Can the grit method really clear our pores? Yes, and here's proof!
I have a confession: I enjoy watching blackhead extraction videos. It’s just so satisfying to see them get popped out of pores! It’s a different case, though, when I visit my derma to have this procedure done on myself (don’t DIY - you might cause more damage). It can hurt a lot, and sometimes my nose gets so irritated that I have to stop myself from sneezing on my derma.
As an oily skinned gal, I’m more prone to getting clogs in my skin so I’ve learned to put up with extractions as a necessary evil. But when I heard about the grit method and that many people swore it worked for them, I just had to try it for myself!
How it works
One of the most common skin concerns we get here at PV is about pores. From questions about shrinking pore size to “getting rid of pores” altogether, it’s a big concern for a lot of people. Unfortunately, you cannot remove pores as they are essential for healthy skin function, and the size of your pores are determined by your genes. The only way to make them permanently smaller is with professional treatments, but keeping them clear and free of clogs help to reduce their appearance.
Speaking of clogs, those little dark dots on your nose may not actually be blackheads! They are most probably sebaceous filaments, which are a normal part of your skin structure. They can be removed temporarily to give skin a clearer appearance, but they will come back.
Though you can’t actually shrink pores or permanently get rid of sebaceous filaments, regular exfoliation gives the appearance of smoother, clearer skin by removing the dead cells and skin clogs. The grit method basically uses several exfoliation methods to maximize the effect.
What you need
A BHA product: I used the Cosrx BHA Blackhead Power Liquid (P990 from theskincarecurator.com)
A clay mask: I prefer one with charcoal like the Origins Clear Improvement Charcoal Honey Mask (P1,880 from Origins)
A cleansing oil: I like emulsifying formulas like the In Her Element Sunflower Wash-Off Cleansing Oil (P695 from inherelement.ph)
The grit method was popularized by an AB skincare blogger called Fiddy Snails. Here’s the step by step guide:
Starting with a clean and dry face, apply the BHA all over the area where you want to clear your pores. Let it sink into the skin for 20 to 25 minutes.
Without removing the BHA, apply the clay mask over the same area. I left on the Origins Clay Mask for 10 minutes as per product instruction, but the time may differ for the mask you’re using. Do make sure to check that your mask has actual clay in it as Den recently discovered that some masks are just a mix of alcohol and charcoal powder!
When the mask is dry, rinse it off completely with lukewarm water.
Pat skin dry then apply the cleansing oil. Let it sit on your skin for 15 minutes before massaging it in. Use the pads of your fingers to apply gentle pressure and small, circular strokes on the areas where skin feels bumpy. You’ll feel tiny, grit-like particles coming out of your pores. Massage for only 2 to 3 minutes as you might damage skin if you do it for too long!
Emulsify and rinse the oil off. Apply an essence or hydrating toner and follow with the rest of your skin routine.
If you have dry or sensitive skin, applying a clay mask right after the BHA may feel too drying. Den shares that she follows a modified grit method wherein she lets the BHA sit on her skin overnight, then uses the cleansing oil before washing her face in the morning. This is a gentler option that she swears by!
The “grits“ are very small and quite difficult to see, but you’ll definitely feel them!
Does it actually work?
Yes, it does! I followed the original Fiddy Snails grit method and was able to get a few grits out. I was hoping to get more, but it certainly works! You really won’t be able to “harvest” a lot if you regularly use acids to exfoliate, as acids help to minimize sebaceous filaments. Still, I was satisfied with how much smoother my skin looked after doing this, so I’ll be trying this again after a week or two.
Nine also gave it a shot, and had more satisfying results! She was able to remove a lot of clogs from her skin, including a large whitehead that had been bothering her. Needless to say, she was very pleased with the results, and the difference really shows in her pictures.
Nine concentrated on her problem areas, which are her nose and cheeks. In the Before photo, she has a noticeably large pore on the center of her nose and another above her left nostril. The same pores are still present but much smaller in the After photo.
You can use the grit method for exfoliation, at a maximum of twice a week. Overdoing exfoliation can cause damage to your skin. If you are using acids for the first time, follow the gentler method (without clay masking) to ease your skin into chemical exfoliation and observe its reaction.
What do you do to remove the clogs in your skin? Have you tried the grit method? How did it work for you?
Photography by Nicole Quindara
