Large pores can be quite upsetting. They make your skin look imperfect, dull and unsmooth. Though, pore size is genetic, it is possible to reduce their appearance. They may vary depending on the type of skin you have. Aging, sun damage, improper hygiene, use of bad/low quality products and cosmetics can make your pores bigger in size.
As your skin ages, it loses collagen that helps it to stay elastic, making support to oil glands difficult, thereby increasing your pore size. According to DermaDoctor, pores can become visible and seem larger due to inadequate skin care and issues such as blackheads, which can expand your pores. Genetic factors, environmental damage and aging also contribute to pore size.
Luckily, you don’t have to suffer for the rest of your life with large pores. The following remedies will help you fight the problem of enlarged pores and reduce pore size.
Cleansing to Reduce Pore Size
Cleansing
Cleansing skin is the first step in preventing enlarged pores, breakouts and irritation while maintaining the integrity of the skin’s structure. Always cleanse the skin first thing in the morning to remove dead skin cells and embedded oil. A bar soap, cleansing gel, or cleansing oil works to remove pore clogging residue, keeping the complexion clean and supple while minimizing the occurrence of enlarged pores.
Steaming
Steaming the facial skin is a wonderful way to open up the pores and remove the dirt and debris that is clogging them. For a do-it-at home steam session, place your head over a pot of hot water with a towel draped over the head and the shoulders. Be careful to avoid hot water burns. Steam the facial skin for 5-10 minutes. Follow with a light moisturizer.
Exfoliation to Reduce Pore Size
Exfoliating on a regular basis will definitely give the appearance of shrinking pores. If you are routinely getting the dead skin cells, which get clogged in your pores, off of your skin, your pores will avoid getting stretched out daily. Use a clean washcloth with your daily cleanser to help gently exfoliate your skin.
Microdermabrasion
Microdermabrasion will remove the outer layer of skin and, with the help of suction, help clear away the blackheads that cause the appearance of enlarged pores. This is one of the more expensive methods for decreasing the appearance of large pores and often involves making an appointment with a professional. Microdermabrasion has also been shown to improve collagen production and fight large pores from an anti-aging standpoint.
Consider Retinols
Retinols are derived from Vitamin A and are easily found in over-the-counter products. What’s great about Retinols is their ability to penetrate the skin’s layers. They can literally start transforming your skin before it even hits the surface. Retinols are typically found in anti-aging product lines and can cause some peeling and sensitive skin, so start with only using it every other or every third day until you see how your skin reacts.
Baking Soda Exfoliation for Large Pores
To close large pores, mix two tablespoon of baking soda to a cup of warm water. Apply this baking soda toner on nose, chin and forehead to remove dead skin cells and get clear and closed pores.
Salt and Buttermilk
Buttermilk has lactic acid, which is a skin exfoliant, and hence great for treating dead skin cells and grime that could be trapped inside large pores. Take buttermilk and add some salt to this. Mix to form a paste and rub on the affected area for a few minutes. Leave it on for fifteen minutes after this. Rinse off with water. This will help in keeping the skin free of dirt and excess oils.
Toning to Reduce Pore Size
Toning the skin after cleansing or exfoliating is an excellent way to close the pores and tighten the surrounding skin tissue, reducing the visibility of clogged and enlarged pores. A simple astringent or alcohol based toner used liberally after cleansing or exfoliating will help prevent enlarged pores. For a quick fix, you can also use cold water. This is a temporary solution, but if you have a special date or event and want tightened pores for a few hours, rinsing your face with very cold water will tighten the pores and make them less noticeable.
Citrus Toner
Take half of a lemon or lime and one small sized orange. Add 3/4th cup of rubbing alcohol to this. Blend in a mixer until it is pulverized. Strain and transfer to an airtight container. This toner can be used every day after cleansing your face and before application of makeup to minimize the pores.
Ice Cubes
Ice cubes are excellent for shrinking the pores and they are an instant remedy that can be used before you use your makeup. This will help in leaving the skin smooth looking and also prevent the makeup from entering the pores and cause problems like acne and infections.
Take an ice cube and after washing your face thoroughly, rub it all over your face and neck for a few minutes. Ice cubes will constrict the blood vessels and pores and will give an even looking and less porous skin before you apply makeup. This can be done every time after you wash and clean your face so that dirt and grime do not enter the large pores.
