Repeat after me, “You cannot shrink pores.” Despite what
some beauty products may claim, the size of skin pores is genetically
determined and there’s no way make them physically smaller. But, thankfully,
you can minimize their appearance with a good cleaning regimen.
Don’t be a pore hater, because these openings in your skin
actually help you maintain natural moisture balance, flush out toxins and
regulate your body temperature. Every sebaceous gland, hair follicle and sweat
gland ends in the pore opening. The most
likely culprits to disturb your fantasy world of skin perfection are sebaceous
glands that secrete sebum, an oily, waxy substance that lubricates and waterproofs
your skin. These oil glands are naturally larger on and around your nose and
make your pores appear more visible.
Pores do not open and close – they have no muscle structure.
So, you can’t physically shrink them, and as you get older the elasticity of
skin is lost which causes pores to look even bigger. So, how can you create the
illusion of smooth skin? The key is keeping pores clean.
That first step to clearing pores is a good routine that
you’ll stick with day in and day out. That doesn’t mean harsh cleansers and
constant face-washing. It does mean a daily regimen of washing away the day’s
dirt, oil and makeup each night before bed with a natural, chemical-free
cleanser. One with an olive oil base is best, since olive oil is
non-comedogenic (meaning it won’t clog pores). You’ll also want to cleanse
after heavy physical exertion (like outdoor activities or gym workouts) because
sweat will carry debris into pore openings. That’s it for cleaning – no need to
wash with cleanser in the morning, you’ll only need a splash of water to
freshen up.
Any facial cleaning should be followed with a moisturizer.
Read the labels to ensure you’re not slathering on chemicals. Again, a product
with only natural ingredients is best. Think about it. You’re going to allow
this lotion, cream or oil to soak into your skin, your body’s largest organ. Do
you really want a chemical concoction to absorb into your pores? No, I didn’t
think so.
Start your weekly to-do list with a good exfoliation to remove
pore-clogging dead cells. Find a natural scrub suitable for your skin type –
sugar based scrubs for normal to dry skin, salt based for normal to oily skin,
and skip any with man-made polyethylene micro-beads. Those little beads can get
trapped in skin pores and are environmental threats as well.
To further minimize the appearance of your pores, follow
your weekly exfoliation with an over-the-counter mask. You’ll want one that
peels away after drying (pulling out all that nasty stuff hiding deep within
your pores.) My preferred choices have proven sloughing ingredients like fruit
enzymes, alpha hydroxyl acids or retinol. Just be sure to follow up with a good
cleanser, then, moisturizer.
So, even though you can’t shrink pores, there’s much you can
do to help smooth out their appearance simply by keeping them clean.
