Can I exfoliate this way?

[Guppy111]

I'm male, 30 and have sensitive oily skin. Over the years the pores on my nose have become bigger and darker and more clogged. I've used pore strips until only recently, as I think they've only worsened the problem of large pores. I've also tried using scrubs to exfoliate, but I've found that they only irritate my skin despite being gentle, and don't get rid of any of the pore clogging materials on my nose or face.

For the last two weeks, I've switched to the Cetaphil Gentle Cleanser for Sensitive Skin once in the morning and before bed and have noticed a great improvement in the overall look of my skin. I also blot periodically throughout the day with a kleenex to keep oily sheen a minimal.

As for exfoliation, I've begun using a clean face towel in a gentle upward motion after I cleanse my face to remove the dead skin and pore clogging gunk that the scrubs could not in the past. Is this a good way to exfoliate the facial skin, or will it just stretch my pores bigger? Thanks for your time!!!

[Eggle]

I, too, have oily skin around my nose, large pores and acne.  I also exfoliate with a clean face towel, although I use it hot, after squeezing out hot water.  I think the steam helps with the cleaning.  I have sensitive skin too, and this is the most effective method for me.

I find Brevoxyl (4% benzoyl peroxide) , available over the counter, very helpful in helping in reducing the appearance of blackheads, and bringing out oils.  But it takes a bit of time for your skin to adjust to the cream.  Also, you can buy products which reduce oiliness, marketed primarily to women using it prior to applying make-up, but which you may find very helpful.  Chanel do something called T-Mat, but there are cheaper versions available too.

I'm considering having some skin resurfacing done - such as microdermabrasion, which I'm hoping might help because it takes much more of the skin's surface off than home exfoliation, but who knows...