How to Shrink Enlarged Pores

It is common to find “how to minimise enlarged pores” in most people’s search history. Let’s make this plain, one can not eliminate pores wholly. It is not possible since pores are an imperative part of the body however they can be minimised substantially. In this blog, we will tell all about pores and how to diminish them. There are a handful of ways to unclog and tighten the pores. Let’s go ahead.

What are pores

Enlarged pores are small inlets all over the body having sebaceous glands beneath and hair follicles in them to carry oil, liquid, or particles. Their work is to carry sebum, a natural oil, from the sebaceous glands to the skin surface keeping it moisturised and hydrated.

Over time due to multifarious reasons, pores enlarge around the nose, forehead, and cheeks. Several underlying factors cause them to expand. Pores should work healthily but there are ways to make them less noticeable.

Types of pores

For a deeper understanding, enlarged pores are of two kinds:

• Sweat pores: These pores are responsible for emitting sweat. They are present all over the body but are not visible to the naked eye. Here, we are not concerned with the sweat pores.
  
  
• Oil pores: Oil pores carry sebaceous glands beneath them. They are entrusted with the duty of producing natural oil or sebum for the skin. These when get clogged with dirt and dead skin cells, enlarge now and again. When enlarged they are visible to the naked eye easily.

Causes of enlarged pores

There are a number of triggers for enlarged pores. Have a look at them to determine what is your cause of enlarged pores.

1. Age: As we age, our skin starts to loosen elasticity and collagen. As a result, pores widen. Collagen pushes and squeezes the pores to become smaller. They supply structural support to the skin.
   
   
2. Genetics: Genetic makeup plays an impactful role in inheriting larger pores. Yes, you heard it right, genetics also define the size of the pores. Also, ethnicity and race are responsible as well.
   
   
3. Gender: Physiologically, men have larger pores as compared to women. However, owing to menstruation, pregnancy, and puberty pores can enlarge on a woman’s face.
   
   
4. Oily skin: It is a well-known demerit of oily skin. Oily skin can also be inherited. The sebaceous gland is responsible for producing sebum and in people who have oily skin, it produces excessive sebum resulting in clogging the pores when it combines with dirt, dead skin cells, and other impurities. The pores get stretched.
   
   
5. Sun exposure: Overabundance of exposure to the sun causes the skin to be damaged. It makes the skin lose its elasticity and collagen making the pores visible.
   
   
   
   
   
6. Thick skin: People who have thick skin may have enlarged pores. The hair follicles that carry the sebum are wide which is why the pores appear large in size.
   
   
7. Bad skincare regime: Pores can be visible due to poor skincare routine. Not properly exfoliating and cleansing or having no skincare routine at all is one of the reasons. The dirt and other impurities along with makeup residue get stuck in the pores making it appear large.
   
   
8. Environmental influence: High toxin levels and humidity in the air may also cause clogging of the pores leading to enlargement.

Skincare routine to minimise the enlarged pores

A well-defined skincare ritual is necessary to prevent the pores from widening. We are dropping a step-by-step routine for you.

• Cleansing: Cleansing is usually the first step in any skincare routine. The cleanser removes the dirt and oil gently. It is advised to wash the face with warm water first. Take a non-comedogenic and most preferably a gel-based cleanser and massage it onto the skin for a minute followed by gently rinsing it off. Avoid any cleanser that has abrasive and scrubbing agents as they tend to rub off the natural oils of the skin. It is important to use cleansers twice a day, morning and night.
  
  We recommend DRSQ’s Cleanse & Hydrate which is suitable for all skin types. It is known to clear the skin of any impurities and calm it simultaneously leaving it hydrated. The non-comedogenic esters work on the skin heavenly and help in barrier repair.
  
  
• Exfoliation: When dirt, dead skin cells, and other impurities get stuck in the pores they cause it to expand. Exfoliation is an excellent method to gently remove these impurities. It should be done at least twice a week and can be gradually increased. Take a sufficient amount of the product and gently apply it on the skin, rubbing in a circular motion for 30 sec followed by tenderly rinsing it. For greater efficiency, look for an exfoliant enriched in AHA or BHA.
  
  We recommend Repair serum, which is a skin-clearing exfoliating serum with 5% Salicylic acid. It is made to target enlarged pores and has AHAs as well. It exfoliates the skin and proves deep hydration.
  
  
• Toning: They are utilised to minimise the size of the skin cells and also work to reduce the enlarged pores. Toner helps in getting rid of excess dirt or oil that remains in the pores even after cleansing. To use a toner, damp a cotton pad with the product and gently rub it all over the face. Do not scrub the skin. You can also switch to toner pads for an easy application.
  
  Avoid, toners with alcohol as one of their main ingredients.
  
  
• Moisturising: Moisturising is the most noteworthy step in any skincare routine. People with enlarged pores and oily skin have this certain belief that additional moisture will worsen their condition. But is a myth, that a good moisturiser will help the natural oil of the body to reach into the deeper layers of the skin. Look out for a lightweight and non-comedogenic moisturiser to hydrate the skin.
  
  
  
  
  We recommend Hydrafusion luxurious moisturiser with a lightweight formula and hyaluronic acid. It provides deeper hydration and heals impaired barrier function additionally providing cell protection and nutrition.
  
