Have you been noticing your pores appearing more prevalent recently? Maybe you’ve tried to ignore them, because you thought there was little that could be done. Well, guess what? There are some very practical steps you can take to see results. Be patient, persistent, and proactive as you do the following:
- Keep your pores clean. Dirt, dead skin cells, sebum, and makeup play a role in stretching your pores when they become lodged inside. A first step in keeping them clear of these materials is a cleanser specifically designed for clearing out pores. The cleanser should ideally be light and wash off easily with water. emmiSkin’s Facial Treatment Cleanser Chilean Rose Hip Seed Oil.
- Cleanse properly. Keeping a clean face isn’t just about rubbing some soap on and rinsing: Proper technique really makes a difference. A proper face-cleaning technique requires using tepid water, applying the cleanser in circles, and applying it to the neck as well as the face. This ensures a thorough cleaning that will not dry your face out, thus leading to more clogged pores.
- Another way of keeping your pores clear is sloughing dead skin cells off so they don’t end up getting lodged inside your pores. An egg white mask helps with this. It might sound surprising, but the protein in egg whites help nourish skin, while lifting oil from the pores and tightening skin.
- Wear sunscreen. Sun damage contributes to enlarging pores. But if you have super sensitive skin or don’t want to clog pores, finding a sunscreen to meet those needs can be tricky. Some qualities to look for include sunscreens made specifically for facial application, sunscreens for babies (who have sensitive skin), and a broad-spectrum sunscreen to ensure what you’re applying actually works to block harmful UVA and UVB rays. Additionally, if you’re out in the sun, make sure you’re reapplying it every two hours.
- Stay hydrated. Dehydration indirectly causes clogged pores and acne. If your skin is dry, it will flake and possibly form a layer of dead skin cells on top of your skin. In response, your skin will work overtime to produce oil to make up for the dryness. That combination of dead skin cells and excess oil leads to enlarged pores. Staying hydrated helps, and it requires being hydrated both inside and out. In other words, drink plenty of water, consider using a humidifier, and apply the right moisturizer after cleansing. Although it seems counterintuitive, even if your skin is dry, the moisturizer should not be too heavy. Using a heavy and oily moisturizer will just clog pores.
- Use retinol. Retin-A and retinol, Retin-A’s over-the-counter version, works to shrink the appearance of pores. Scientific experiments and dermatologists’ practical experiences have confirmed that Retin-A works “to remodel skin on the molecular level.” As a result of cellular remodeling, skin cells work like they used to: They produce collagen and regenerate faster, thereby shrinking pores and smoothing wrinkles. Retina-A requires a prescript, but retinol serums also work well to rejuvenate skin.
- Don’t abuse the blemish extractor. Blemish extractors are tools for squeezing bacterial matter out of pores and pimples. While they may seem like an answer to skin problems, they can possibly scar, leave infections, and stretch your pores out even further.
With just these few simple actions, you can shrink pores and help your skin to be healthier and more beautiful in no time.
