Pores play an important role in your skin health, and they are there for a good reason - releasing the sebum or skin oils that help keep your skin happy and moisturized.
But, for the sake of beauty, many are looking into ways to make pores at least appear a little smaller.
While the size of your pores is largely genetic and cannot be actually adjusted, there are some things you can do to make sure they are clear, clean, and appear the smallest that they physically can.
Wash your face twice a day
While this may seem like basic skincare 101, it really does make a huge difference in overall skin appearance.
Without regular washing of your face, there will be a natural build-up of the oils produced every day mixing with dead skin cells and lodging themselves in your pores - clogging pores and making them appear larger.
Choose a gentle cleanser and wash for 30-60 seconds with warm (not hot) water before gently patting your face dry.
Always remove makeup before bed
Even if you are using the highest-quality non-comedogenic (non-pore-clogging) makeup, it will still be a net beauty negative if you leave products on overnight to make their way into (and clog up) your pores.
If you know you are going to have a long night where you will want a quick and easy cleansing, have an emergency pack of facial cleansing wipes next to your bed.
Use non-comedogenic products
Non-comedogenic is a beauty industry term for products that are less likely to clog your pores, and since a clogged pore will always look bigger than an unclogged pore - these are the products that you want.
Look closely on the packaging, and you will often find the term printed somewhere.
Products that are oil-based often tend to be pore-clogging as well, so find ones that say oil-free for the best shot at your smallest pores possible.
Wear sunscreen
When your skin is dried out by the sun, it will try to rehydrate itself by producing even more sebum than usual.
This means that you may have even larger pores post beach vacation than before if you don’t wear the proper sun-protection.
Aim for applying an at-least 30 SPF non-comedogenic sunscreen to your face every day (and maybe an even high SPF if it’s going to be a really sun-filled day).
Exfoliate regularly
Pores appear larger when they get clogged with a combination of oils, bacteria, and dead skin.
So, always make sure that you are limiting the amounts of extra dead skin cells around.
The American Academy of Dermatology recommends that you find a good exfoliation schedule for your skin, and to always apply a moisturizer afterward to help rehydrate.
In general, an exfoliation schedule of 1-2 times weekly will work for most people.
Hydrate
With making your pores appear as small as possible, it’s all about balance.
You want your skin to be hydrated and moisturized, but not super oily or dry and dehydrated.
The first steps to healthy skin hydration come from within, by making sure that you are drinking your recommended at least 8 cups of water per day.
And if you exercise or are out in the sun a lot, you need to up that number to maintain proper hydration.
Eat healthily
If your diet is a steady stream of greasy high-fat foods, it may be showing up on your face in terms of more sebum production.
And, since too much sebum production generally means larger and more clogged pores, you may want to adjust your current eating habits.
Find tasty fruit and vegetable replacements for your usual greasy favorites and your pores may thank you for it.
Reduce inflammation
When skin is inflamed it can make the surrounding pores swell open and appear larger.
And, since acne often comes along with an inflammatory element, you may have some luck making your pores look smaller by taking control of your breakouts.
Talk to a medical professional in person about treatment options for your acne to help keep your pores in check as well. Or, have a free online visit with U.S. licensed doctors at Strut Heath to see if a medicated acne formula is a good choice for you.
Use clay masks
Clay masks tend to work well as a wicking agent to help extract extra oils out of pores and make them appear smaller.
For some, these masks may make their skin feel drier, so if you have a problem with dry skin areas, you may want to spot treat with clay masks by only using them on your large pore problem areas.
Moisturize daily
Regular moisturizing is a must to help balance the hydration levels in your skin.
Dehydrated skin can make pores appear larger and make the skin appear more sagged.
As a plus, moisturizers can help pull extra skin oils into a deeper level of your skin and help keep them out of your pores.
As with all other skin products - try to find a moisturizer that is non-comedogenic for the best pore minimizing results.
Conclusion
Try out a combination of these tips based on what you think may be contributing to your larger-than-you-like pores. Everyone’s skin is a little bit different, so while one person’s pore problems may be stemming from not drinking enough water during the day, yours may be from skipping your nightly face washing. It may take some trial and error to figure out the best skin routine tips for you. But, step number one is looking into ways that you can make your skincare better, so you are on the right track!
Bio Text: Jill Barat, is a Doctor of Pharmacy at Strut Health (StrutYours.com) with a unique background in specialty pharmacy, innovative compounding products, supplements, and integrative medicine with a passion for helping patients live their best lives.
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