  
• Masking: A remarkable supplementary product to add to your skincare routine. Masks are a great way to remove any impurities once in a while. It should not be used regularly, especially as a part of the skincare routine but applying a clay mask once a week can bring significant change by eliminating contaminants.
  
  Clay mask works by sucking the unnecessary stuff and oil.
  
  
• Sunscreen: It is another vital product. Get a sunscreen that minimises the enlarged pores. Not wearing any skin protection can make the pores more visible. Also, wear it indoors and outdoors. It is recommended to reapply it every 2 hours and get sunscreen with more than 30 SPF.
  
  
• Chemical Peel: Chemical peels are known to work under the skin and tighten the pores. It removes the damaged outer layer of the skin. It is advised to use a chemical peel under the supervision of the dermatologist and not personally.

Changes in lifestyle that help in minimising the pores

You must have heard from the elders about changing your lifestyle when you encounter any issue in your life. Well, they are partly right. Bring little changes in your lifestyle to minimise the pores to an extent. Here’s what you can do:

1. Stay hydrated: Lack of hydration is the cause of many issues and staying hydrated solves most of them. As recommended by doctors, 2 litres of water should be consumed daily. It helps hydrate the skin from the inside and removes toxins too.
   
   
2. Massage: Massaging the facial skin is a great way to boost the blood circulation. It stimulates lymphatic drainage and removes the toxins. Facial massage can be really helpful in minimising the pores.
   
   
3. Steaming: It can assist in cleaning any debris from the pores. Steaming can soften the skin, heat the blood vessels, and open the pores. It is suitable for all skin types. Incorporate it into your life by steaming once a week for not more than 5-7 minutes. Excessive steaming can cause drying of the skin. People affected with Rosacea should also monitor their condition closely.
   
   
4. Stress coping: You must have heard people commenting that exam or life stress is taking a toll on their skin. Stress is the pivotal cause behind many issues. Coping with stress would solve half of the problems. Persisting stress can affect the skin negatively. Take time out for a walk, meditation, yoga, etc. As long as you manage the stress, fewer breakouts will take place.
   
   
5. Refrain from alcohol and smoking: Giving up alcohol and smoking can significantly minimise the size of the enlarged pores. These two habits are often linked to bad health and skin. They are the leading cause of various acne forms and enlarged pores.
   
   
6. Clear makeup before sleeping: Sleeping with a face full of makeup can harm the pores. The makeup gets combined with dirt and bacteria overnight which can cause the pores to appear larger. It is recommended to always clear your face of any debris or makeup before heading to bed. Makeup remover is a great method to remove the makeup followed by a mild cleanser quickly.
   
   
   
7. Wear sunscreen consistently: Sun exposure can increase the risk of drying the skin and causing the pores to appear larger. Wear sunscreen regularly to minimise this risk.
   
   
8. Add non-comedogenic products: Non-comedogenic products do not clog the pores as clogging of the pores leads to expansion. Always choose products, whether skin care, hair care, or makeup, that are non-comedogenic.
   
   
9. Exercise: Maintaining a healthy body is directly proportional to healthy skin. Regularly exercising can increase the blood flow and decrease the stress level.
   
   
10. Eat a balanced diet: Eating a diet that is full of grains, vegetables, fruits, and meat is necessary for healthy and glowing skin.

Ingredients to look for to minimise the pores

We have carved out a skincare routine to minimise the pores. Now, let’s delve into skincare product ingredients that you should look out for while incorporating a skincare routine.

• Salicylic acid: A form of BHA, salicylic acid works outstandingly to remove excess sebum, dirt, dead skin cells, and other contaminants from the skin. When it is removed and the pores clear out, the size of the pores shrinks. Add salicylic acid to your skincare products. Use salicylic acid in cleansers, toners, and masks, or opt for salicylic acid as a serum.
  
  
• Niacinamide: Niacinamide or Vitamin B3 is an efficient skincare ingredient to add. It is known to tighten the loose pores resulting in smaller pores. Niacinamide can be used as a serum directly or in a moisturiser.
  
  
• AHA: Alpha hydroxy acids such as lactic and glycolic are the most preferred skincare ingredients. AHA increases the production of skin cell turnover and minimises the size of the pores. It is a must-add ingredient.
  
  
• Retinoid and Retinaldehyde: Both of these ingredients have proven themselves as agents responsible for clearing out the pores, enhancing skin texture, and skin cell turnover. It is recommended to use them in smaller quantities and increase them as per the instructions of the dermatologist.
  
  
• Hyaluronic acid: Hyaluronic acid is the most popular skincare ingredient right now. It helps increase collagen generation and reduces the pore size as a result.

Conclusion

Enlarged pores are not friendly to look at and deal with. One needs to adopt a proper strategy to combat them. It is important to get to the root cause of the problem and then sculpt a target-based plan. Everyone's skin is distinctive and maintaining a healthy lifestyle along with taking appropriate steps has become a necessity to achieve the goal.

We would like to emphasise in the wrap-up that there are several causes of enlarged pores some of them are, aging, genetics, not wearing sunscreen, gender, etc. coupled with bad lifestyle habits like, not removing makeup at night, not using non-comedogenic products, consuming alcohol and cigarettes, not exercising at all increase the risk of enlarged pores. Keep in mind to follow the skincare routine and keep an eye on the improvements of the skin simultaneously.