LAST UPDATED: JAN 18, 2023 / By Nura / OilySkin
“The size of your pores determined by gene factor and can fluctuate as you age, as well as what your skin type is.”
Pores are a part of the skin. We all have them and they’re not going away any time soon. Everyone has pores, but they can be more pronounced in some people than others. Smaller pores typically have less oil build-up and appear less large on your skin. People who have oily skin often have larger pores because their oil glands produce more sebum to moisturize their skin. Aging factor can make skin loses it elasticity and make skin became stretch and sag thus making pores appear larger.
Dust, bacteria, oil, and dead cells can clog skin pores and make your skin look dull. Extra exposure to UV ray especially during mid-day also can make pores appear larger due to loss of collagen and water from skin. Here are some steps you can take to clear up those pores and keep them from getting worse.
What are Pores?
There are two types of pores, one act as a passage for the oil to get out from the skin, called sebum. And another type of pores acts as a passage for the sweat to pass through the skin. Our pores come in different sizes, which is a result of a variety of factors, including aging and genetics. When the dead skin cell clog deep inside pores, it will create a dark shadow, we called it ‘blackhead’. If the clog is towards the tip of the pores, we called it ‘whitehead’.
Have you heard the myth about opening and closing the pores? Pores is not like a door where you can open or close it, but with the application of some heat you can increase their size slightly where it will dilate and expand. At this time, the heat can help soften the plugs of oil trapped within sebaceous gland. And the opposite will happen if you apply some cold water, where it will make the pore size a little bit constrict, and the appearance will be smaller and tighter. Both effects are temporary, though.
Meanwhile ‘enlarged pores’ is a depression at the surface of the skin that contain one or more openings to the ducts due to carrying oil build-up or clogged, and sweat from the skin glands. If neglected, it can lead to breakouts or acne problems. Enlarged pores will make skin looks rough and inflamed. The main cause of enlarged pores:
- Excess sebum production– it will make skin becomes greasy and trigger inflammatory acne.
- Decrease of skin firmness around the pores– skin becomes less supple.
- Clog pores– normally because of noncomedogenic products.
- Sun damage– excessive exposure towards UVA and UVB rays especially during mid-day.
This article discussed on how to reduce the appearance of pores using latest skincare treatment available on the market.
How do I Clear My Pores?
No one wants to have clogged pores, but many of us are on the hunt for what it takes to clear them up. Clearing your pores will help you maintain a healthy skin condition and look your best. The key to fix enlarged pores consist of 3 factors; get a balanced skin microbiome, unblock the pores, and third factor is to reduce excessive sebum production; where all these factors will help unify and build a smooth skin texture.
10 ways to minimize appearance of large pores
1. Making the switch to water-based alternatives
If you experience oily skin and large pores, making use of water-based and non-comedogenic products over oil-based products can benefit your skin in a manner that it stays clear of excess oils from seeping into the pores and clogging it, consequently, making them appear larger.
2. A consistent skin routine
Essential skin care includes washing the face:
a) Exfoliation– helps unclog the skin pores. Once or twice a week is needed to eliminate clogging substances, such as dead skin cells. Exfoliate no more than twice a week to avoid drying out the skin. Exfoliation helps keep pores clear, but excessive drying of the face can make pores appear more prominent. There are 2 types of exfoliants:
+ Physical Exfoliators: it has tiny scrubbing particles and usually labelled as face scrubs. It helps to get rid, off all the dead skin cells of the surface of your skin.
+ Chemical Exfoliators: Got 2 type, AHA and BHAs:
#AHA – derived from natural ingredients such as glycolic acid, lactic acid, malic acid, citric acid and tartaric acid. Its properties are water soluble and can helps reduce wrinkles and fine lines, brighten complexion and even the skin tone.
#BHA – We called it Salicylic Acid. It works more deeply inside your skin (9 layers) compared to AHA. Its property is oil soluble so its suitable for oily skin. A very good healer to treat red skin and rosacea.
