Enlarged pores on the face: one problem, many reasons

We'll tell you what to do if you have this problem.

Enlarged pores—small holes in the skin that release oil and sweat—may seem like a teen problem, but they're actually one of the hidden signs of aging skin.

The bad news: You can't change the number of pores you have or their natural size, which is determined genetically and can get larger over the years. “Collagen, which strengthens pore walls to make them appear tighter, breaks down as we age,” explains Shari Marchbein, MD, a dermatologist in New York City.

Good news: There are solutions to reduce their appearance (and give you a more youthful-looking face), from quick-acting pore-enhancing treatments to in-office pore therapy.

Wash your face regularly (and thoroughly)

It's no surprise that minimizing pores starts with good skin care, and one of the easiest ways to minimize pores is to always cleanse them thoroughly. However, according to a GH study, 12% of women do not use facial cleansers regularly. “When dirt clogs pores, they expand and appear larger. So it's important to always cleanse your face with a gentle cleanser, especially before bed, to remove excess dirt and oil, explains Margarita Lolis, MD, a dermatologist in Hackensack, New Jersey.

“To cover all areas of the face, including the hairline and around the nose, where dirt can accumulate and clog pores, apply cleanser from the middle of the face up, then down the hairline and around the perimeter just below the chin,” says senior beauty lab chemist Good Housekeeping Institute Sabine Wiesemann. Using a facial cleansing brush has shown in GH Beauty Lab testing that it can help provide an even deeper clean.

In addition to daily cleansing, always use clean makeup brushes (clean them at least once a week) and never touch your face with your fingers. Your complexion (and your makeup brushes!) will thank you.

Facial sebum

Sebum is necessary to protect against external pollution: dust, dirt, microscopic particles. By covering the surface of the dermis with a film, it prevents excess moisture loss, protects against the destructive effects of sunlight, and prevents infection by microbes, viruses and fungi. Sebum is one of the types of barrier immunity.

On the one hand, this is very good, the skin is protected, moisturized, and does not seem to need additional care. On the other hand, hypersecretion of the sebaceous glands entails unpleasant consequences:

• an oily sheen appears;
• not receiving enough oxygen, dermatocytes age faster and die, and a healthy complexion is lost;
• lard becomes an attractive environment for the growth of bacteria, because it loses its bactericidal properties;
• under the influence of fatty acids, the dermis is irritated, which leads to coarsening of the outer layer;
• inflammatory reactions develop: acne, ulcers;
• the texture of the fabric becomes loose, the pores become greatly enlarged;
• elasticity is significantly reduced.

Therefore, you should not ignore even the slightest signs of sebum regulation disorder.

When the dilated excretory ducts are already very noticeable, the problem is much more difficult to solve. Sometimes it is even worth thinking about serious changes in life in order to achieve a satisfactory result.

Next, we will look at what household hazards you should start fighting against, and what good habits you should inculcate to help your skin function normally.

Exfoliate your skin twice a week

Unlike cleansing alone, exfoliation helps remove and cleanse dead skin cells that can clog or block pores. "Exfoliation can be achieved in several ways, both physical (such as facial scrubs or a cleansing brush) and chemical (products with gentle acids that promote cell regeneration)," says Joyce Imajierobo-Ip, MD, a Dedham dermatologist. , Massachusetts, and consultant for HydroPeptide.

Look for gentle cleansers that contain low concentrations of salicylic (0.5-1%), lactic or glycolic acid (2.5-5%), which will stimulate cell turnover and keep pores clear.” You can also try using a prescription topical retinoid, which can increase cell turnover, thereby exfoliating pores and making them appear smaller.

How to narrow pores - advice from a cosmetologist

For those who want to tighten pores and get rid of blackheads, experts advise following several rules:

• Avoid smoky, stuffy rooms. Walk more in the fresh air;
• visit the bathhouse, swimming pool or sauna weekly;
• reduce consumption of alcohol and cigarettes;
• get used to contrasting washes;
• regularly use cleansing cosmetics: tonic, scrub, foam;
• stay calm and less nervous.

Also, when applying makeup, cosmetologists advise choosing a “light” option - without heavy textures. And be sure to remove it in the evening. This way, the pores will not become clogged with sebum, sweat, and foundation residues.

Moisturize your skin twice a day every day

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You already know what can happen to your skin if you stop moisturizing it (dryness, flaking, irritation). Enlarged pores are another problem. "It's important to use a high-quality, non-comedogenic facial moisturizer twice daily," says Dr. Imajierobo-Ip. Regularity is key in this case, so you should apply the product morning and evening. "If you leave your skin without hydration, it will react by producing excessive oil, which can clog your pores," he says.

What are pores

Pores are ducts of the sebaceous glands. Their main task is to bring secretions to the surface of the skin, protecting it from external factors. If they become “clogged” with sebum or dust, they present a very unsightly sight. In addition, this is harmful to the health of the skin, because it literally stops breathing.

