Article by BR Georgiana
It’s official. Everyone hates enlarged pores.
While to some they may be just a 5-letter word with dermatological connotation, to others (the ones “blessed” with really noticeable pores) they are a constant source of grief every time they look in the mirror and see the size of them.
If you happen to fall in the second category, you should probably read on to find out what can make a dramatic change. But first, let’s start at the beginning, shall we?
What exactly is a pore?
Pores are actually tiny openings in our skin. We have thousands of them on our face and actually millions all over our body, except for our palms, soles and eyelids where no hair grows. The hair follicles that grow from these openings are extremely important because they allow the oil produced by sebaceous glands to reach and lubricate the skin surface. If this process never happened, healthy and supple skin would be a utopia. Without pores our skin would not breathe, our body would overheat and our capacity to sweat would be zero. Pores help skin expel debris, oil and dirt. Case in point, they are more important than you ever thought.
Why are pores more noticeable on some people than others?
Try to spot one single enlarged pore on a baby’s skin! You will grow old looking for it. But as we inevitably age, pores become quite noticeable in some of us, and here are the main reasons:
Sun exposure: excessive exposure to sunrays weakens mercilessly the structure of our skin and causes pore walls to sag, hence look visibly enlarged.
Genetics: if sun can be somehow avoided, you can’t escape genes. If your close family members had large pores, you are very likely to inherit them. Gasp.
Oily Skin: this skin type is normally more prone to having larger pores because excess oil collects around them making skin swell.
Aging: the more candles we blow on our birthday cakes, the more our elastin and collagen levels decrease. These guys are responsible for keeping skin look tight and youthful, and once they start breaking down our pores tend to appear larger. How sad.
Faulty skin care: if people loved their skin more, this bullet point would not exist. Unfortunately we sometimes sleep with our makeup on, or don’t even bother to exfoliate our skin. Such bad habits tend to clog our pores. And you already know the outcome.
What can you do about enlarged pores?
Changing your skin care routine will surely improve the appearance of your pores. Are you willing to change your beauty habits? Start with:
Regular Exfoliation: by shedding dead skin cells you will help your skin improve its texture, reveal the fresh layer underneath and prevent pore clogging. And your best bet is Neutrogena’s Pore Refining Exfoliating Cleanser. International enlarged pore owners are raving about this gentle formula with exfoliating micro beads that sweeps away dead skin and is great for smoothing over uneven patches. The secret of this successful product is the combination of alpha and beta-hydroxy acids which penetrate into pores removing oil, dirt and makeup – the main elements that clog and enlarge pores. If you want my advice, don’t waste your time testing and splurging on other products. Pores will appear twice less visible after just one week thanks to this cleanser.
Sun Protection: If your pores are already enlarged, protect your face every time you go out. Use protection regularly, a hat, sunglasses, but try to stay indoors during peak hours.
Boosting your collagen and elastin production: your skin needs some extra help in producing these two proteins for firm, elastic skin.
Hydration: drinking plenty of water is crucial for flushing out toxins. Help your skin look great from the inside!
What are Alpha and Beta-Hydroxy acids and how can they help?
Alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) are organic compounds frequently used in cosmetics for decreasing enlarged pores. They improve irregular pigmentation and correct fine lines. The five major types of AHAs found in skin care products are: glycolic acid (derived from sugar cane), malic acid (from apples and pears), lactic acid (from milk), citric acid (from citrus fruits) and tartaric acid (from grapes).
Beta-hydroxy acid (salicylic acid) is a great skin exfoliator that improves skin aged prematurely due to excessive sun exposure. A fantastic ingredient for fighting acne, this acid is oil soluble which makes it easy to penetrate oil-clogged pores and shed dead skin cells.
How do toning and exfoliation help?
Exfoliation is key for treating enlarged pores, and unfortunately people tend to ignore this important beauty step. Toning your skin after exfoliation is a great way to help pores close and tighten the skin tissue around them. Toner refines the skin and make pores less visible, restoring skin’s natural balance. Don’t skip it!
If you have been struggling for a long time with visible pores it is time for a change. Try some of these tips for the next month and report back on the difference you see.
Ready to experience new skin?
I never do any of these. Maybe its time I started.