Tomato Toner
Tomato paste or juice can help cure large pores problem in a fast way. Tomato has excellent astringent qualities, which help eliminate extra oil and shrink the size of large skin pores. Place the paste or juice of tomato on your face for 20 minutes and wash off.
Other Home Remedies to Reduce Pore Size
Oatmeal Mask
Oatmeal (when used as a face mask) is an effective and natural way to fight the problem of huge pores. Since oatmeal is known to be hypoallergenic, it does not clog pores. Make a mask containing oatmeal, honey, apple cider vinegar to minimize pores, tighten skin and enhance your skin complexion.
Honey
Honey is famous for its medicinal, cosmetic and healing properties which makes it a favorite among most people. It can be used on the skin for natural toning and closing of the pores and also reducing the excessive oiliness of the skin which is among the main factors for open pores in the first place.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is another natural toner with astringent qualities that can be used for closing large pores. Apply a diluted solution of apple cider vinegar after cleansing your face and wiping it thoroughly. Allow it to air dry before applying makeup.
Egg White
Egg whites work as natural dryers of the skin and thus they greatly help in shrinking the pores and helping with the problem of open pores. They are excellent to lighten the skin and also help in unclogging the pores as they pull out the impurities from the pores.
Fuller’s Earth
Take two tablespoons of fuller’s earth and mix it with one tablespoon of honey and milk. Combine all these ingredients properly. Apply it all over your face. Wash off after 15-20 minutes with cold water. This will nourish your skin, and lessen the open pores.
Tea Tree Oil to Shrink Pores
Tea tree oil is a powerful home remedy to fight oily skin, acne and shrink the large and open pores. To unclog pores, mix 3-4 drops of tea tree oil in one cup of water. Pour the lotion in a clean spray bottle. Spray this versatile toner over your face twice a day. Clean your face of any impurity or make up before applying the toner. You can also use cotton to apply this natural toner to shrink large pores.
Sandalwood
Take one tablespoon each of sandalwood and turmeric powder and add a few drops of almond oil to it. Make a paste of all three ingredients and apply gently over your face and around the neck. Leave it for 20 minutes and wash your face with cold water. It will revitalize your skin and minimize the occurrence of open pores to a great extent.
Papaya Mask
To tighten the big pores, you can try papaya face mask. It will help shrink the facial skin pores. Make a smooth paste of raw papaya and gently scrub your skin in circular motions. Let it sit on your face for 20 minutes. Wash it off with lukewarm water.
Rose Water- Cucumber Juice
Mix a few drops of rose water in cucumber juice and dab it on your face, and rinse after 15-20 minutes. This will lessen your open pores. Moreover, silica in cucumber improves the skin texture and gives you a fair complexion.
Almond Meal
Applying almond meal to your skin helps refine pores and diminishes their appearance. Make your own almond meal by pulsing 1/3 cup almonds in a blender until you achieve a powdered consistency, or purchase almond meal at well-stocked supermarkets and natural health stores. Combine two parts almond meal to one part water to create a thick paste, and spread gently over enlarged pores in an even layer. Leave the mixture on for 30 minutes, rinse with tepid water and pat your skin dry. Repeat the treatment two to three times a week for the best results.
Sugar and Olive Oil Scrub
Take 2 tablespoon of sugar; add 1 tablespoon of olive oil and a few drops of lemon juice. Mix all the ingredients and gently rub on your face for 20 to 30 seconds. Clean it with cool water. For better results, use this remedy once in a week.
Clay Mask
Clay masks tend to strip the skin of oil and water, temporarily making your pores shrink. Look for clay masks that contain bentonite and kaolin clay.
- Clay masks can over-dry your face if you use them too often. In conjunction with other facial beauty products, use clay masks once, or at most twice, a week to keep your skin from drying out and reversing the good trend. Only let the mask dry to a tacky consistency, not until it is hard. Letting the mask dry completely can dry out your skin.
- Experiment with clay masks that work in concert with your skin’s tolerance. Some clay masks are better suited for sensitive skin, while other masks are better suited for oily skin. Talk to a beautician if you’re unsure of which clay mask to buy.
WARNING: Don’t Pick!
When your pores are clogged, there is nothing harder to fight off than the desire to pick and poke and prod. Just don’t! When you are pulling and squeezing your skin, you can cause trauma to your pores which can leave them permanently enlarged. Plus, you’re adding dirt and oil from your hands to the mix which can cause breakouts and infection. Let the products work for you.
