Everyone covets flawless skin—free from wrinkles, acne, large pores, and any other kind of bumps. It’s normal; we’re living in a generation that filters and edits photos before posting images in public. Many people repulse oily skin and large pores, but people with this skin may rejoice about having them.
Pores Are Inherited
The fact is, we’re supposed to have pores. The n wsize of the pores is genetic, so for instance, if your family tree has oily skin, you’ll most likely get larger pores just as oily skin is prone to, which is not bad at all.
Having oily skin and hence, larger pores works to your advantage. The oil in your skin is your natural barrier to wrinkling and aging. This is why most Asian people, having larger pores, manifest fewer aging signs.
Since the size of your pores largely depends on your family tree, you can’t shrink them, but you can make them look smaller with the right skincare products and facial habits.
Pores Enlarge Due to Sun and Age
As we age, our collagen, the one responsible for skin elasticity and hydration. When the collagen wears down, our skin eventually loses its elastic capabilities, so the pores, wrinkles, and sagging become more visible.
Spending more time under the sun can increase the wearing rate of collagen than that of normal aging. The ultraviolet radiation rays ultimately damage the skin’s elastin and collagen.
Bad Habits that Cause Larger Pores
Aside from genetics, normal aging, or sun damage, you may have certain habits that can enlarge your pores. The big culprit for enlarged pores is smoking. The skin dries and blood vessels shrink when you inhale nicotine. Hence, restricting the body from absorbing important nutrients and speeding up the rate of aging.
Frequently using blotting paper, pore-blocking, and exfoliating products can enlarge your pores too. While oil-blotting papers can help you rid of extra sweat and oil during summer, using them too often will ultimately lead your skin to produce more oil and sweat, clogging and enlarging the pores in effect.
Products containing pore-blocking ingredients such as coconut oil and cocoa butter may keep your face moisturized, but they retain dirt inside the pores instead, causing acne breakouts. This can lead to pimples that can stretch the pores out.
If you’re fond of exfoliating products, and so, use them every day, you’re just damaging your skin. Exfoliation should be done only up to two times every week. This should already remove the dead skin cells, excess oils, and dirt that block the pores. Too much, and it can dry the skin, open, and enlarge the pores.
Also, do you like to pop your pimples, whiteheads, and blackheads? It can feel satisfying, but it’s the easiest way for bacteria to get into your skin; hence, worsening the situation. The irritation will spread and make the scars and pores larger.
Allowing your skin to dry can flatten and make the pores look enlarged too. It can make you look older. It’s the same thing when you skimp on using sun protection, which can remove elastin, collagen, and hydration from your skin, shrinking the tissue, stretching the pores, and making you look saggy.
Lastly, your favorite foods and beverages may turn out to be very harmful to your skin. These are alcohol, dairy products, and foods that are fried, spicy, or high in refined sugar, which can trigger inflammation and acne breakout. Acne is the biggest culprit for enlarging your pores.
How to Make Large Pores Look Smaller
Avoid the habits above and swap them with healthier ones. Follow these tips to minimize your pores:
Wash your face in the morning and night
The AAD recommends that you wash your face twice, every morning and night, to cleanse the dirt and oil from the pores, making them look less visible.
Exfoliate the right way
As mentioned, exfoliating your face should just be done once or twice a week. Exfoliation is important since it gets rid of excess oil, dirt, and dead skin cells.
Moisturize every day
It can sound counterintuitive but choose oil-free moisturizers as they’re the most effective at minimizing the look of enlarged pores. Wash the skin first, pat it dry, and then gently apply the moisturizer to soften and hydrate the skin.
Remove your makeup every night
Not removing your makeup before sleep can block the pores due to bacteria, oil, and makeup build. If you should be in a hurry, use cleansing wipes.
Make Your Skin Look Healthier
Be sure to use water-based products, free from alcohol and even oil, from cleansers to make up. To promote healthier-looking skin, drink lots of water, exercise regularly, and eat well.