Do you get uncomfortable because the pores of your skin appear larger than normal when you stare at the mirror? Pores are not skin diseases but they make a lot of people pretty uneasy, right? Pores allow the skin to breathe and absorb products in order to stay healthy. The moment your pores become clogged, chances are that you will have acne. However, there are approved tips to shrink your pores.
Most tend to experience the enlargement of their pores as they hit puberty. The flawless, soft and tender skin of a baby is made possible because of the absence of pores.
Meanwhile, pores become more obvious with age, especially during puberty. However, the appearance of pores is determined by several factors including complexion.
Causes of Pores Enlargement
Several reasons have been cited for the increase in the size of the pores. This includes genes. Therefore, if you have either of your parents with large pores, you will likely have large pores too.
According to dermatologists, the following factors also account for the enlargement of the pores:
- Oil Production: The face has more sebaceous glands, an oil-releasing gland, at the center of the face. This is why you find most people with pores at the centre of their faces.
- Sex: More men have larger pores because they tend to have oily skin and more sebaceous glands.
- Aging: Everybody loses collagen and elastin in the skin with time and this causes the enlargement of pores.
- Sun Damage: Longer duration of exposure to the ultraviolet rays of the sun breaks the elastin and collagen in the skin. Consequently, this will reduce the firmness of the skin and cause the enlargement of pores.
Is it Possible to Shrink Pores?
Pores expand and contracts like the several tissues of the body. However, there are techniques that can be adapted to permanently minimize their size.
Tightening the skin pores with ice cubes is not similar to shrinking pores. While this can work for a while, the pores can become enlarged again as soon as the skin is subjected to heat.
Without further ado, let’s take a look at the methods used to shrink pores.
1) Exfoliate your skin regularly
Exfoliation is the process of removing dead skin from the outermost layer of the skin. This method does not only improve the appearance of the skin. It also gets rid of dead skin cells and exposes fresh and healthy skin.
This routine can be easily carried out in the spa or a beauty salon. Most people exfoliate their skin at home but you are always taking advantage of the professionals proving this service.
Most exfoliation ingredients include acids like lactic and glycolic but it is important to avoid substances that can over-exfoliate and cause damage.
2) Use Retinol
Retinol is used to cure so many skin anomalies like acne and wrinkles. Surprisingly, it has also been found to shrink large pores because of the vitamin derivatives it contains.
According to findings, retinol tends to increase collagen production in the skin and keep it supple. The best application time for retinol serum is bedtime to avoid increasing sun sensitivity. You don’t have to apply so much from the onset. Start by applying twice a week until you start using it on a daily basis.
3) Add vitamin A to your diet
Vitamins are necessary to keep the skin healthy. Vitamin A has antioxidant properties that help to deal with large pores. If your pores are enlarged, you should have Vitamin A in your diet. Vitamin A is a group of organic compounds including retinol, retinal, retinoic acid, and several provitamins A carotenoids, which all help to clear clogged pores and give the skin a breather.
4) Wash Up Twice A Day
Cold water controls the secretion of sebum, reducing pore size and eliminating breakouts.
Normally, you should wash up twice daily. In the morning, wash away excess dirt and oil created from your nighttime skincare routine. In the evening, wash off the dirt, makeup, and oil that have accumulated on your skin during the day. This makes your skin ready for your nighttime skincare. If you exercise during the day and need to wash off sweat, you may add a third time. However, prevent over-washing. This can remove all your skin’s natural oil, resulting in dehydration.
5) Do Laser Treatment
Laser therapy treatments can resurface the skin by shrinking large pores.
After exfoliation, the skin produces collagen under the skin which forms clogs that keep the skin firmer and tighter. Laser treatments produce quicker results and a more noticeable difference than any other homemade treatment.
6) Try Microneedling
Microneedling is one of the surgical methods used to shrink the pores of the skin. This is achieved through plumping of the skin. This process involves puncturing the skin with sterile needles. It is done to create micro-trauma in the skin, thereby stimulating a healing process. And as you know, collagen is produced enormously during healing which strengthens structures around pores.
Although the process of micro needling is quite discomforting, it is not necessarily painful. The process makes patients feel like they have a mild sunburn but it eventually clogs the pores on the skin.
7) Do A Chemical Peel
A chemical peel is a procedure in which a chemical solution is applied to the skin to remove the top layers. The skin that grows back is usually smoother and healthier. The process of removing the top layers of the skin helps to remove dead cells and excess oil, thereby reducing enlarged pores.
Most chemical peels are alpha or beta hydroxy acids (AHA or BHA), which are said to be effective for the removal of dead skin cells.
8) Stay Hydrated
You cannot overdrink water. Water benefits the internal and external organs of the body including the skin. And when you are hydrated, your skin will appear smaller.
If you are adequately hydrated or apply hydrating skin care products, your skin will be plumped and you will experience contraction and expansion normally.
Hydrating ingredients include rose water, honey, aloe vera and glycerine. The ingredients in skincare products keep your skin hydrated that’s why emollient ingredients like shea butter, seed oil, and jojoba oil keep the skin clear of debris.
9) Don’t Sleep With Make-Up On
Most women are not confident without wearing makeup. Although there is nothing wrong with wearing makeup, it becomes worse if you don’t allow your skin to breathe especially during bedtime. Even if you have large pores, which often means more oil production, get a solution instead of covering the pores with makeup.
Pro tip: Ensure you avoid shimmery makeup and use only products that are labelled as non-comedogenic.
10) Get Out into Nature
According to research, there are plants with natural astringent properties that are effective for shrinking pores.
“Astringent substances cause tissue to gently tighten and contract, which can cause the pores to temporarily contract and, therefore, appear smaller. So, choosing skincare products containing them is a great way to help pores shrink,” Pontillo advises.
In addition, cucumber and aloe vera gel are natural products that are used to reduce the appearance of pores, this is because they have cooling properties.
11) Wear Sunscreen
Sunscreens are one of the most underrated skin care products and they have a lot of benefits. The sun can destroy the skin’s elastin and collagen. Hence, you should always wear sun protection before stepping out.
Broad-spectrum is said to be the best sunscreen for protection against the sun.
Conclusion
Without pores, you will have unhealthy skin. However, if you are not impressed with the size of your pores, the above methods are found to be effective for minimizing them.
But you must be consistent with the methods in order to get tangible results. There are no quick fixes for enlarged pores but adherence to the stipulated solution is a hack for the skin issue.
