Minimize the appearance of pores ...

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.