- One of the cheapest options for remedying the look of large pores is through proper skin cleansing habits. Large pores are especially susceptible to the buildup of dirt, dead skin cells and bacteria. Using a gentle daily cleanser made specifically for the face can help remove any excess dirt and oils that build up inside of and expand your pores. Choose products with natural botanicals and vitamins to give yourself an extra boost of nutrients to not only clean the skin, but keep it hydrated and healthy. For the best results, use the cleanser in the morning as well as directly before you go to bed.
- When looking for facial cleansers, search for ones that are high in skin-helping vitamins. As you age, the elasticity of your skin decreases along with your levels of elastin and collagen. As these numbers decrease, the pores begin to enlarge as the skin loses its natural firmness. To combat this, two ingredients to specifically look for in your skincare products are retinol and vitamin C. Retinol is a form of vitamin A. When introduced to the skin, the skin converts retinol into retinoic acid. Retinoic acid is then used by the skin to prevent the breakdown of elastin and collagen in the skin, which are both important components of keeping the skin healthy and young-looking. Vitamin C, often listed on skin care products as ascorbyl palmitate, works on large pores by boosting collagen synthesis. The healthier your skin's collagen levels, the less prominent your pores will become.
- Another way to remedy large pores is by removing the outer dead layers of skin cells. You can do this by using home exfoliating methods. Home exfoliants are lotions and cleansers that contain small sand-like granules to remove dead skin cells. As you massage the product onto your face, the exfoliating substances scrape the dead cells off the outer layer of your skin. These skin cells are then washed away as you rinse the product off your face. Removing dead skin cells helps unplug pores, allowing them to return to normal size. When exfoliating at home, it is important to do so gently. Rubbing exfoliating solutions on your face with too much pressure can damage the skin.
- If home exfoliation does not help reduce your large pores, you may want to try microdermabrasion. Microdermabrasion is done in spas and skincare clinics throughout the United States, and is often used to help treat those struggling with acne and other pore issues. The process is done by blasting small sand-like particles (such as aluminum oxide or sodium chloride) directly at the face. As the sand hits the skin, it removes any dead skin cells that are lingering on the outer layers of the face. At the same time as the skin is being blasted with particles, a vacuum (venturi suction) sucks up the used particles and dead skin from the face. Like home exfoliating techniques, this procedure removes the dead skin cells that may be blocking and causing large pores, and allows the pores to return to normal size. The process also activates the skin to produce new collagen and elastin, helping the face regain a younger and healthier look.
