Last updated: March 2026
What Is Skin Gritting?
Skin gritting is a multi-step cleansing method that uses oil cleansing and clay masks to draw out sebaceous filaments and blackhead buildup from pores.
The skin gritting technique involves three steps: first, an oil cleanse to loosen debris in pores; second, a clay mask to draw impurities to the surface; and third, a second oil cleanse to gently massage out the loosened plugs (the 'grits'). The tiny grain-like particles that come out are sebaceous filaments and oxidized oil. While it's a skincare technique rather than a makeup technique, it's widely discussed in makeup communities because clean, smooth pores make makeup application significantly better—foundation sits smoother and pores appear smaller. The method went viral on skincare forums and Reddit's SkincareAddiction community.
Tips
- Do skin gritting once a week maximum to avoid over-stripping your skin.
- Use a gentle oil cleanser (jojoba or DHC Deep Cleansing Oil) and a kaolin clay mask.
- Don't squeeze or press hard—the grits should come out with gentle circular massage on the second oil cleanse.
See it in action
Tutorials that use or demonstrate this technique: