• You can help prevent blackheads and pimples by cleansing your pores.ortrait of woman smiling with long flowing brown hair. image by Paul Hill from Fotolia.com
  
  If you have large pores or if your skin is prone to acne, investing in products to keep your pores clean and clear of contaminants might be a good idea. When dirt, debris, and oil become caught in your pores, they clog them up and cause breakouts. Pore-cleansing products are a thriving and versatile market, so you have plenty of choices and strategies for keeping your skin clear.
  
  

Exfoliating Scrubs

• Exfoliating scrubs are effective for areas of the skin that are especially prone to breakouts. Dampen your skin, then apply the scrub to problem areas like the nose and chin, using a circular rubbing motion. Regular exfoliation loosens dead skin that might otherwise clog the pores. But don't exfoliate too often, or your skin may become irritated.
  
  

Facial Masks

• Facial masks made from clay absorb excess oil from the skin to keep the pores clear. Applying a mask once a week to pull dirt and oil from within the pores will help prevent breakouts and blemishes. Make sure to cover the T-zone (forehead, nose and chin) thoroughly, because this area is especially prone to oil.
  
  

Extraction Tools

• As stated in the Fitness Magazine website, dermatologists do not recommend trying to squeeze dirt out of the pores with tweezers. But plenty of people are born pimple-poppers, so if you must remove your blemishes that way, use a tool designed for the purpose. Some beauty stores and websites sell specialized devices for extracting debris from the pores that are designed to exert an even pressure to force debris out.
  
  

Pore Minimizers

• Many facial gels and creams claim to shrink the pores to cleanse the skin and reduce the visibility of blackheads and blemishes. Not all can live up to their claims in reducing the diameter of the pores, but all these products do cleanse and help clear up the skin regardless. With regular use, pore minimizers should soften and improve the texture of the skin as well as reduce the size of the pores.