Although skin pores play a crucial role in the body, they can sometimes be a massive source of frustration. No one wants to see small holes across their cheeks and nose when they look in the mirror every morning. If you are self-conscious about your pore size, you are not alone.
Pore size is one of the top skincare complaints among both women and men. You cannot make your pores disappear, but you can make them look smaller. You need your pores because that is how body toxins, sweat, and oil reach your skin surface. Here is an exclusive look on how to get rid of and prevent large pores and everything else that you need to know.
What Causes Enlarged Pores?
Enlarged pores generally occur when the sebaceous glands produce large amounts of sebum, when mixed with dead skin cells and impurities, the pores become clogged.
In order to effectively get rid of excess sebum, the pores become larger and more visible. Here are a few causes of enlarged pores on the skin:
Oily skin
People with oily skin are more likely to have large pores. The more sebum your skin produces, the bigger the chance that your pores get clogged with oil and impurities.
Bad skin habits
Large pores may be caused by some bad skin care habits, namely poor skin cleansing and hygiene, too aggressive exfoliation techniques, and the use of comedogenic skin care products and makeup that clog the pores of the skin.
Age
As the skin gets older, it loses its elasticity and becomes more susceptible to getting clogged with dirt, dead skin, and sebum.
Gender
There are some differences between the skin of a man and a woman. Generally, man has an oiler skin and hence need skincare products made specifically for their skin.
According to research, the higher amount of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and testosterone in the male body is the cause of an oiler skin. The hormones stimulate sebaceous glands causing the production of excess oil and enlarged pores.
External factors
Enlarged pores can also be caused by some external factors that either cause increased sebum production, pores clogging, or a decrease in skin’s elasticity, those factors include excessive UV rays exposure, tobacco, environmental pollutants, etc.
Ethnicity
Ethnicity is another main factor when it comes to pore size. For example, the Chinese have smaller pores than other ethnicities according to research. On the other hand, African Americans have a higher probability of having oily skin, which often results in larger pores. And although dark skin tones are more susceptible to oily skin, the pores are not as visible as they are on a lighter skin tone.
Genetics
Genetics is one of the main causes of enlarged pores. If your parents have large pores, you are more likely to have them.
How to Tighten Enlarged Pores?
Here are some of the best ways to help shrink the appearance of pores for a flawless look.
Skincare Routines
The key to tightening enlarged pores is keeping them clear by carrying out good and effective skincare routines.
1. Pick your skincare products carefully
When choosing your skincare products and makeup, make sure the mention noncomedogenic or oil-free is on the label, that means they are designed to not clog your pores.
Choose products that have zinc and magnesium in their formula, they are proven to help unclog pores and restore your skin’s natural sebum levels, which will make the pores look smaller.
Some ingredients such as retinol and salicylic acid are also great for unclogging pores and minimizing enlarged pores.
You should avoid skin products with heavy components such as mineral oil and petroleum, which might irritate the pores and make them appear larger.
2. Cleanse your face
Always wash your face with a face cleanser before going to bed to prevent the makeup and dirt of the day from clogging the pores.
If done correctly, cleansing your face twice daily, once in the morning and once in the evening, can help unclog pores, minimize enlarged pores, and reduce oiliness.
Here are few things to keep in mind for an effective face cleansing:
- Choose a gentle, non-comedogenic cleanser to gently wipe away oil and impurities without stripping your skin of hydration. The best types of cleansers for oily skin are foams, gels, powders, and clays.
- Only use warm water to wash your face. Hot water can cause your pores to look even larger.
- Using your fingertips, gently massage the cleanser over your face. Rubbing your cleanser harder may cause inflammation, redness, and sensitivity. You can also use a silicone face brush to thoroughly and gently cleanse your face.
- Rinse thoroughly with cold water to help tighten the pores and pat your skin dry
After work out, ensure you cleanse your skin because sweat can carry debris and cosmetics to the pore opening and stretch it.
If you wear too much make-up, it is highly recommended to double cleanse your face in the evening.
For more information about double cleansing and the perfect skincare routine for oily skin, check out this article.
3. Exfoliate your skin
Regular exfoliating is also a perfect skincare step to incorporate in your skincare routine.
In order to get the best results, it is recommended to exfoliate one to two times a week to get rid of pore enlarging dead cells from the surface of your skin, which keeps the pores clean from debris and bacteria while making them look smaller.
The best exfoliants for large pores are those that have salicylic acid or glycolic acid in their formula. These ingredients are great in gently shedding excess oil and dirt from the skin and exfoliating dead cells. Salicylic acid penetrates deeper into the pores to fight acne and blackheads.
Check out our list of the best exfoliators for large pores.
