Enlarged pores are a beauty issue that many people deal with. When your pores are too large, it is difficult to get the highly-coveted “glass skin” look – where your skin looks almost flawless.
You might be wondering how you can make your pores smaller. Unfortunately, there is nothing you can do to totally “erase” or “eliminate” your pores.
Pores are a structural layer of your skin that will always be there, whether you like them or not. Ignore any masks or strips that claim to “eradicate” your pores and concentrate on what you can do to address your pore issues.
If your pores look wider, deeper, and more prominent than you would like, they are probably clogged.
Luckily, while you cannot change the natural size of your pores, there is plenty you can do to prevent them from clogging up and looking more prominent. Unclogging your pores can make them shrink and retreat to where they are less conspicuous.
Let us explore some of the best ways and products to unclog and minimise your pores:
- Wash your face twice a day
Washing your face is a basic part of your skincare routine. If you usually wash your face once a day, scale it up to twice a day – in the morning and in the evening.
Go for a gel-based cleanser – avoiding oil-based or alcohol-based cleansers that can irritate your skin. A gel-based cleanser will clear oil from your pores without leaving residue, which will help reduce the appearance of your pores.
When washing your face, use lukewarm water that will help remove oil-based residue from your skin. Avoid rubbing or scrubbing your skin. After rinsing off the cleanser, pat your face dry with a clean towel.
- Exfoliate with AHAs or BHAs
Exfoliating one to two times per week is recommended by the American Academy of Dermatology. Exfoliation removes dead skin cells that can block pores without over-stripping the skin.
To avoid irritating your pimples, however, skip your exfoliating session if you are currently experiencing an acne breakout.
If possible, use exfoliants that contain alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) or beta-hydroxy acids (BHAs). They help slough dead skin cells from your skin.
In addition, they penetrate deep into your pores and unclog them, which helps treat and prevent acne. If you are allergic to aspirin, however, it is best to avoid salicylic acid.
- Don’t skip moisturiser
Many people with enlarged pores have oily skin. You might be tempted to skip moisturiser since your skin looks oily – do not. Applying a moisturiser prevents your skin from producing even more oil to compensate for a lack of hydration. By simply applying a moisturiser every day, you can keep your skin hydrated, reduce oiliness, and shrink your pores.
It will be best to avoid common moisturising ingredients such as petrolatum, coconut oil, and other types of oil. While they are effective in hydrating the skin, they are not suitable for people struggling with enlarged pores or oily skin. The excess oil will only lead to further clogging of your pores.
Go for water-based formulas if you want to minimise your pores. You will benefit from humectant-rich rather than oil products. Some of the most common humectants in skincare products include honey and urea.
- Try clay masks
Clay can help absorb excess oil from your skin, which will shrink your pores. Once or twice a week, apply a clay mask. Getting rid of the oil might help prevent pores from enlarging and becoming more conspicuous.
Because over-treating the skin might create irritation, it is best to use a clay mask on a day that you are not exfoliating. Irritation can cause pores to enlarge even further.
- Always remove makeup before bed
One of the cardinal rules of skincare is to never leave your makeup on when going to bed. Cosmetics, combined with debris, oil, and germs that have accumulated on your face over the course of the day can clog your pores when left on overnight.
When you wake up the next day, your pores may appear larger due to all that gunk.
No matter how exhausted you are or how late you arrive home, it is important to remove your makeup before hitting the sheets. Use a gentle makeup remover to make the process a little easier and more beneficial.
