How to Close & Open Skin Pores

Skin pores can have a big effect on the appearance of your face.

The pores on the skin have a few functions. They secrete sebum to lubricate the skin all over the body. The pores also produce sweat as a way to cool the body. With some people, the pores are enlarged due to an overproduction of sebum. This oil hardens in the pores, enlarging them. To clean the pores, you need to open them and clean them out. But large pores are unattractive because they are so noticeable. Oily skin is more prone to large pores. While dry skin has smaller pores, it is also more susceptible to wrinkles and fine lines. Keeping the skin healthy and clean is the best way to reduce oily skin and keep pores to a smaller size.

Things You'll Need

• Facial mask
• Pot
• Ice cubes
• Towel

Instructions

Opening the Pores

1. Boil a pot of water on the stove.

2. Turn off heat.

3. Place towel on your head and lean over the pot for no more than 10 minutes. The steam opens the pores and drains them of excess oil and debris, reports the website Health Skin Portal.

Closing the Pores

1. Apply a commercial mask to the face. Leave it on for 10 to 20 minutes. This cleans the pore and makes them smaller.

2. Wash off the mask with cool water. Having cleaner pores makes them look smaller.

3. Rub an ice cube on your face, suggests the website Plazan Cosmetics. The coldness temporarily tightens the pores, which closes them.

References

• Healthy Skin Portal: Treatments for Large Pores
• Plazan Cosmetics: Skin Care Using Ice Cubes