8 tips to help you shrink pores
Large visible pores on the nose and cheeks make you lose confidence in your appearance. Here are solutions compiled by experts to help you fix this.
Open pores can lead to the formation of sebaceous glands that secrete oil to lubricate and protect the skin. After a while, the oil turns into a clogging agent and causes the small pores in the skin to clog, leading to the appearance of acne, wrinkles, and several other skin conditions. Large pores are often caused by many reasons.
To help you understand the cause and treatment, Dr. Monica Kapoor, a famous esthetician in the UAE has shared details.
What causes large pores?
The most common reason for open pores is genetics. Genetically, the number of pores and the amount of oil they produce is determined. Therefore, if someone in the family has a hereditary cleft palate, the next generation will also have the same condition.
In addition to genetic factors, enlarged pores can also be caused by using too many skin care products. Excess sebum, products, and dead skin can clog pores, making them appear larger. Oily skin also contributes to increased pore size. Enlarged pores can also result from overexposure to the sun, which causes a loss of collagen in the skin. Collagen is an important component of the skin that enhances elasticity and hydration.
Things to do at night to prevent open pores
Always double cleaning:
Do not be lazy to remove makeup at night. Sleeping in makeup overnight is a skincare sin that can cause pores to become clogged with a build-up of makeup, oil, and bacteria.
To avoid that, switch to the habit of washing your face twice. As the name suggests, you need to clean your face twice for this process. When you do, use two products: an oil-based cleaner, then a water-based cleaner.
‘Choose a gel cleanser with salicylic acid, niacinamide, or green tea to reduce oil production. The product is suitable for people with oily skin who want to minimize pores. It’s best to avoid cleansers that contain oils or alcohol, as they can irritate the skin. Moisturizing cleansers can leave residue in pores and increase oil production. A gel cleanser that helps clear oil in pores’ says Dr. Kapoor.
‘Make friends’ with aloe:
Nothing shrinks your pores better than aloe vera. Every night, apply a thin layer of fresh aloe vera gel to your face. Massage the gel onto your face in gentle circular motions. Leave it on if you don’t want to apply any skin care products on top. Or else, wash it off after about 10 to 15 minutes. After rinsing, you will notice that your skin is fresh, and all oil and dirt from the pores will be removed without making the skin dry.
Choose oil-free products:
Choose oil- and water-free products including makeup products. These products contain more humectants than oils, which are great for oily skin. Dr. Kapoor suggests that oil-based products contain petroleum, coconut oil, and other oils. They effectively moisturize the skin but may not be suitable for those with oily skin and open pores.
Stay hydrated:
Using an oil-free moisturizer can help shrink pores. First, rinse and pat the skin dry, then gently apply moisturizer to help hydrate and soften the skin. It allows oil from the sebaceous glands to penetrate deeper into the skin, rather than remaining in pores on the surface. Moisturizing helps prevent pores from becoming clogged with oil, thereby reducing their appearance.
Keep your skin clean:
Wash your face twice a day. Use lukewarm water and gently apply the cleanser with clean fingers. Choose a gentle cleanser that is non-abrasive and alcohol-free. Avoid shaving or rubbing your skin, pat your face dry with a clean towel. This helps wash away the oil and dirt in the pores.
Exfoliate:
Dr. Kapoor says: ‘Exfoliate once or twice a week to remove substances that can clog pores. If you have oily skin, then you should exfoliate once or twice a week to remove substances that can clog pores such as dirt, dead skin cells, and excess oil. It is important not to exfoliate more than twice a week, as this can dry out the skin. Although exfoliation helps unclog pores, pores can look larger if the skin becomes too dry.
Clay Mask:
Apply a clay mask once or twice a week. It helps to remove additional oil from the pores. Clay absorbs sebum. Removing oil can help prevent enlarged pores and make them less visible. However, too much clay mask application can irritate the skin. Irritation can cause pores to open and can lead to breakouts.
Use Retinol:
Using retinol on the skin can control the amount of sebum secreted from the pores. Retinol or retinoids will also increase collagen production to help tighten pores.
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