Enlarged pores are one major challenge for oily skin types. This is because their skin secretes more than enough sebum that is needed for lubrication. Their skin pores become visible with large holes in the skin. I know you want that baby’s velvety skin, that is so smooth and plump. Enlarges are not gender-specific. It affects both men and women.

What are pores?

Pores are the tiny openings at the top of our epidermis, connecting to sebacous gland and hair follicles via ducts. Our pores release sebum, which is your natural body oil, to naturally moisturize our skin to help keep it supple. Although enlarged pores can be frustrating, pores are necessary for maintaining healthy skin as well as absorbing topical skincare products we apply on the skin. Each pore contains a hair follicle and sebaceous glands.

While you can’t change the size of your pores, you can minimize the appearance of enlarged pores.

What are enlarged pores?

These are visible distortion or changes in the size of skin pores as a result of inflammations on the skin surface due to acne and pimples. Another cause high increase sebum secretion on the skin, making the pores to expand more than it is.

WHAT CAUSES ENLARGED PORES

 GENETICS

Your genes are the greatest determining factor of the size of your pore. People with enlarged pores often have family members with enlarging pores, this is common for oily skin types.

AGE

As you advance age-wise, your skin loses firmness due to a breakdown in collagen level. Your skin elasticity becomes weak, which causes your skin to stretch and sag, making pores appear larger.

SUN DAMAGE

The effects of the sun on your skin can not be overemphasized, minimal sun exposure is good for the skin as this is a source of vitamin D but it becomes bad when your skin is excessively exposed to the sun. sun damage causes hyperpigmentation, sun tan, skin burn, and even enlarged pores. Prolonged sun exposure can also remove collagen, elastin, and water from your skin, which causes the tissue beneath your skin to shrink and pull at the edges of your pores, making them sag and look bigger.

CLOGGED PORES

The accumulation of excess sebum on the skin and dead skin cells gathering in your pores can cause enlarged pores.

HAIR FOLLICLE SIZE

The bigger your hair follicle can make the pores on your skin larger than normal.

COMEDOGENIC PRODUCTS

These are topical skincare ingredients used in the formulation of certain products that has the capacity of shocking or clogging up your pores. It’s like when used on the skin, it block up your pores and make them to easily break out because bacteria can feed on them. Your pores become bigger and more visible to the eyes.

POPPING OUT WHITEHEADS/BLACKHEADS

Extraction processes either professionally or done by you with the help of extraction tools or needles or the use of hands can break your pores. Forcefully removing whiteheads and blackheads often times leaves your pore emptied and make them larger than usual. Popping out these types of acne enlarges your pores and most times after a while, they get filled up with whiteheads and blackheads again and increasing your pore size.

HOW TO MINIMIZE PORES

USE FACE WASH

Washing your face at least 2 times daily removes dirt, oil, and other unwanted debris, which usually clogged your pores. Invest in a good skin-friendly anti-inflammatory cleanser to keep your skin clean. Use cleanser as recommended for your skin types and concerns.

MASKS WEEKLY

Clay masks are rich oil-absorbing products, when applied directly on your skin, it instantly tightens and shrinks your pores as it gets dried up gradually. A clay mask is an effective remedy for enlarged pores and a good way to start shrinking your pores and exfoliating them as well. An example of clay is kaolin, natural clay that is added to skin formulations to help draw out excess sebum(oil) from your skin.

Clay masks can be combined with other ingredients to best fit your skin concerns.  For example, sulfur a natural antibacterial can fight acne, charcoal powder draws up oil, Vitamin E microbeads replenish skin moisture, and pumpkin enzymes help regenerate skin and refine pore size. To avoid skin irritation, masks should not be used more than twice a week. We offer different masks and scrubs to fit your skin type – acne, combo, dry, normal, oily, and sensitive.

EXFOLIATE 

Exfoliation removes dead skin cells from your skin. Exfoliation brightens skin as well as improves the overall skin texture. If you are routinely removing the dead skin cells that clog your pores, your pores won’t stretch out and look larger.

