Enlarged pores is a common skin concern affecting women of all ages. It is due to several factors. You can’t get rid of them but you can minimize their appearance with proper treatments.

Common causes

Excess sebum, dirt, hair follicle size, aging that causes loss of skin elasticity, sun damage, over-exfoliation, dehydration, use of comedogenic ingredients and genetics are the common causes for enlarged pores. They look like depressions in the skin’s surface.

Treatments for enlarged pores

There are different procedures to shrink them. First of all, be sure that your skin is not dehydrated. It may be the cause and increasing the moisture and the nourishment of your skin, the pores will be minimized.

Avoid every cosmetic, especially oil, that is comedogenic. Comedogenic is called a substance that has high probability of clogging the pores and lead to blackheads, whiteheads or breakouts. Ingredients are ranked from 0 to 5 point about their comedogenic action which means 0 is for non-comedogenic and 5 is for highly comedogenic. In skincare products even a highly comedogenic ingredient may not be so comedogenic if used in lower concentration. That being said, an oil may be comedogenic if it used at 100% but not as an ingredient in lower concentration in a skincare product.  However, if you suspect that a cosmetic that you apply, clogs your pores, discontinue the use to see if there is a difference in their appearance.

Cleanse your face once or twice a day, preferably with a gentle cleanser. Don’t wash you face with warm water that irritates the skin. Lukewarm water is the best solution.

Use a clay mask that helps remove oil, impurities and dead skin that clog the pores. Choose the clay mask for your skin type. Don’t purchase a clay mask for oily skin if your skin is not oily. You will dehydrate it and you will get more enlarged pores. Your skin will produce more oils to replace the lost ones which in turn, will make them more noticeable.

You may also use a pore minimizing toner. Check the ingredients list of the toner. It may contain hydroxy-acids that your skin can’t tolerate or are not for your skin type.

Salicylic acid can make pores appear smaller. As an oil-soluble substance can penetrate the skin pores and cleanse them. Although it is an option for oily or acne-prone skin, it can be used topically on other skin types. However, if your skin is dry or dehydrated, you should avoid it. Skin needs moisturizing and not a substance that will cause further dehydration.

https://www.christiannak.com/salicylic-acidbenefitshow-to-use-it-safely/

Retinoids could help as long as your skin can tolerate them.

Use a broad- spectrum sunscreen SPF 50+ every day to protect your skin from sun damage.

Last but not least,moisturize and nourish your skin as more as you can.

Otherwise, you may consult with a dermatologist who will suggest possible solutions to your problem.

In a nutshell, you shouldn’t expect miracles. You can’t get rid of enlarged pores but you can always minimize them. You always need to have realistic expectations.

Special thanks to pexels.com for the free photos download as well as to the creator of this specific photo.