There are lots of different formulas out there, but most masks typically blend exfoliating ingredients like salicylic acid or clay, along with moisturizing ingredients to counteract any potential irritation, explains Arch. "Because these masks are left on your skin for longer than a cleanser, the ingredients have more time to work and penetrate," she adds. While these are best used as a weekly, not daily, treatment, they're a nice way to get a quick pore-unclogging fix before a big event. Try the new Murad Pore Extractor Pomegranate Mask, $38.

For supremely stubborn clogs, seeing a pro for extractions is a smart move: "If you have blackheads or whiteheads that aren't going away, no matter what you're doing, this is the best solution," advises Arch. And while it can be tempting to start squeezing and picking at your skin yourself (trust us, we get it), please leave it up to the experts. Derms and aestheticians keep everything clean and sterile, and know the proper technique to use to minimize the risk of infection and scarring, points out Lee. If you want to up the satisfaction level on this one, ask to see what they squeezed out after the fact. Hey, we're not judging.

See the best pimple popping videos here.

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