Frequency of exfoliation will depend on type of skin, where oily skin can do it up to 3 times weekly, and once weekly is enough for sensitive skin user.
b) Cleansing. Use warm water. It can soften the plug (called comedonal core) of oil trapped within. With the help of heat present, it can dilate the pore opening, and makes the blockage substance, easier to push from the pores.
Washing the face twice a day or more if you sweat a lot or engage in strenuous physical activity. Washing one’s face twice a day removes oil and other impurities from the pores, which may lessen their glare. Use cleanser with a gel base. To prevent skin irritation, stay away from cleaners with oil or alcohol as the primary ingredients. Using a hydrating cleanser may cause your skin to become oilier. Clearing oil from the pores with a gel-based cleaner reduces their appearance.
c) Toning. Toner can help reduce excess sebum and also control sebum production.
d) Moisturizing. Moisturize every day to get a balanced hydration.
3. Clay Mask. Applying a clay face mask for night time routine. If you’re looking to get rid of excess sebum from your pores, try using a clay mask with kaolin inside, once or twice a week. Clay help absorbs sebum. Henceforth, getting rid of that oil might help reduce the size of pores and make them appear less noticeable. You should avoid doing this on the same day as exfoliating, as this might irritate the skin. Irritation can result in larger pores and blemishes.
4. Use sunscreen to protect your skin especially during mid-day. When exposed to the sun, it is imperative to protect one’s skin, and sun exposure dries out the skin and makes the pores appear more prominent (sag and stretch around the edges). Applying a sunscreen of at least 30 SPF is beneficial, and Moisturizers may also contain sunscreen. SPF 50 will be suitable for those that live near equator climate. Protecting the skin from the sun maintains its elasticity. The best way to achieve this effect is to apply sunscreen every day and wear a wide-brimmed hat when the sun is strongest, and a sunglass to prevent wrinkle near your eye.
5. Use a noncomedogenic product.
6. Use a Retinoid – OTC Retinol (type of vitamin A) or Rx-retinoid (Tretinoin, Retin-A Micro) can help stimulate collagen production and strengthen the wall of skin pores.
7. Nicotinamide, Glycolic Acid, Vitamin C and AHA– can be used to treat enlarged pores. AHA helps boosting collagen and exfoliates dead skin.
Salicylic Acid– help unclog skin pores. It can prevent acne formation, blocking the blackhead formation, balancing sebum production and renew skin layer by removing all the dead skin cell.
8. Combination of sulfur, charcoal powder (help draw out excess sebum), vitamin E and pumpkin enzymes can be use to minimize pore appearance.
9. Azelaic Acid – keeping pores from getting clogged.
10. Green Tea – Fight free radicals that can cause cellular damage.
Nose Pores – Causes and Treatments
Most people don’t like looking at their nose pores. They can be unsightly and embarrassing if there are full of blackheads and other blemishes. Sometimes, there are only pores without the blackheads, but its kind off look big right? Yeah, this because sebaceous gland underneath of nose pores is naturally larger than other parts of your skin. And the stuff that were store inside it called sebaceous filament which mostly made of dead skin cells and sebum. When you squeeze it, piece of yellow gunk will come out. If you have oily skin, it will become more noticeable. Nothing you can do to remove your pore but you can only minimize its appearance only.
Okay, please proceed to below section to read more about nose pore. Here, we will proceed to nose pore treatment, Pore Strips.
5 best pore strips for your facial treatment at home
Livaclean Pore Strips ($16)
Ingredients: Charcoal can be use to absorb excess oil.
Biore Original Deep Cleansing Pore Strip ($9.99)
Ingredients: Biore replace the usual ‘adhesive’ with water activated cationic bonds. Also have alternative version infuse with Blue Agave and Witch Hazel.
Pacifica Cosmic Vanish pore strips ($14.72)
Non-comedogenic.
Ingredients: Hemp seed oil, Tea tree oil (anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory features), Witch Hazel Extract (calm redness, regulate sebum production).
