Large pores are one of the most common skin complaints. They are right up there with aging symptoms like wrinkles and acne.
The difference between acne and large skin pores is that the latter is a cosmetic problem. However, they are still annoying.
Is it possible to shrink large pores? Well, there is a yes and no answer to this. Let’s take a look at what are large pores, what causes them, and how you can shrink them.
What causes large pores?
Pores are an essential part of your skin. They allow your skin to breathe. They produce sebum, which is the natural oil that keeps your skin moisturized. What can you realistically do for large pores?
We have to remember, that pores are hereditary. They are part of your genetics. In most cases, genetics determine whether you will have large pores or not.
However, in some cases, there are other factors that can determine the size of your pores.
Oily skin, or when your pores produce too much sebum, is one of the most common causes of large pores. Excess oil sits around the pores and makes them appear larger.
When your skin is not clear or has too much debris, impurities, and dead skin cells clogging the pores, they also appear larger.
Same as oil, debris can settle around the pores, and make them appear larger. Your skin will thicken as well, causing another problem.
We all know that makeup is something we use to conceal skin issues. But the irony is that makeup can actually make pores to appear larger. That is if you do not wash your makeup on a regular basis.
Last, but not least, aging and sun damage can also cause your pores to appear larger.
Can you close large pores?
This is one of the common questions. And sadly, the answer is no. You cannot close large pores. They are not like doors. You do not open or close up pores.
As mentioned previously, they play a large role in the health of your skin. In fact, pores are one of the most important aspects of healthy skin. They allow sebum, the oil that keeps your skin moisturized and lubricated to travel from the sebaceous glands to the surface of your skin.
In other words, you do not close your pores. You can make them visually appear smaller. Or, shrink them, if you like.
The hot and cold myth
This is one of the most common myths. No, hot water does not open up your pores, and cold water does not close them. What happens, in reality, is that heat expands and dilates the pore opening slightly, so it makes them appear larger.
Cold, on the other hand, does the opposite, causing the pores to constrict, and make them look smaller.
However, what you have to acknowledge is that both of these effects are just temporary. After just a few minutes, your skin will return to its normal temperature and pore size.
So, what can you do about large pores?
There are two things you have to remember. One, sadly, you cannot permanently change your pore size. However, what you can do is make your pores appear smaller.
Skin products that claim they can close your pores are just marketing sell-off. Do not believe in it. Despite all of the claims, toners, cleansers, and similar products cannot close your pores. But that doesn’t mean they are useless.
Pore-minimizing products can make your pores appear smaller. And they do this by exfoliating the skin, cleaning out dead skin cells, oils, and other impurities from the pores.
The biggest benefit of pore-minimizing products is that they keep the pores cleared of blockages.
With that in mind, here are several ways you can make your pores appear smaller.
- Choose water-based products to avoid extra oil getting into the pores. While this is more of a preventive measure, it can help you reduce the size of your pores if used regularly
- Wash your face in the morning and in the evening. This might be just basic skin care, but having a good face washing habit is crucial to prevent your pores from enlarging
- Exfoliate on a regular basis. You can choose any physical or chemical exfoliator, as long as you practice it regularly. Exfoliating can help remove impurities like dirt, oil, debris, dead skin cells, and other stuff clogging your pores
- If you have oily skin, choose gel-based cleansers, as they also prevent you from applying extra oil to your facial skin. Gel-based cleansers will not leave any residue in the pores that can clog them
- Speaking of regular skin care practices, it is important that you moisturize on a daily basis. Moisturizing will keep your skin hydrated and soft
- Apply a clay mask once or twice per week to soak up all of the dirt, oil, and debris from the pores, and wash it away
- Remember to always remove makeup in the night. A lot of people forget to remove makeup, and it is one of the biggest reasons why their pores appear larger. Makeup can clog your pores in a minute
- Last, but not least, wear sunscreen whenever you are out in the sun. When your skin is damaged by the sun, it looks dry and dull, and your pores appear much larger than they actually are
As you can see, the best regimen for making your pores appear smaller is a combination of cleansing, exfoliation, and moisturizing.
Can you prevent large pores?
As we mentioned previously, you cannot avoid genetics. They affect the size of your pores. However, what you can do is minimize the appearance and damage. Most of the treatments for making your pores appear smaller are also preventive measures.
Skin brushing can activate cells in the skin, clean the pores deeply, and prevent from appearing larger. With that in mind, here are three underrated advices for prevention of large pores.
- Eat well, consume the right balance of nutrients, including carbs, protein, and fat, to improve your overall health. A healthy diet usually results in healthy skin
- Drink plenty of water to provide hydration for your skin from within and improve your overall complexion
- Exercise on a regular basis to improve and increase blood flow to all parts of your body, including your skin