Most often, enlarged pores occur in girls and women with oily or combination skin. The wider the pores, the more sebum is released from the sebaceous glands. And this subsequently leads to the appearance of sebaceous plugs (comedones), which become noticeable and spoil the face.

Apply sunscreen every day

Daily use of a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher is an essential part of any skin care regimen for healthy skin and anti-aging, including preventing enlarged pores. “Ultraviolet radiation not only causes sun damage like wrinkles and dark spots, but it also breaks down collagen and elastin, causing pores to widen,” says Dr. Solis.

“The best way to prevent enlarged pores is to protect yourself from the sun.” Some sunscreens can make skin look shiny or oily by emphasizing pores, so choose an oil-free or lightweight gel formula with a matte finish.

How poor diet affects the skin

What our skin doesn’t like most is poor nutrition:

1. Harmful treats: fatty, spicy, salty, sweet and everything extremely attractive to the taste buds damages the digestive system, which gives us signals of malfunction by increasing the secretion of fat. When diseases of the gastrointestinal tract occur, problems appear on the skin: acne, comedones, milia, blackheads - faithful allies of enlarged pores;
2. Simply put, the visual neatness of the face is a reflection of the work of our intestines. If the excretory function is insufficient, excess toxins will be eliminated in other ways - through the pores, with sweat and sebum. Also, junk food slows down the absorption of nutrients, and a deficiency of vitamins and microelements will reveal itself as excess secretion and enlarged pores.
3. There is such a thing as food allergy. This is not a classic manifestation of a histamine response to an irritant, which is expressed by a rash, swelling, and anaphylaxis. Food allergies occur over a long period of time and are hidden, revealing themselves through minor signs. For example, after consuming the product, persistent inflammation of the sebaceous glands occurs, which is difficult to eliminate with external treatments. Chocolate, sweets with bright colors, and carbonated drinks like to give this reaction. It is enough to regularly treat yourself to these delicacies in order to notice a significant increase in potholes on your face. This response occurs not only to food, but also to medications: antibiotics, synthetic vitamins, lactobacilli.

A careful approach to your diet plays a huge role. We understand perfectly well how difficult it is to radically change your eating habits, but even a little work towards proper nutrition, regular fasting days, and abstaining from tasty junk foods can significantly help you solve the problem of enlarged pores.

Choose a mask that suits your skin type

They're not just a good way to relax, face masks can also tighten your pores over time. “Home treatments such as facials and peels work with consistent long-term use,” says Dr. Imajierobo-Ip. Incorporate once or twice a week into your beauty routine. If you have large pores and oily skin, masks containing ingredients like clay or charcoal will work best for you.

For other skin types, "multitasking" by applying these formulas to the T-zone (forehead, nose and chin), where pores tend to be most visible, is best.

The effect of hormones on facial skin

The functional characteristics of the sebaceous glands directly depend on hormonal levels. Sebum production is stimulated by the male sex hormone testosterone. It is present in the female body in small quantities. An excess of this androgen leads to excessive oily skin and, as a result, the formation of enlarged pores.

Female hormones in different phases of the menstrual cycle have contradictory effects on the intensity of sebum secretion.

So, in the first half of the uterine cycle, estrogen is actively produced, it reduces sebum production, normalizes all functions of the dermis, and for the last two phases, progesterone is predominant, which causes swelling of the excretory ducts and increases fat secretion. With normal hormonal metabolism, problems with pores and acne during the premenstrual and menstrual periods are temporary in nature, and therefore can be eliminated without unnecessary hassle with the help of proper care.

When humoral regulation is disrupted, dermatological defects worsen and the basis is laid for the appearance of enlarged pores.

Causes of hormonal imbalance in women

• adolescence;
• seasonal restructuring of organ function (spring, autumn);
• pregnancy, postpartum period, breastfeeding, cessation of lactation;
• incorrectly selected oral contraceptives, as well as the consequences of their cancellation;
• endocrinological diseases: thyroid dysfunction, diabetes mellitus;
• gynecological diseases: ovarian dysfunction, chronic inflammation, infections of the reproductive system;
• menopause

As the list shows, some of these causes resolve themselves over time, while others require careful examination and treatment.

Normalizing hormonal metabolism is an extremely difficult long-term task.

Basic methods of struggle

Unfortunately, there is no way to get rid of very large pores on the skin of the face once and for all. But some methods help make them smaller. The main ways to combat enlarged pores include the following:

• facial cleansing;
• exfoliation;
• masks;
• anti-aging products;
• microdermabrasion.

Facial cleansing

You need to start the fight against enlarged pores by cleansing your facial skin. To do this, you need to apply a small amount of cleanser to it and gently foam it. Then you should wash with warm running water. It is very important that the cleanser is suitable for the skin. Otherwise, the problem will only get worse.