4. Moisturize for balanced hydration
One of the most common misconceptions people have is that oily skin doesn’t need moisturization as much as other skin types. In fact, skipping this crucial skincare step can cause the skin to produce even more sebum to make up for the lack of moisture.
Use a moisturizer that is light and water-based. Stay away from comedogenic moisturizers that can clog the pores as they can worsen enlarged pores.
5. Use sunscreen daily
Before leaving the house, applying a sunblock with a minimum SPF of 30 adapted to your skin type each day will help prevent sun-damaged skin.
Other than increasing your risk of premature aging and skin cancer, sun damage causes a decrease in collagen production, which makes your pores more noticeable.
To protect your skin from sun damage, apply the sunscreen about fifteen minutes before heading outside.
Facial Treatments
Microdermabrasion
Microdermabrasion is one of the gentlest and most non-invasive anti-aging treatments today. This technique consists of polishing away dry, dead skin cells from the superficial layer of the skin by using a diamond-tipped or a crystal-tipped vacuum handpiece.
This procedure can be performed either at-home or in a dermatologist’s office.
The process has some amazing skin benefits, other than shrinking enlarged pores, it helps eliminate wrinkles and other signs of aging, age spots, acne, even out your skin tone and much more.
We reviewed the best at home microdermabrasion machines on the market, to read our reviews and learn more about the procedure, click here.
Peeling
This involves the use of a chemical peel to buff away the outer skin layer. The dermatologist will advise you on the best chemical that is ideal for your needs. This technique minimizes your large pores and also enhances your skin texture and appearance.
Laser
Also known as laser resurfacing, it removes the skin layer that is damaged to promote new skin cells formation and collagen production. Laser resurfacing is a great treatment that helps tighten enlarged pores permanently.
Home Remedies - How to Get Rid of Large Pores
Open pores can be treated with home remedies. Here are some home remedies that can help you minimize and shrink the size of pores:
Sugar Honey Scrub
One of the top home remedies is the use of honey and sugar scrub. This is a natural pore cleanser with anti-bacterial properties that helps to keep the skin moist. You can make the home remedy by mixing a spoonful of honey, a spoonful of sugar and drops of olive oil.
Egg Whites
Egg whites are also useful in reducing pores visibility. Whisk the white part of the egg with a few drops of lemon juice. Apply the mask, leave it for about twenty minutes, and wash it off with warm water. It is a great way to combat oily skins and tighten enlarged pores.
Plain Yogurt
Applying a plain yogurt mask is very useful in reducing the appearance of large and open pores. Apply it about once a week to help tighten your enlarged pores.
Baking Soda Exfoliating Toner
A baking soda exfoliating toner is an effective way of tightening enlarged pores. Put two spoonfuls of baking soda into a cup of lukewarm water and mix. Apply it on the forehead, chin, and nose to get rid of dead skin cells and minimize the large pores.
Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is a powerful home remedy in fighting acne, oily skin, and shrinking the open and large pores. Mix about four drops of tea tree oil in a cup of water and put the mixture in a clean spray bottle. Spray it on the face twice a day or use a piece of cotton to apply the natural toner.
How to Prevent Large Pores?
While nothing can be done to change age, ethnicity, and genetics, there are several ways that you can use to prevent large pores from occurring in the first place.
Keep your face clean and exfoliated
Make sure to always keep your face clean and exfoliated so your pores stay free of excess sebum and dirt.
Follow the skincare routine described above for the best results.
Eat a balanced diet
It goes without saying that the food that we eat has a direct impact on our skin health.
While eating healthy food will not directly shrink the size of pores, it can dramatically change their appearance by keeping your skin in a great condition.
So, ensure that you eat a balanced diet to give your body crucial nutrients such as antioxidant-rich foods, dark leafy green vegetables, vitamin-rich foods, especially vitamin A, B6, C, and E, etc.
Don’t forget to drink at least eight glasses of water each day.
Clean Your Skin Before Going to Bed
If you wear makeup, don’t go to bed with the makeup on. Cosmetics can combine with oil, dirt, and bacteria and clog up your pores, making them look bigger and more pronounced.
It is thus essential to wash the makeup off before going to bed no matter how late it is or how tired you feel.
Conclusion: How to Get Rid of Large Pores
Even with your perceived flaws, you should remember that your skin requires having pores. The pores have an essential role, and it is not realistic to expect your skin to be pore-free and perfectly smooth. However, the outlined tips will help you prevent or shrink enlarged pores if they are bothersome to you. You just need to be realistic in what these pore shrinking products can do for your skin.
Hi, it’s Judy!
I’m a blogger and fashion enthusiast. I have more than 7 years of experience as a beauty, fashion, and lifestyle writer and editor, and I’m extremely passionate about what I do.