The Great Pore Debate: Extraction vs. Exfoliation
- Aug 14
- 4 min read
Updated: Aug 18
When to leave them alone, when to exfoliate, and when to see a pro
We’ve all been there — standing two inches from the bathroom mirror, convincing ourselves that if we just take care of this one pore, we’ll have flawless skin by morning. Spoiler: the only thing we get is a red, swollen souvenir and a sudden urge to Google “how long does it take for a scab to heal on my face?”
When it comes to extraction vs exfoliation, knowing which to choose can mean the difference between a smooth, healthy glow and a week of irritation. Let’s break it down — with esthetician tips, pore-care tricks, and a few laughs along the way.
When to Leave Your Pores Alone
Sometimes the best thing you can do for your pores is… absolutely nothing.
Hands-off if:
They’re clear and calm (what you’re seeing might be sebaceous filaments — normal, harmless, not the enemy).
You’ve recently exfoliated or had a facial — your skin is still recovering.
You’re just “bored-picking” because your ex hasn’t texted back.
Why it matters: Touching your face — especially with unwashed hands — introduces new bacteria. And when you pop one pimple, you’re not just evicting that one tenant… you’re flinging microscopic bacteria to surrounding pores like confetti at a wedding. That’s why “just one” so often turns into a breakout cluster.
💡 Esthetician Tip: If the temptation is real, slap on a pore-refining mask instead. It gives you that “I’m doing something” satisfaction without the damage.
BloomBoom Pick: PCA Skin Detoxifying Mask – absorbs oil without over-drying.
Budget-Friendly: Kaolin clay mask for a temporary tightening effect.
Extraction vs Exfoliation: When to Exfoliate for Best Results
Think of exfoliation as hitting the skin’s refresh button — but with boundaries.
Exfoliate if:
Your skin feels rough or makeup looks patchy.
You see small, uniform bumps (mild congestion).
You want to prevent buildup before it gets stubborn.
Best practices:
Stick to chemical exfoliants like lactic, mandelic, or low-strength salicylic acid 1–3x/week.
Skip the aggressive scrubs that feel like you’re sanding hardwood floors.
Always follow with hydration + SPF.
💡 Esthetician Tips:
Try exfoliating pads post-shower when steam has softened pores.
Follow with a hydrating mask so your skin’s like “thank you” instead of “help me.”
BloomBoom Favorites:
PCA Skin Nutrient Toner – gentle enzymatic exfoliation + skin nutrition.
IS Clinical Active Serum – clears, brightens, and refines in one go.
The Ordinary Mandelic Acid 10% – sensitive-skin-friendly and easy to start with.
When to See a Pro
Some clogs just won’t quit — that’s when professional extractions are worth every penny.
Book a pro if:
You’ve been exfoliating consistently and nothing’s budging.
The congestion is in a sensitive area like your nose crease or jawline.
You have a big event and want a smooth canvas for makeup.
Why it works: We use skin-softening products, sterilized tools, and precise angles so the pore is cleared without scarring or barrier damage. We can also tell you why the clog happened so you can stop playing whack-a-mole with your acne.
💡 Esthetician Tip: Pair extractions with LED light therapy — blue light kills acne bacteria, red light calms redness.
BloomBoom In-Studio Favorites:
BloomBoom Glow Facial (with gentle extractions) – $139
Sculpt & Flow Add-On – lymph drainage for faster healing and de-puffing.
Can You Actually Tighten Pores?
Let’s bust a myth: pores don’t have muscles. They can’t open, close, or physically shrink.
BUT — you can make them look smaller by keeping them clean, balanced, and strengthening the collagen around them.
Ways to make pores appear tighter:
Keep them clean – Gentle exfoliation + nightly double cleanse.
Use firming oils – Castor oil plumps the skin, frankincense helps with firmness, and baobab (“Bantu”) oil brings vitamins A, D, E, and fatty acids for barrier support.
Hydrate deeply – Hydrated skin is plumper, making pores less noticeable.
SPF daily – Sun damage weakens collagen, which can make pores slacken.
Pro collagen boosters – Microneedling, peels, LED light therapy.
Why Castor Oil + Batana Oil Are a Glow MVP
Castor oil draws moisture deep into the skin and locks it in, while also helping to dissolve buildup inside pores.
Batana oil delivers rich, nourishing fatty acids that plump the skin and help restore elasticity, so pores look more refined.
Both are packed with antioxidants to fight oxidative stress (aka premature aging’s BFF).
Together, they soften rough texture, calm irritation, and strengthen the skin’s natural barrier — making your face feel as good as it looks.
BloomBoom DIY Overnight Refining Oil:
1 tsp castor oil
2 drops frankincense essential oil
2 drops batana oil
Massage into clean, damp skin before bed. Wake up, cleanse gently, and apply SPF.
BloomBoom's Quick Pore-Care Rules
Double cleanse nightly — oil cleanser first, then gentle foaming cleanser.
Change pillowcases every 2–3 days — it’s basically skincare for your sleep.
Hands off your face — especially after touching your phone, keyboard, or literally anything at Target.
Hydrate like it’s a hobby — dehydrated skin can overproduce oil, stretching pores.
The Bottom Line
Pore care is a balancing act:
Leave them alone when they’re fine.
Exfoliate to prevent and treat mild congestion.
See a pro when things get stubborn.
And remember: touching and popping may feel satisfying in the moment, but your future skin will file a complaint.
✨ Next steps: Browse my pore-perfecting picks or book your facial for the ultimate clean-skin reset.
💬 Your turn: Are you Team At-Home Exfoliation or Team Pro Extraction? Drop your stories (and your holy grail products) in the comments — I’m here for the tea.
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