HydroPeptide Bambusa Blackhead Banisher Nose Mask ($22)
Ingredients: Charcoal, Volcanic Ash (antibacterial features), Bamboo extract (antioxidant), Aloevera, Sacred lotus flower, Allantoin (hydration and irritation prevention).
Peace Out Pore Treatment Strips ($19)
Ingredients: Vitamin A (refines and minimize pores appearance), DMAE (minimize pore appearance).
Precaution: Do not use pore strips if you have sensitive skin and use only once a week. Alcohol or other astringents can irritate this type of skin.
Skin Concern Related to Enlarged Pores
Related skin concern that needs to be resolve first, before treating enlarged pores concern.
+ Oily Skin and Acne
Oily skin is a common problem and it can easily lead to enlargement of pores. The main cause of oily skin is the accumulation of sebum, the protective natural oil that moisturizes the body and keeps it from getting dry. Excessive sebum inside your pore can trap unwanted dirt and debris which leads to inflammation and the formation of acne; and at the same time make your skin pore appear larger.
+ Blackhead
Plugs within the pores composed of sebum, cellular debris and bacteria congest the gland and expand the pore. Contact with air allows oxygenation to take place, turning the plugs black, further heightening visibility. T- Zone describes the forehead, nose and chin area of the face. These are areas that usually produce more oils and is also the most vulnerable to blackhead.
+ Skin Barrier Concern
Aging skin means your skin have lost its firmness and it start to become saggy. Your skin pores will look enlarged at this stage. The best treatment to fix this is by using collagen treatment. A lot of active ingredients can help fix this kind of concern, such as alpha-MAGs or vitamin C where it will help boost collagen production.
Pore Minimizer
When your skin pore filled up with oil and cellular dirt, it will “stretch” the pores opening. This will make your pores looks large. The Pore Minimizer product will not change the pore size physically, but it can help make the pores appear smaller. How it will do this? By exfoliating the upper layer of the skin, cleansing the skin pores from the dead skin cell and oil. And then it will help stimulate the build-up of collagen surround pores so the wall of pores will be pushed internally by the build-up and make it appear small. The result will make skin surface looks brighter, even and smoother. Your skin also will feel soft.
4 of the Best Pore Minimizer Brands in 2021
Jan Marini Skin Zyme Face Mask ($70)
Rediscover your new skin radiance with the help of Papaya Enzyme (Proteolytic Enzyme) in this Mask. It helps loosen and dissolve dead cell without irritating your skin, and refine complexion from dull to radiant. Can be use for both AM and PM skin routine, apply it on your face and massage with dampen hands dip in warm water. Suitable for all type of skin.
ZO Skin Health Exfoliation Accelerator ($70)
Help exfoliate and remove dead skin cell from your skin with 10% glycolic and lactic acid complex. Glycolic acid has the ability to boost collagen around wall of your skin pore, can make it appearance look smaller. Please use sunscreen after using this product and limit sun exposure since AHAs might increase your skin’s sensitivity towards sunlight.
Drunk Elephant TLC Sukari Babyfacial ($80)
Come with 25% AHA and 2% BHA blend of Glycolic, Tartaric, Lactic, Citric and Salicylic Acids, this formula help minimize pore appearance by fixing all fine lines and wrinkles in aging skin. Other featured ingredients consist of Chickpea Flour, Pumpkin Ferment, Matcha Tea, Milk thistle and Apple were used to bring brightening and smooths complexion to your skin.
SkinMedica Age Defense Retinol Complex 1.0 ($93)
Made with a combination of Retinol and phytoshield complex to enhance skin texture and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Retinol help balance sebum production and clear cumulation of dead skin cells thus making the appearance of pores looks smaller. Continuous usage is needed to get an effective result. Not suitable for pregnant and lactating women.
