes and the treatments that can smooth things over. For many people, skincare is something like a journey. We all start somewhere, whether we do it as tweens or at a later stage, and as we learn things as we go along. Finally, we arrive somewhere that is the culmination of the work we’ve put in. And, along the way, bumps are inevitable.Some of these bumps get more attention than they’re worth. In fact, “bumpy skin” and what to do with it is a huge topic of skincare conversation—on message boards, in magazines. Like cracks and scales, dry patches or oily ones, bumps are a natural occurrence in skin. Sometimes they’re simply evidence that your skin is doing its job. At other times, they can be evidence of an imbalance, infection, or other skin ailment.That doesn’t mean bumpy skin is a cause for serious concern. Bumps are nothing your local dermatologist hasn’t seen, and their office should be your first stop if you’re having difficulty diagnosing a particular case of bumpy skin. To add a little background, we’ll look at some common causes of bumpy skin, as well as some potential treatments associated with them. What causes bumpy skin and skin texture changes?Skin is more than just a membrane separating our innards from our outers, but a dense and multilayered fabric that self-sustains using a variety of processes. Bumpy skin is bound to appear at one point or another. Sometimes, these bumps are signs of something else under your skin, but experts say most of the time these are totally natural and not worth the worry. Bumpy skin may be caused by:Build-upSometimes, skin that is congested—with dead skin, excess oil, or any other kind of organic skin material—can become bumpy. Some of these bumps become acne, but not all of them. Choosing the right exfoliant and learning how to exfoliate can ensure that skin remains clean and clear.Weak skin barrierRegular cleansing, moisturizing, and applying SPF is a good way to keep your skin barrier—that sheet of dead skin cells caulked together to make up the outermost layer of skin—intact. Damaged skin barriers can cause bumps on your skin and lead to a host of other complications, from acne to psoriasis to eczema.AgingSkin changes happen—especially to children and infants, and anyone who has gone through puberty—but as you get older, too. As skin matures, it gradually loses some of the structural integrity it once had, leading to texture changes like roughness, sagging, or wrinkling.Infection, inflammation, or otherIn addition to the many benign causes of bumpy skin, some cases of inflamed skin or other infection manifest as a series of bumps. In the next section, we’ll discuss a few types, and what they typically indicate. Common kinds of bumpy skinShould you wake up one day with bumpy skin where there once was none, the second most important thing is not to sweat it. (Especially because stress can exacerbate skin issues.) But the most important thing is to have a dermatologist check it out and give an informed diagnosis. A few common causes behind bumpy skin include: Dry skinHydration and moisturization are both essential to keeping skin healthy—the former makes sure water gets to the skin, and the latter makes sure it stays there. Skin that is dry is kind of like a machine without fuel: Without water, its function breaks down, and it can become flaky, cracked, and bumpy. Dry skin may also be a symptom of another imbalance, but may be responsible for texture changes in and of itself, including acne.Acne Perhaps the most infamous kind of skin bump, acne is defined most simply as a clogged hair follicle. Sometimes these hair follicles can house infections that brew beneath the skin. These can be called pimples, zits, or blemishes. Experts usually distinguish between six kinds of blemishes, which can range from comedones (whiteheads and blackheads) to painful cysts or nodules. Clogged PoresNot all clogged pores become acneic, but they can become bothersome in other ways—like creating bumps along the skin. Bumpy pores could be caused by sebum or dead skin buildup, and can usually be addressed with more attention paid to cleansing or exfoliating your skin. BoilsLike acne, boils occur within hair follicles or sebaceous glands, and can be a sign of an infection. But unlike acne, which is caused by certain types of bacteria, boils are caused by the bacteria associated with staph infections. Boils are also usually larger and more painful than acne, and they can be contagious, so you should see your dermatologist right away.BlistersSome bumps feel like nothing at all, and others are painful to the touch. Some are itchy, and these tend to be known as blisters, which are bumps filled with a clear liquid. These can be caused by any number of causes, from friction to dryness to stress. Blisters are usually harmless. Though it’s tempting to pop, try to fight the urge: An open blister is much more prone to infection than a closed one.Folliculitis When a hair follicle becomes inflamed, it’s referred to as folliculitis, and the hair follicle turns into a red bump. These are often caused by infections, according to the Mayo Clinic, and are commonly associated with improper shaving. Ingrown hairs, in which body hair