How to Shrink Your Pores

As we age, loss of collagen causes our pores to expand. Enlarged pores can be unsightly, but experts claim it's impossible to actually shrink them! Fortunately, it's very possible to at least make your pores appear much smaller with these simple tricks.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Exfoliating face wash
• Antioxidant face cream
• Microdermabrasion kit

1. 
    

   Exfoliate
   
   Exfoliating face washes contain grainy particles such as grape seeds or juniper bark that scrub away dead skin cells. Many people believe exfoliating is for people with dry, flaky skin instead of the oily skin that tends to produce enlarged pores. However, exfoliating is actually an important daily task for those of us who wish our pores were smaller. Washing the face with an exfoliating product like St. Ives Apricot Scrub gets rid of the debris that clogs our pores. The less clogged your pores, the smaller they will appear. Exfoliate every day, or every other day if your skin is particularly sensitive. Exfoliating face washes can be found at any drugstore.

2. 
    

   Condition with Antioxidants
   
   Collagen, the material that keeps the skin surrounding our pores from sagging, breaks down over time. This unfortunate process is compounded by unpaired electrons called free radicals. Recently, scientists discovered that elements called antioxidants can stabilize these radicals and prevent them from attacking our skin. Antioxidants occur in nature, and are found in Vitamins C and E, as well as in certain enzymes. Today, many skin creams contain antioxidants. While creams containing the heaviest concentration of antioxidants are found at specialty or department stores, antioxidant treatments can also be purchased at your local drugstore. Antioxidant creams should be applied once a day for maximum results.

3. 
    

   Try Microdermabrasion
   
   Microdermabrasion is the process of using abrasive crystals to further exfoliate the skin and boost collagen production. Periodic microdermabrasion treatments are especially effective ways to treat enlarged pores. It used to be that microdermabrasion could only be performed by a licensed professional, but today, easy-to-use microdermabrasion kits are sold at most drugstores.

4. 
    

   Eat Right
   
   Nothing you slather on your skin will make as much of a difference in your pore size as what you put in your mouth. A healthy diet will have a positive impact on your complexion. Eating foods rich in antioxidants, such as blueberries and whole grains, will keep free radicals at bay, while consuming heavily processed foods and refined sugars will boost oil production and cause your pores to expand.

Tips & Warnings

• Discontinue the use of any skincare products if you notice resulting redness or irritation. If your skin is very sensitive, you should consult a dermatologist before starting a new skincare regimen.

[erinccooke]

on 1/22/2009 Great tips. You are exactly right on what we eat affects how our skin looks. I always find my skin looks much better if I drink the recommended amount of water each day.

[FrazzledNanny]

on 1/17/2009 I have this problem with my pores. I didn't know how bad until my sister turned her magnifying mirror on me. What an eye opener! Thanks fo the tips. 5*

[lizsto]

on 1/14/2009 Great tips and reminders. Thanks!

[Quickstar]

on 1/14/2009 The last one is so very true, what we put in is what we get out. Vegetables are very important and fruit, yes grains but more of the fruits and veggies high in Orac value is what you should be eating. 5*