How to Get Rid of Closed Comedones, According to Dermatologists
If you have unexplainable texture, here’s what to do.
I feel like I finally cracked the code to my perfect skincare routine. While I did realize that I have pretty oily skin after years of trying to convince myself that I was more on the combination side of the spectrum, I have found that the real culprit isn’t so much the presence of oil, but what it causes. For me, that’s plenty of texture courtesy of closed comedones.
Even if you're not familiar with the term, you've likely encountered one (or several) over the years. “Closed comedones are clogged pores that look like small, flesh-colored bumps, often across the forehead, cheeks, or chin,” board-certified dermatologist Mona Gohara, MD, tells me. “Unlike blackheads, the pore opening remains covered by a thin layer of skin, trapping oil and dead skin cells underneath. Think of them as tiny traffic jams beneath the skin’s surface.”
These “traffic jams” have been wreaking havoc on my skin for years now, but just as soon as I understood what was happening, I also realized that practically no one talks about this skin condition. So as a good little beauty journalist, I’ve been experimenting with the products in my routine. I’ve been swapping exfoliants, serums, and moisturizers like a game of spoons, and I’ve finally landed on a regimen that has my skin looking the best it has in years. If you also struggle with closed comedones, keep reading for a few product recommendations that will finally give you the clear, smooth skin of your dreams.
The Best Skincare Products For Closed Comedones
- Best Red Light Mask: CurrentBody Skin LED Light Therapy Panel
- Best Toner Pads: Medicube Zero Pore Pad
- Best Salicylic Acid Treatment: Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Exfoliating
- Best Hydrating Spray: Beekman 1802 Milk Shake Hyaluronic Acid & Squalane Facial Toner Mist
- Best Barrier Serum: La Mer The Concentrate
- Best Serum for Post-Procedure Skin: Jan Marini SkinSolutions Marini BioShield
- Best Moisturizer for Sensitive Skin: Vanicream Enhanced Moisturizer
I’ve been on a roll with using my LED devices, and this panel in particular has been making a world of difference in my skin. Not only is the 10-minute session perfect for easily slotting into my routine, but holding the panel up to my face feels almost meditative and is a great way to start winding down before bed. Tack on the fact that red light is known to help balance oil production, boost radiance, and smooth texture over time? This one's a no-brainer.
Customer Review: "I own the CurrentBody LED face mask, which I’ve been using regularly after microneedling. While I love the mask, I sometimes find it a little restrictive to have something directly attached to my face for longer sessions. That’s why I decided to purchase the LED light panel — and I’m so glad I did! The freedom it gives compared to the mask is amazing. I can comfortably sit back, move more naturally, and still get all the benefits of LED therapy without feeling confined. If you already enjoy LED therapy but want something less restrictive and more flexible than a mask, this is absolutely worth it. Bring on the results!!!" — CurrentBody
I’ve been flying through these exfoliating pads because apparently my skin loves them. Not only are they soaked in a serum featuring salicylic and lactic acids, but they also include nourishing ingredients like panthenol and allantoin which help ensure your skin doesn’t get overly stripped by the exfoliating acids. The best part? There are 70 pads in this container, and it is less than $20.
Customer Review: "The Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0 is one of the most effective toner pads I’ve tried for gentle daily exfoliation. The dual‑textured design is smart — the embossed side gives a mild, controlled exfoliation, while the smooth side delivers a refreshing sweep of toner that leaves the skin feeling clean and balanced. The formula itself is lightweight, non‑sticky, and absorbs quickly, making it easy to use even under makeup. What stands out most is how refined the skin looks after consistent use. Pores appear tighter, texture looks smoother, and there’s a clearer, more even tone overall. The pads stay fully saturated to the last one, and they don’t cause irritation or dryness, which is a huge plus for exfoliating products. If you’re looking for a daily pad that helps keep pores under control while improving overall skin clarity, Zero Pore Pad 2.0 is a reliable, well‑formulated choice." — Amazon
I would be remiss not to mention the exfoliating toner that has gone viral countless times for its pore-care efficacy. That being said, the salicylic acid-rich formula now comes as wipes, and something about that delivery method has made it much easier to stay consistent with it in my routine.
Customer Review: "This product is Amazing on my oily, closed-comedones-prone skin and on refining the look of pores. May be strong for some, so patch test. I personally use it daily, sometimes even twice-whereas my skin will slap me if I even look at glycolic acid. This product being in Sephora makes it easier to get when I'm out vs. planning ahead and ordering on the PC website." — Sephora
As I’ve curated my new skincare routine, there’s one thing I’m not abandoning: my triple toning technique. Oily skin, I’ve learned, can be very dehydrated, which can lead to the production of more sebum to compensate for the lack of moisture. This spray is one of three in my routine that I completely swear by to give my skin the nourishment that it needs. Squalane, hyaluronic acid, jojoba oil, and numerous other skin-loving ingredients are combined into the bi-phase formula that I use as a sort of liquid sealant to keep my skin hydrated and happy, and it works. Plus, the massive bottle will last you for months.
