Let’s talk about pores, baby! That song will be forever stuck in my head now… and yours. You’re welcome. So about those pores; why are they so big? How do I shrink them? I’m sure you’ve asked these questions to yourself at some point while staring into the mirror. Unless of course you are normal and don’t talk to yourself in the mirror. *Nervous laughter as I slowly step away from my mirror.
Well, good news is there are ways to minimize the appearance of large pores, but first, a little technical/medical lesson. Never thought about your pores before? Well aren’t you special.
What exactly are pores? All over the skin are tiny hairs, except on the palms of the hands and on the feet. Each of these hair follicles has a pore at the top of it and each has a gland inside that produces oil called the sebaceous gland.
When the sebaceous gland releases oil, the oil rises to the top of the skin and collects in the pore, which is nature’s way of keeping your skin hydrated and healthy. Those with excessive sebum (gland produces an excess of oil), have oilier skin. As oil collects in the pore and combines with dirt or makeup, the pore can become blocked, stretching the pore, making it look bigger. If the pore remains clogged, a pimple may develop (noooo).
Pore size can be contingent on a few factors though, mainly genetics and skin type. Some people are just born with tiny pores okay. Yes, yes, I know they’re the favorites. Also, those with oily or combination skin will typically have larger pores than those with dry skin. If this is you though, don’t fret, there is hope, I promise.
Told you I would help! Now, although “getting rid” of large pores isn’t exactly feasible, as pores, once enlarged, will not shrink (I’m telling you this now! After just telling you there is hope. Sorry.), there are ways to minimize the appearance and prevent other skin issues.
These are the basics people! SO SO important! Washing the face every morning and evening helps wash away oil and dirt from the pores and can help make them less visible.
Try Skinbetter Cleansing Gel or Skinbetter Oxygen Infusion Wash
Those with oily skin should exfoliate once or twice a week to remove things like dirt, dead skin cells, and excess oil that can clog the pores. Products to look for:
*It is important not to exfoliate more than twice a week, as this can dry out the skin. Although exfoliation helps keep pores unclogged, pores can look bigger if the skin becomes too dry.
Try Skinbetter Peel Pads or Epionce Lytic TX
Wait, oily skin person here! The idea of moisturizing oily skin may seem counterintuitive, but an oil-free or light moisturizer can help reduce pore enlargement, as well as keep excess oil at bay.
Moisturizing allows the good oil from the sebaceous glands to penetrate more deeply instead of collecting on the surface (see, the pore lesson wasn't so poor after all… still love a good pun though).
Try Skinbetter Trio , GlyMed CBD Facial Mist
Using a clay mask once or twice a week can help remove additional oil from the pores because clay absorbs sebum.
Try GlyMed Sulfur Masque
We all forget, but it’s definitely worth the little extra time!
Sleeping in makeup overnight can cause the pores to become blocked due to a buildup of makeup, oil, and bacteria.
It is crucial to care for the skin when in the sun. Sun exposure can dry the skin, making pores appear larger. Many moisturizers contain sunscreen, however using a separate sunscreen is preferred.
Keeping the skin protected from the sun keeps it supple. The best ways to do this are:
While home treatments and a regular skincare routine can help reduce the visibility of pores, the following can promote the overall health of your skin:
Yay! You made it to the bottom! Congrats on winning… just kidding, you don’t actually win anything EXCEPT the crucial, imperative, dare I say, life changing knowledge you need for minimizing large pores.
You’re welcome.
Oh, and in case it left your head already… “let’s talk about pores baby!”