There are two types of exfoliants:

1. Physical Exfoliators: They are mechanical exfoliants that have tiny scrubbing particles that you can feel with your hands. Usually used to remove dead skin cells on the face and body. Examples are sugar scrubs, salt scrubs, and jojoba beads scrubs.
2. Chemical Exfoliators: Chemical exfoliants have two subcategories, AHAs and BHAs:

Alpha Hydroxy Acids

They are mostly derived from natural ingredients, glycolic acid from sugar cane, lactic acid from milk, malic acid from apples, citric acid from citrus, and tartaric acid from grapes. These acids are water soluble and capable of enhancing our skin’s natural moisture levels, decreasing the look of wrinkles and fine lines, smoothing rough skin texture, and improving dull, uneven skin tone.

 Beta Hydroxy Acids

it is usually referred to as salicylic acid. BHAs are similar to AHAs but work more deeply within our skin, inside the lining of our pores. They are also oil soluble, meaning they are ideal for oily skin. They are also a great ingredient for calming red skin, even for those who have rosacea.

You do not want to over-exfoliate your skin though. This can irritate and compromise your skin barrier. If this occurs, decrease the frequency of use, strength, or type of exfoliation.

Choose the exfoliator that fits your skin type – acne, combo, dry, oily, normal, oily, sensitive.

MOISTURIZE

Moisturizing your skin every day helps to hydrate and keep your skin healthy. This can reduce the chance of developing dry or oily skin — both of which can cause acne.

The best moisturizers for enlarged pores should complement your skin type. Choose a suitable moisturizer for your skin type.

USE COLLAGEN-PRODUCING PRODUCTS

Retinol is a vitamin A derivative, it slows signs of aging, prevents breakouts, and keeps your pores open and healthy. Retinoids clear clogged oil and dead skin cells to make pores appear smaller by increasing cell turnover and unclogging pores.

Vitamin C is an antioxidant that boosts collagen production in addition to protection against photodamage which causes enlarged pores.

Glycolic Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid that helps regenerate collagen as well exfoliates dead skin.

Collagen helps build firmer and supple skin, making your skin look youthful and beautiful.

USE SUNSCREEN

Do you want to prevent sun damage? Then sunscreen is a must. Constant sun exposure will result in enlarged pores that will begin to stretch and sag around the edges, which makes them look bigger. For everyday sunscreen use, wear your sunscreen every time.

CHEMICAL PEELS

A chemical peel is a great option for shrinking enlarged pores because it can remove the outer, damaged layer of the skin with an acidic solution to improve your skin’s appearance and texture. Your enlarged pores are shrunk with this acidic solution but you must be careful not to cause damage to your skin. It is advisable you see a dermatologist or an esthetician for a chemical peel procedure.

 LASER THERAPY

By heating up collagen to promote collagen regeneration, enlarged pores and shallow acne scars can improve. The laser system is a safe way to treat vascular, pigmented, and certain non-pigmented lesions. This system yields excellent results with no damage to the surrounding skin.

MICRODERMABRASION

A 30-minute microdermabrasion treatment can promote micro-circulation and oxygen production, effectively boosting collagen, elastin, exfoliation, and healthy skin. This improves your skin health.

MICRONEEDLING

Microneedling is also a great way to reduce enlarged pores. Tiny needles create controlled micro-injuries to the skin to aid in the production of collagen and elastin. The skin’s repair process results in a thicker epidermis with a softer appearance of wrinkles. In addition, micro-needling or the use of derma rollers creates micro-channels, which allow the skin to absorb topical gels, creams, and serums more effectively, enhancing the deeper layers of the skin.

Can you shrink your pores permanently?

You cannot shrink pores permanently. No skincare products or procedure out there does that. You can only minimize or shrink the size of your pores with the right products over time with consistency. Do allow anyone to deceive you.

How do I reduce the size of my pores?

use a clay mask, or DIYS-like topical use of egg white can reduce the size of your pores. alternatively, visit a dermatologist for enlarged pore shrinking procedures.

How long does it take to shrink pores?

Consistency is key. whatever way or method you want to adopt to reduce or minimize your pores depends on how often you use them. You can see a visible change between 4-6 weeks and for professional procedures, 2-3 visits will do that for you.