If the issue is very acute, it is recommended to resort to deeper cleansing. To do this, wipe your face with a cotton swab dipped in cleanser. Next, you should steam your face, use a scrub, and then wash your face. At the end of the procedure, you need to apply a soothing or moisturizing cream to your facial skin. The manipulation must be carried out twice or thrice a week.

Facial peeling

If a person is bothered by enlarged pores on the face, then peeling is a good way to get rid of this defect. This procedure involves the use of various lotions and scrubs containing fine granules that help eliminate dead cells. Peeling is useful because it helps cleanse pores and improve blood circulation. But this procedure should not be done too often. Otherwise, there is a risk of increased secretion of the sebaceous glands.

For peeling, you can use a product containing glycolic and salicylic acid.

These acids have a gentle effect on the skin. If the porosity is too pronounced, then it is recommended to use trichloroacetic or retinolic acid for peeling. The product, which contains such components, helps cleanse pores and even out the relief of the skin.

Method number 2: clay masks

Looking for an answer to the question of how to reduce pores on the face , many are faced with a standard recommendation - to use clay masks more often.

Masks made from green, white and blue clay are especially useful, the latter being considered universal and suitable for people with different skin types. It heals inflammation, eliminates peeling, removes pigmentation, making the skin matte and smooth. Green clay masks are more suitable for oily skin, they cleanse and get rid of acne. White clay removes fat, has an anti-inflammatory effect, whitens and tightens pores.

Sequencing:

1. Mix the clay with a small amount of olive oil, honey and lemon juice.
2. Steam the skin well.
3. Apply the mixture in a thick layer so that the mask does not dry out in the first 5 minutes
4. Wait about half an hour. You cannot walk with a clay mask, as it is heavy and will pull the skin down. It's better to lie down and rest.
5. Rinse off any residue with cool water.

To close the pores, all you have to do is wipe your face with an ice cube, preferably a decoction of medicinal herbs.

Method number 3: soda

Baking soda powder has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, so it helps a lot. You need to take 2 tbsp. l. warm water and soda, mix and rub into the skin with gentle movements for at least a minute. After this, you need to rinse your face with cool water, washing away exfoliated cells, dust and dirt.

Method number 4: egg white

Knowing how to narrow the pores on your nose with the help of protein, you can quickly get your skin in order before an important event and not worry that this feature can spoil the overall impression. For this it is enough:

1. Beat the whites well.
2. Mix it with freshly squeezed lemon juice.
3. Apply several layers to your face and lie down. A horizontal position is necessary, as the mixture will strongly tighten the skin when drying.
4. As soon as the mixture dries, remove any remaining residue and wash well with cool water.

To consolidate the effect, it is important not to forget to wipe your face with ice.

Method number 5: gelatin

Not knowing how to tighten pores with home remedies, many girls make mistakes. For example, in the case of a gelatin mask, it is very important to remove it in a timely manner. If you do not do this in time, you will simply have to tear it off your face, injuring the skin.

Sequencing:

1. Pour warm milk over gelatin and leave to swell for 30 minutes.
2. Grind the activated carbon tablet into powder and add to the mixture.
3. Mix and apply the mixture to problem areas.
4. Wait until the mask sets and dries a little. At the same time, it must remain sufficiently elastic.
5. Remove the resulting film from the face. If everything was done correctly, it should come off immediately and completely.

This mask works on the principle of commercial cleansing strips. Clean open pores now need to be rubbed with ice to make them shrink.

Method number 6: lemon

A lemon compress has a good effect. So, how to close pores on your face with lemon:

1. Squeeze juice from citrus.
2. Combine a quarter glass of juice with 100 ml of warm water.
3. Soak a cloth in the solution and apply to problem areas.
4. Keep for about a quarter of an hour.

Lemon juice is known to everyone for its anti-inflammatory and whitening properties. But in addition, it also lightens blackheads and tightens pores.

Method number 7: apple with horseradish

This mixture perfectly improves blood microcirculation, nourishes, cleanses and tightens pores. To prepare the mask, you need to take one small apple, a piece of horseradish and a protein. So, how to tighten enlarged pores with these ingredients:

1. Grind the apple and horseradish in a convenient way.
2. In a separate container, beat the egg whites until foamy.
3. Mix all ingredients.
4. Apply the mixture to your face.
5. Leave for 15 minutes, then rinse with a decoction of medicinal herbs.

People with sensitive skin should be careful with this mask, as horseradish sometimes causes a negative reaction in the form of burning and itching.

Method number 8: aloe

This plant should be in every home, as it is used everywhere in folk cosmetology and medicine. For facial care, you can use both juice and pulp from the leaves. It is recommended to regularly wipe a clean face with freshly squeezed juice, and periodically make compresses and masks from the pulp. Aloe wonderfully moisturizes the skin, nourishes and tightens pores.

