Need Help Reducing the Size of Your Pores? Check Out These Tips
If you have clear skin but are still bothered by the size of your pores, don’t worry—you’re not alone. If your pores aren’t tiny enough that they can only be seen through a microscope, it’s likely that you’ve spent at least a few minutes wondering why they seem to be so large.
Although every person has pores, not everyone’s are visible without a magnifier. While you cannot physically shrink your pores, there are ways to make them appear smaller. As a result, your skin will have a more flawless finish.
What Are Pores, and Why Do We Have Them?
Though you may not think so, the pores on your skin play an important role. Pores are found all over your body–not just on your face. They help human skin breathe and also protect it from outside forces. The latter is vital as protection for our largest organ: the skin.
Although you may commonly hear them mentioned together, pores and hair follicles are actually two different skin structures that are found all over your body.
- Hair Follicles. The hair follicle is a tiny tube-shaped structure found in the epidermis, which is the outermost layer of skin. The hair follicle contains and helps grow your hair.
- Pores. Pores are tiny holes in your skin that hair follicles grow out of. You can see them when you look closely in the mirror.
The sebaceous glands are located next to the hair follicles and produce oil known as sebum. In addition to moisturizing the hair and skin, this protecting barrier also prevents loss of moisture from the skin. Although beneficial, too much sebum can result in clogged pores which often leads to acne or breakouts.
Sweat glands use pores to release sweat and cool the body down when needed. Although, not all pores are connected to a sweat gland. The majority of sweat glands are found on the feet, hands, forehead, armpits, and groin area but they can be located anywhere on the body.
Though many of us hope to have perfect skin, some of us seem to be stuck with large pores. But what are pores and why do they even matter?
Why Do Pores Appear to be Large?
Although you may not like it, probably understanding that knowing your pores are important changes the fact they appear large. Usually, large pores are located in the T-zone area on people’s faces; this includes the forehead, nose, and chin. Although some people have them on their cheeks and jawline too.
Many people believe that the size of their pores is due to environmental factors or a poor skincare routine, when in reality it is largely predetermined by genetics.
Genetics
The size of your pores generally depends on genetics and how oily your skin is. People with dry skin usually have smaller pores, whereas people with oilier skin tend to have larger ones. Even though this might not seem ideal, the truth is that producing more sebum actually gives you a better chance at maintaining youthful-looking skin for longer.
Sebum protects and hydrates the skin, which in turn can help reduce fine lines and wrinkles.
Basically, if one or both of your parents have oily skin or visible pores, you’re more likely to have them as well.
Hormones
Hormones can also affect the size of our pores. Androgens encourage higher production levels of sebum, which can create pores that are visibly larger, or that appear larger.
Many young adults struggle with acne, and though there are numerous factors that can determine whether or not you’ll experience breakouts, it all comes back to hormones and increased sebum production.
When you’re dealing with breakouts, you’re also likely to have enlarged pores.
Clogged Pores
The third reason your pores may appear larger than they are is because of clogged pores. When sebum combining with dirt and dead skin cells, it becomes sticky and can block the pore.
This doesn’t change the size of the pore but creates inflammation that makes it look bigger. If you have blackheads, there will be a darkplug or blemish in the pore which is visible.
Can I Minimize My Pores?
No, as of now it is not possible to change the size of your pores through genetics. However, there are ways you can make them appear smaller and help get rid of blemishes.
How Can I Reduce The Appearance of My Pores?
The pore-shrinking industry is booming, and there are tons of products on the market that claim to shrink your pores. But most of these products are ineffective (and a waste of money).
While you can’t change your genetics, you can make your pores appear smaller—so they don’t take center stage. Here are 7 tips and tricks that actually work to minimize the appearance of your pores:
1. Exfoliate
Exfoliation removes the layer of dead skin cells from the surface of your skin. Newer skin cells are created in the dermis, however they die as they travel up to the stratum corneum. If these dead skin cells aren’t sloughed away, it can lead to clogged pores and blemishes.
A natural exfoliating product helps get rid of useless dead skin cells and clear healthy new skin. Furthermore, it ensures that there is no chance for clogged pores or newly formed blemishes.
2. Wash Your Skin
Although cleansing your skin is key to keeping it healthy, too much of a good thing can actually backfire and lead to enlarged pores.
If you cleanse your skin more than twice a day, it can lead to dryness. When this happens, your sebaceous glands produce more sebum in an attempt to hydrate your skin. However, excess oil can actually clog your pores and make them appear larger.
If you want to cleanse your skin naturally, look for mild cleansers with natural ingredients. One great option is raw, coconut cream. Coconut cream will keep your skin clean and hydrated.
3. Topical Retinoids
Retinoids are similar to vitamin A in terms of chemical composition. If you have oily skin or your skin has lost elasticity, retinoids can help by stimulating the growth of collagen and elastin. This will make your pores look smaller and give your skin a firmer appearance.
4. Try Alpha Hydroxy Acids or Beta Hydroxy Acids
Exfoliating your skin is important to maintain a healthy complexion, and many products utilize AHAs and BHAs to encourage cell turnover. These ingredients work by dissolving the bonds between dead skin cells and the healthy cells on the surface of your skin, keeping your complexion looking refreshed.
Glycolic acid, the most typical alpha hydroxy acid, is conveniently available in over-the-counter items. Glycolic Acid can be artificial or natural; to make sure of its origins, check the label. When you clean your face with glycolic acid products, dead skin cells are sloughed away easily because this ingredient breaks surface bonds.
5. Moisturize and Hydrate Your Skin
Your skin produces less oil when it is hydrated, which causes your pores to appear smaller. The contrary occurs when your skin is too dry–less moisture leads to increased sebum production.
With oily skin, your pores not only appear larger, but they are also more visible. Fight the good fight by hydrating with an all-natural oil serum from 100% Pure instead of withholding moisture from your face. Our oil serum contains natural ingredients, which closely resembles the chemical structure of the skin’s natural sebum.
6. SPF Is Key
Sun damage weakens the collagen and elastin in your skin, making it look less firm and elastic. When your skin loses its elasticity, your pores appear larger.
To prevent sun damage, wear sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher every day to keep your skin looking healthy and strong.
7. Use A Setting Powder
Powder can give your skin a smooth finish and help minimize the appearance of pores. This loose powder is talc-free, translucent, and designed to create a beautiful finish.
A setting powder is perfect for those with oily skin, as it helps reduce shine and keeps your makeup in place all day long.
In Summary
Although you can’t physically shrink your pores, they can appear less visible. By using the right product and taking care of your skin, you will have clean and healthy pores that are nearly invisible.
100% Pure offers some of the clearest, greenest products on the market to give you the best results for your skin type.