If your pores have been feeling particularly congested lately – blackheads, whiteheads, and mystery bumps taking up residency across your T-zone – an extraction facial might just be your skin's version of a spring clean. After all, between city grime, SPF, and an overly oily skin type, it's easy for pores to get blocked. Enter: extraction facials, aka the deep skin detox.
Less about flickering candles and cucumber eyes, more about precision and results, extraction facials are designed to reset your skin from the inside out, leaving it smoother, brighter, and infinitely less bumpy. Here's everything you need to know...
What are extraction facials?
Think of an extraction facial as your pores' version of a professional declutter. During the treatment, a therapist deeply cleanses and exfoliates your skin before carefully clearing out congestion using sterile tools.
The focus is on removing blackheads, whiteheads and built-up debris in a controlled, hygienic way — no squeezing in your bathroom mirror required.
Many modern versions also combine chemical exfoliants (like AHAs or BHAs) and calming LED therapy to reduce redness and prevent future breakouts. It's practical, not pampering, but the glow afterwards makes it so worth it.
Where to get an extraction facial
When it comes to any skincare treatment, particularly an extraction facial that's somewhat invasive, the key is to go somewhere reputable. Many clinics offer extraction facials; however, they may not be directly advertised as an 'extraction facial'. Instead, it's always best to enquire or even ask if they offer bespoke treatments to cater to your skins wants and needs.
Below, see some Cosmo-approved faves:
- Dr David Jack Clinic, Belgravia, London – particularly, the Pore Perfecting Facial (more on this particular treatment below).
- Sarah Chapman Skinesis Clinic, Sloane Square, London.
- Face Place at The Rosewood Hotel, Holborn, London – particularly the Face Place Signature Iderm Treatment.
- Skinwork, Soho, London.
- Young LDN, Notting Hill, London.
- Hydrafacial, all over the UK – combines exfoliation, gentle vacuum-powered extraction, and serum infusion to deep clean and unclog pores.
My experience
At a glance…
The treatment: Dr David Jack’s Pore Perfecting Facial, Belgravia, London.
The time and cost: £160 for 30 minutes (with an optional LED add-on for an extra £30 per 15 minutes).
The tea: This facial treatment typically includes a cleanse, signature micropeel and manual extractions, but it can also be tweaked to your needs. It’s ideal for clarifying congested skin, treating blocked pores and improving the texture of your skin.
Let me preface this by saying: I love a bougie spa moment just as much as the next girl does. Enya playing in the background, lavender mist filtering through the purified air, rose quartz massaging your third eye chakra. But this? This was not that. Welcome to the no-frills, no-fluff world of the Dr David Jack Pore Perfecting Facial – aka the facial equivalent of a lab coat and clipboard. Clinical, efficient and zero nonsense, not even music. Think: grey walls, hushed tones and the unavoidable smell of hand sanitiser and antiseptic wipes. So, with that in mind, if you’re looking for a vibey wellness experience, you may want to look elsewhere; however, if your skin is screaming for a deep clean like mine was? Pull up a (sterile) chair.
Step one: cleanse. My facialist, Anna, gave my face a thorough, unscented wipe-down using the Dr David Jack Supernova Antioxidant Cleansing Gel to prep for the subsequent actives. Enter: the power players. First up in the ring (aka on my face), mandelic acid, a gentle yet exfoliating AHA that penetrates deep into the pores, followed by azelaic acid layered right on top. Both are an oily, congested skin’s worst nightmare and, therefore, my new best friends.
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Next up came the extractions. Anna got all up in my grill with varying sizes and shapes of comedone extractors (a surgical-looking tool, typically made of stainless steel, used to safely remove blackheads and whiteheads from the skin), which aim to improve skin texture and reduce breakouts. Each pinch, squeeze and tug wasn’t exactly painful, but it definitely was intense. (Side note: you may think you can replicate this technique at home, but to put it simply, you cannot – not all pores should be squeezed! Please always seek professional advice for at-home pore care.)
Anna finished with a high-tech light therapy device, using blue light to zap any acne-causing bacteria and near-infrared light to speed up healing. After 15 minutes of light therapy (and a power nap), I walked out onto the streets of south-west London feeling like my skin could actually breathe again. Albeit, while looking a little red.
Downtime-wise (after your facial), Anna recommended rocking a fresh face for the rest of the day, but you’re fine to wear makeup should you wish. All in all, continuing with your regular skincare schedule post-facial is A-okay.
Though Dr Jack recommends this treatment on a monthly basis, it’s a bit unrealistic for this budget-balling Cosmo girl, so, between some slightly more achievable quarterly appointments, I’m all about using active ingredients to minimise the look of my pores. Mandelic acid, azaleic acid, I’m looking at you. Regina George and her huge pores could never.
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Lia Mappoura (she/her) is the Beauty Writer at Cosmopolitan UK, with over four years of experience reporting across the brand's print, social, video and digital platforms. Lia covers everything from emerging trend analysis to viral celebrity hair and makeup moments, making her an expert at spotting the season’s next big beauty look (before it takes over social media feeds).
In 2025, she was named The Rising Media Star at the Love Perfume Awards with The Perfume Shop, recognised for her outstanding digital fragrance content and for building genuine authority within the space. She is passionate about challenging outdated beauty stereotypes, championing inclusive representation in beauty, and educating readers on the trends, products and conversations shaping the industry today. Follow her on Instagram or find her on LinkedIn.