Method number 9: parsley

Another plant that is very beneficial for beauty and health. Here's how to tighten the pores on your cheeks with this aromatic green:

1. Take a small bunch of leaves and grind them into a paste.
2. Combine with yogurt or kefir to make a paste.
3. Apply a thick layer to your cheeks and leave for a third of an hour.
4. Wash off with chamomile infusion.

Masks and compresses based on parsley whiten well, cleanse pores of dirt, narrow them and, in addition, remove accumulated toxins.

Method number 10: tomato

Natural acids and potassium contained in tomatoes trigger the process of narrowing pores. To do this, just grind one fruit into a paste and apply the mixture to your face. Leave on skin for at least 15 minutes, then rinse.

Cosmetology procedures

If traditional methods turn out to be ineffective, then it’s time to turn to modern methods.

Face polishing in a salon using a special device with microcrystals will help narrow the pores after cleansing. One or two procedures are not enough; you need to complete a course - at least 4-5 sessions. But the result will be noticeable: the skin will even out, become smooth, dull complexion will disappear, and the pores will decrease in size.

Looking for an answer to the question of how to shrink the pores on the face forever, many girls find a recommendation to use a laser. Beauty salons offer modern technologies using lasers that stimulate the growth of collagen fibers and make the skin denser. As a result, the pores narrow so much that they become almost invisible even with minimal makeup. During the procedure, the surface of the skin is polished with a laser beam, removing the top layer of the epidermis. It is prescribed as a course, usually in 10–12 sessions.

Knowing how to effectively tighten pores, you can improve the condition of your skin and not be upset when you see your reflection in the mirror. However, you need to understand that it is impossible to narrow pores forever and completely get rid of such a “flaw.” Therefore, it is recommended to take a simpler approach to this problem and not make a tragedy out of it.

Salon treatments

Treating enlarged pores on the face with home remedies often does not bring the expected results. You can get rid of enlarged pores using various procedures that are offered in beauty salons. These include:

1. Microdermabrasion, which is an intensive form of exfoliation of dead skin. After it, it becomes elastic and elastic.
2. Mesotherapy is very effective, which improves overall skin tone. During this procedure, intradermal injections of a special complex of drugs are made, which is selected individually for each patient.
3. Fractional thermolysis, which consists of exposure to laser beams of different spectrums. They evaporate the upper layer of the epidermis and penetrate into the deeper layers of the dermis, causing the pores to narrow.
4. Cryotherapy, during which the epidermis is exposed to liquid nitrogen. Under the influence of cold, sebum production decreases and pores become smaller.

Fractional thermolysis

The best in cosmetology

Many fans of cosmetics believe that it is better to treat enlarged pores using store-bought creams, gels and lotions. And even in this niche, their own leading brands have already formed.

Vichy Normaderm. It copes well with the problem of narrowing pores, evens out and smoothes, and also removes blemishes on oily skin, eliminating greasy shine. Cosmetologists recommend a night remedy for Vichy.

Faberlic Young. A soft and delicate cream, with a light texture and pleasant aroma, thoroughly cleanses clogged pores, tightening them and returning them to a healthy state. Ideal for use at a young age when the first teenage skin problems appear.

Bioderma Sebium. Fights dryness and flaking, prevents the appearance of acne and comedones. Due to the concentrated composition, it forms a thin film that protects from exposure to ultraviolet radiation, dirty air and climatic conditions.

Thus, if you are worried about a porous face and you still can’t decide which care method to choose, try combining home recipes with the help of a cosmetologist and pharmacy or store offers. After all, only comprehensive care can give maximum benefit in the form of narrowed and clean pores on your face.

Where do enlarged pores come from? TOP 12 reasons

Why do we actually need to narrow our pores? The answer is obvious, so that blackheads do not appear. Although, as many cosmetologists say, their occurrence is the norm, from an aesthetic point of view it still does not look very good.

In fact, any skin is not immune to the appearance of blackheads. But oily and combination skin suffers the most. They mainly accumulate in the T-zone, but if the process of sebaceous secretion is accelerated, then they also accumulate on the cheeks.

And they acquire a black color not due to dirt and dust entering the pores, but due to the oxidation of the amino acid tyrosine in the sebaceous secretion and the formation of melanin. If no action is taken, the pores will continue to stretch and expand, and narrowing them will become much more difficult.

The main reasons for the active appearance of open comedones and wide pores are:

• adolescence;
• pregnancy;
• menopause period;
• hormonal imbalance;
• genetic predisposition;
• poor nutrition;
• gastrointestinal diseases;
• bad habits;
• chronic stress;
• hot and humid climate;
• improper care;
• cosmetics containing talc, silicone and mineral oils.