Your pores are the openings of the hair follicles onto the skin's surface. The hair follicles lie deep under the surface and also represent the places where your sebaceous (oil) glands empty into the hair follicle. Large pores are chiefly attributed to a person's genetic background and age (as you get older, your pores tend to enlarge). That does not mean, however, that there aren't actions you can take in order to make your pores less noticeable.
Step 1
Clean debris and oil from your face by washing it twice a day. Good hygiene is vital to keeping pores small, and cleaning away makeup, sweat or other built-up oils from your day can reduce pore size.
Step 2
Exfoliate using an over-the-counter exfoliating scrub (available and most drugstores or other beauty supply stores. Look for a scrub that contains rounded beads or seeds, as these are less likely to be harmfully abrasive than their uneven counterparts. Use the scrub no more than twice a week, as using it too much can strip the skin of its natural oils and cause the sebaceous glands to increase oil production, which can further enlarge pores.
Step 3
Reduce skin oiliness by using a mild astringent each day after removing your makeup or washing your face in the morning. Astringents contain active ingredients such as witch hazel, which helps to pull oil out of the pores and leaves the skin feeling refreshed.
Step 4
Reduce or eliminate the amount of sun you are exposed to on a daily basis. Sun exposure has been linked to enlarged pores, as the sun can damage the outer rims of the pores, leaving them permanently enlarged. If you must be outside for an extended period of time, be sure to regularly apply a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher, which helps to reduce the likelihood of a sunburn.
Step 5
Apply a topical retinoid, which is a pure form of vitamin A (brand names include Retin-A or Renova). This topical form helps to stimulate collagen growth. Collagen can diminish with age and cause pores to enlarge, making these treatments a valuable tool in reducing the appearance of large pores as this makes the skin appear more smooth.
Member Comments