I do this too Anthony, I once read a helpful article all about skin and the functions of all the different parts of it and why we injure ourselves by skin picking. There is loads of text so it might take a while to read...
Stop Self Injurious Skin Picking - Heal the Nervous Obsessive Compulsive Habit of Skin and Acne Picking
It did help temporarily when I really realised the damage, and now it does make me stop sooner and I don't gouge quite so much but I just relapse constantly and I waste hours picking when I should be working or doing other stuff. I'm talking to my therapist about it. It's a cross between self-harm and OCD. I know exactly what you mean about trying to make yourself clean and smooth. Once I've caused a big bleeding red lesion on my face I then obsess about healing it - it becomes this absurd ritual. It's also not about pain for me.