Customer Review: "I've been using this Milk Shake Toner Mist for 2 weeks, and I'm obsessed. The texture is super milky, but it sinks in instantly with zero sticky residue. My skin feels hydrated and calm right after spraying, especially on dry, sensitive days. Love that it has goat milk and hyaluronic acid + squalane - it preps my skin perfectly for serum and makeup. I keep this at my desk for a midday refresh. It gives that healthy, dewy look without looking greasy. Found mine at Ulta. Definitely repurchasing!" — Ulta
If there’s one thing I’ve come to realize in this journey, it’s that barrier care is nonnegotiable. While the spotlight is often on La Mer’s Crème de La Mer, for my routine, the real star of the show is this concentrate. Glycerin, a combination of oils, the brand’s patented miracle broth, and more are all featured in this formula, and I swear it's like a hug for your skin. Plus, I had some irritation around my nose when I first started using it, and within two weeks the area felt exponentially less sensitive, and the resulting texture has all but disappeared. I can’t get enough.
Customer Review: "My face has been red and peeling for the past week. Nothing could calm it down until I used this for 2 nights. Extremely expensive, but I would buy again." — Sephora
Fall is coming, which means laser season is around the corner (another fantastic addition to my toolbox in my quest to get rid of my closed comedones). Next on my list to incorporate is the Jan Marini SkinSolutions Marini BioShield. Not only is the silicone-based formula fantastic for post-procedure skin because it helps to facilitate healing (i.e., strengthen your post-treatment skin barrier), but it also contains ingredients like glycerin and hyaluronic acid, which are perfect for everyday barrier fortification.
Customer Review: "I'll be honest, I used this on the recommendation of Aquaphor after having an extremely aggressive laser resurfacing treatment, and this stuff is extremely awesome. My surgeon was surprised at how I was healing ahead of schedule." — Lovelybeauty.com
Regardless of skin type, every skincare collection should include a bottle of Vanicream. Even though the Enhanced Moisturizer is technically for the body, the best thing about this line is that its products are so gentle they can be used anywhere, so I actually use it on my face as my nighttime moisturizer. In addition to being gentle and sensitive-skin-friendly, it’s lightweight so it won't clog your pores further, which could lead to more closed comedones if you’re not careful.
Customer Review: "Vanicream never lets me down. This new product has done wonders for my dry skin. It’s lightweight and creamy, with a texture similar to their face moisturizer. I use this all over my body, but especially on my face, morning and night, after my initial skincare steps. I have sensitive, dry, and acne-prone skin, and this has significantly improved barrier support thanks to the added ceramides. It’s very hydrating and doesn’t feel heavy on the skin. It’s fragrance-free, and the pump works well at dispensing product. The bottle is large at 12 fl oz and lasts me a long time. I’ve already repurchased a few bottles since this product came out and will continue to do so. 5/5 stars." — Amazon
How Do I Treat Closed Comedones?
While not every skincare routine is the same (nor should they be), there are some general best steps when it comes to treating closed comedones. After using a gentle cleanser on the skin (Dr. Gohara says that your face should not feel squeaky or tight afterward), go in with your exfoliators. “BHAs clean inside the pore because they are oil-soluble, meaning they can move through oil and help loosen the buildup,” she says. Salicylic acid is the gold standard here, but you can also keep an eye out for ingredients like lipo-hydroxy acid or willow bark extract, the latter of which is a natural, plant-based source of salicin, which turns into salicylic acid on the skin.
Also imperative in your routine? Retinol. “Retinoids help normalize skin-cell turnover so dead cells are less likely to collect and clog the pore,” Dr. Gohara says. “They can treat existing closed comedones and help prevent new ones from forming.”
Once your skin is exfoliated and moisturized (look for ingredients like ceramides, glycerin, or hyaluronic acid in your creams), the next crucial step in the routine is sunscreen. Specifically, one that is suited for blemish-prone skin. Dr. Gihara’s favorite? The EltaMD UV Clear Blemish-Prone & Oil Balancing SPF 50. “It provides daily UV protection in a formula designed for blemish-prone skin,” she says. “This formula also has niacinamide, which helps support the barrier and improve the appearance of post-acne discoloration.”
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Meet the Expert
Dr. Mona Gohara did her dermatology training at Yale, where she served as Chief Resident. She continues to hold a faculty appointment in Yale’s Department of Dermatology, where she is also the Associate Director of Community Engagement.
Mona and her husband Kiran, have two teenage sons, Kiran, and Jai. Besides mothering and doctoring, Mona spends time educating the public on skin health, skin cancer, skin of color, and sun protection. She has done this through writing, lecturing on the local, national, and international level, and by engaging popular media.