finds itself trapped under the skin, can be a cause of folliculitis. Keratosis pilarisSometimes, bumpy skin is the result of an excess of something. In the case of keratosis pilaris, it's too much keratin, a structural protein that helps form our skin, says the Cleveland Clinic. Genetics, as well as some comorbidities like obesity, can increase your risk of keratosis pilaris, but it’s typically little more than annoying and unsightly—no infections or inflammation to be found. Bumpy skin treatmentsWhen bumps appear, the best place to take them is a dermatologist, who can help devise a treatment tailored to your diagnosis. Only when you understand the cause behind your bumpy skin can you effectively treat it. In some cases, the solution to bumpy skin is a step in your routine that you’re already performing. It may just be a matter of recommitting to the regimen, or choosing a more effective product for the job. 1. How to treat skin bumps caused by parched, dry skin: More moisture If any part of your routine leaves your skin feeling tight and thoroughly clean, like a dry blackboard, you may be stripping skin of essential moisture, and may also benefit from switching to kinds of products that are gentler on skin. Oil based cleansers, like the Camellia Cleansing Oil, and cream-based face washes, like The Rice Wash, are a great addition to any dry skin skincare routine. Choosing the right moisturizer will aid in hydrating parched skin. Regular masks, which can supercharge skin’s hydration used on a more sparing basis, can be especially helpful for keeping dry skin at bay: The Luminous Deep Hydrating Lifting Mask uses a coconut-derived sheet to pack moisture into skin, boosts skin’s moisture content by up to 200% in about 15 minutes. 2. How to treat skin bumps caused by congested, acne-prone skin: Alpha hydroxy acids To purge skin of the kind of build-up that can lead to acne or other bumps, we rely on physical or chemical exfoliants of all kinds—some are exfoliating scrubs and others are acid-packed exfoliating liquids. In general, they are designed to use only a few times each week, but there’s a relatively new kind that uses new and sophisticated formulation to turn exfoliation into a daily practice: the acid toner. The Texture Tonic is one such product, but unlike others, it benefits from the brand Tatcha’s extensive know-how of botanical ingredients. Its alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) come from a variety of fruits, while Japanese mugwort and wild rose visibly even skin tone and texture. 3. How to treat skin bumps related to dull, uneven skin: Viva vitamin C Surely you’ve heard of the powerhouse skincare ingredient known as vitamin C, which is recommended to nearly everyone with skin. In addition to improving the appearance of lines, vitamin C skincare products can work wonders for skin texture, and even stimulate the production of collagen. It’s simply amazing. What’s less simple is finding it in the right formulation. Tatcha’s Violet-C collection combines vitamin C with alpha hydroxy acids for maximum brightening and smoothing. There’s The Violet-C Brightening Serum that sits between your cleanser and moisturizer, as well as The Violet-C Radiance Mask that can be used up to a few times a week. Over time, with consistent use, vitamin C can lead to visible improvements in skin. But like any journey, it takes time—and commitment.4. How to treat skin bumps caused by sensitive, inflamed skin: Sensitivity trainingThere are many ways to tell if skin is having a reaction, and yet not all reactions look the same. A common sign is a sudden change of texture, like flaking, or indeed bumps. Bumpy skin related to inflammation is a symptom of common ailments like eczema, but it can also signal an allergy or reaction to the environment. Usually, your first line of defense for this kind of bumpy skin is at a dermatologist’s office. An expert can help you understand the difference between sensitive and sensitized skin, and can put you on the right path toward calming things down.5. How to treat skin bumps caused by ingrown hairs or folliculitis: Cut carefullyWe know it, and we don’t love it: That familiar pattern that appears after a shave done less-than-well. Razor bumps happen when our shaved hairs curl back in on themselves, and are enough to deal with; ingrown hairs and folliculitis describe when these hairs become inflamed. Proper shaving minimizes the chance they’ll happen, and this involves cleansing the area before and after, shaving with the grain, and keeping your razor sanitized. There are also a few tips and tricks to avoiding ingrowns, from using a cleansing oil as a shaving cream to using rice powder as an exfoliant.6. How to treat skin bumps caused by clogged pores: Wash wellBumpy pores happen to all of us. A clog can not only make a pore into a bump, but can also make it appear larger. An exfoliating treatment, like a scrub or mask, can help clear things up when your pores feel clogged. But the best way to treat a clogged pore is to prevent it in the first place, and cleansing your skin daily and consistently ensures that dirt, oil, dead skin, or other debris is rinsed down the drain—and doesn’t end up in a pore.