Clogged pores are one of the most common skin concerns—and keeping them clear often comes down to the right combination of ingredients and treatments. “Pores are, by design, a hole in the skin that can accumulate debris,” says Omaha, NE dermatologist Joel Schlessinger, MD. “This debris can be removed by anything ranging from a pore strip to a comedone extractor.” The best approach, though, he says, is maintaining a consistent skin-care routine to help keep pores clean.
Fellow Omaha dermatologist Daniel Schlessinger, MD, adds that medications like tretinoin and Retin-A are often considered the gold standard for helping clear pores, but if a prescription option isn’t accessible, there are plenty of other effective solutions. Ahead, we’re diving into the best expert-recommended pore-clearing products to try in 2026.
Featured Experts
- Joel Schlessinger, MD and Daniel Schlessinger, MD are a board-certified dermatologists in Omaha, NE
- Amy Peterson is an aesthetician and CEO of Lenox & Sixteenth
- Samantha Susca is a celebrity aesthetician and founder of Refinery4
- Jena Irby is an aesthetician and owner of SkinFIT Aesthetics
- Tammy Fender is a celebrity aesthetician and holistic brand founder
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Aesthetician and founder and CEO of Lenox & Sixteenth Amy Peterson likes ZO Skin Health's Instant Pore Refiner because it “offers an elegant, oil-free finish that instantly smooths texture and controls shine, creating a polished, refined appearance.”
BUY NOW - $68
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Celebrity aesthetician and founder of Refinery4 Samantha Susca recommends this treatment cleanser that doubles as an exfoliant. It helps “keep the pores clear of oils and keratin buildup while leaving behind stabilized vitamin C to support collagen synthesis,” she adds.
BUY ON VIOLET GREY - $170
BUY ON NEIMAN MARCUS - $170
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“I love PCA Skin’s Pore Refine Treatment to gently treat the skin and provide three types of exfoliation support,” says Jena Irby, aesthetician and owner of SkinFIT Aesthetics. She adds that the formula includes mandelic acid and absorbent clays to help keep pores clear.
BUY ON AMAZON - $72
BUY ON DERMSTORE - $72
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“I blended this micro-exfoliating formula to be both highly effective at cleansing away excess oils and the impurities that could clog pores and also gentle enough so that even those with sensitive skin could use it,” says Fender. She notes it features silky marine exfoliants that have a beautiful refining effect.
BUY ON TAMMY FENDER - $95
BUY ON GOOP - $95
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Peterson calls this a beautifully balanced mattifying cleanser. She adds that it “dissolves excess oil and debris while calming irritation, making it ideal for maintaining clear, comfortable skin.”
BUY NOW - $46
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This is a “transformative collagen serum empowered by next-generation peptide technology and antioxidant protection to firm the skin, refine its structure and inhibit degradation,” says Susca. “Antioxidants, alongside bio-optimized and anti-inflammatory agents, protect skin against the environmental aggressors that accelerate skin aging, while reducing senescent cells that cause inflammation and help control sebum production.”
BUY ON VIOLET GREY - $330
BUY ON FWRD - $330
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ZO Skin's brightener “uses micro-encapsulated retinol to accelerate renewal, improve clarity and support collagen activity,” says Peterson. This helps pores appear more refined while enhancing overall radiance, she explains.
BUY NOW - $153
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“Biologique Recherche’s Lotion P50remains a cult classic for a reason,” says Peterson. “Its pH-balancing exfoliation helps clear buildup and support clarity, leaving pores looking cleaner and more refined.”
BUY ON VIOLET GREY - $45
BUY ON THE SKIN SAVANT - $45
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This purifying masque features an “especially absorbent green illite clay base, but is also blended with potent detoxifying herbs, including Fo-Ti and great burdock,” says Fender. “This formula minimizes pores but also helps restore clarity and vitality to the complexion.”
BUY NOW - $185
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Don’t forget that what you're putting in your body, not just on your skin, can impact your complexion. Susca recommends this “functional prebiotic fiber blend designed to support the gut-skin axis, to help the pores stay clear, and inflammation be lowered by promoting a resilient and diverse microbiome and gut barrier.”
BUY NOW - $69
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Irby says this formula is great for those with breakout-prone or blackhead-prone skin. “This formula will loosen impactions within the pores while also gently soothing inflammation in the skin.”
BUY NOW - $50
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Peterson says she tends to “gravitate toward formulas that refine texture while maintaining skin harmony and long-term resilience.” This triple acid resurfacing serum is designed to smooth texture, brighten tone and visibly refine pores while keeping the skin balanced, she explains. “It delivers a refined, post-laser luminosity without downtime, supported by soothing botanicals that help maintain barrier integrity.”
BUY NOW - $219
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While I've never considered ingesting beef organ protein, I generally trust whatever Susca says, and she’s yet to lead me astray. She recommends Organised Protein, which boasts fully transparent clinical data. This protein allows for a “90 to 100 percent absorption rate of non-synthetic vitamins A and C, allowing the body enough nutrients to regulate sebum control, balance hormones, detox properly and lower cortisol levels that contribute to long-term acute inflammation,” she explains.
BUY NOW - $99
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Having a good cleanser in your routine is crucial, otherwise the products that follow won’t be as effective, notes Irby. She says this formula features fruit enzymes and gentle acids to thoroughly cleanse skin, leaving it soft, smooth and prepped.
BUY NOW - $48
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If your pores are regularly clogged, Dr. Daniel Schlessinger, MD, recommends this acne-care system, which includes everything you need to help clear them out: a cleanser, toner, treatment gel and moisturizer.
BUY NOW - $220