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Pore Refining Serum ($44.99)
Effaclar Serum is a skincare treatment for oily, acne-prone skin. Its formula contains the patented Acne Control Complex, a unique combination of ingredients that helps to control and reduce acne. It is designed to fight breakouts by regulating excess sebum production and purging impurities from the pores. Salicylic acid works by breaking down skin cells that line the pores, unclogging pores and purging impurities from them. It also provides mild exfoliation properties to help slough off dead skin cells and fasten skin renewal process. AHA-Glycolic Complex (7.5%) + LHA (0.5%) works together as exfoliating agent that breaks down the “glue” between dead skin cells on top of the surface of your skin, minimize wrinkles and make your complexion appears more refined.
Alternatives for Pore Treatment
When you have an exceptionally busy schedule everyday, you might want to subscribe any weekly pores treatment near your area such as chemical peel, microdermabrasion.
a) Chemical Peel
- Chemical Peel use higher concentration of exfoliating acids (TCA, lactic acid, salicylic acid). It is customizable because treatment will depend on your skin goals, downtime (the more intense the treatment, the more downtime needed) and skin type. It’s price not cheap though (range will be from $250 to $600)
b) Microdermabrasion
- Dermatologist Microdermabrasion Treatment can reach deeper level of your skin, compared to manual exfoliation on your own. Normally it will be between two to eight weeks interval. If you are using retinol or prescription retinoids, let your doctor know first as these two need to be discontinued for one week prior to treatment.
c) Hydrafacial
- Hydrafacial is quite same like microdermabrasion (cleansing and non-invasive exfoliation and extraction) but it have additional step where it also infuses your skin with serum consisting of antioxidants and peptides (incredibly hydrating step) and way more gentler than classic microdermabrasion technique. Benefits include refreshing skin, smoother skin, and radiance complexion. It will took only 30 minutes to complete and it also require zero recovery time. Hydrafacial have results that can last for 7 days. Targeted skin concern include: dry skin, uneven skin tone, fine lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, blackheads, enlarged and clogged pores. The cost of doing this treatment normally will range anywhere from $151 to $299.
d) Pore Vacuum
- Pore vacuum will suck out all your sebaceuous filament, blackhead, white goo from your pores. Its advisable to freshen and soften your skin first before applying this vacuum on your face to extract out all the junk. Some steam or warm water can help smoothen the extraction process. Start out at the lowest level and vacuum from spot to spot. Please remind if you experience any uncomfortable, stop using the tool for few weeks and in the mean time, treat your skin barrier so your skin will be ready for next session.
Consequently, there are a plethora of options for reducing the size of enlarged pores.
Bonus Chapter: Weekly Facial Spa Treatment in California
California is home to some of the best facial spas in the world? From Manhattan to Beverly Hills, there are plenty of spas located in this state that offer amazing facial treatments. If you’re looking for a relaxing and therapeutic spa treatment, then head on over to one of these locations.
+ KUR Skin Lab, Third Avenue NYC
If you’re looking for an ultimate customization in smart blend skin peeling solutions in New York City, look no further than KUR Skin Lab, one of the best skin care OASIS in Midtown East, New York City. From Custom Light Meso-peel to cutting-edge PCA Oxy Peel options, this spa have the perfect spot for you. Come and indulge yourself in the latest skin care technology for unsurpassed results that will leave you coming back again and again.
+ Luxury Spa NY, 26th Street, Suite 400a, NYC
Are you looking for an affordable and effective way to remove unwanted skin imperfections? Microdermabrasion is the right solution for your skin concern. This treatment is effective on all skin types and skin tones, and offers a great alternative to chemical peels for anyone with sensitive skin or who’s pregnant and wants to avoid harsh ingredients. Schedule a consultation with Luxury Spa now and receive up to 25% off the purchase of your first treatment.
+ Trifecta Med Spa 57, NYC
If you are looking for a deep exfoliation that cleans your pores, removing debris and allowing for better penetration of face serums tailored to your skin type, TRIFECTA MED SPA is offering state of the art hydrafacial service in New York City. Hydrafacial is a three-in-one treatment that cleanses, extracts, and hydrates your skin in just 45 minutes to one hour and no downtime is needed. Revive your skin with Trifecta Med Spa today![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
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