Want to reduce pores magically? Whether you hate them or love them, unfortunately you are stuck with them as they are an essential part of our skin.
Why do we need them? They are a passage to the outside for our skin to allow the skin to breathe. But one thing that is possible, we can minimise the pore size and this will be explained below.
These tiny holes are just about everywhere, the skin from your face, arms, thighs, and everywhere on your body. The size in addition to the appearance of those pores relies on a few factors- genetics, skin type, contact with the sunlight, and age. It is a fact that the pore size you have is genetic, and it cannot be reduced but we can minimise.
Now you might be wondering if the pores are unable to magically shrink and have a genetically fixed size, then how on earth do they enlarge? Basically, the pores can be stretched forcefully by dirt, gunk, pollutants, sebum, and dead skin cells as they tend to get stuck inside. Sometimes, this gunk can also lead to the formation of blackheads, whiteheads, and even acne, Yikes! But if you clean them, they get relaxed thus less stretched, appear smaller, and there is less chance of getting any further skin conditions.
You can easily reduce pores to their original size by using a few easy tricks. Here are our 6 tips on how you can reduce your pores.
1. TONING
To reduce pores, the first thing that you can do is use a toner. For some, skincare isn't complete without the use of toner. This mystical water can do more than you think. Toners have a big hand in the appearance of your pores and skin. Gone are the days when it was thought of as a useless watery substance that doesn't do anything but shrink the pores. We are here to debunk that myth as well.
A toner is a water-infused liquid with skin-benefitting ingredients.
Toners have been in the skincare industry for a while, but their actual use was misunderstood. It is usually used as the second step of skincare and is applied using a cotton pad or a mist spray. It helps kick out any gunk that might be stubborn and unable to be cleared by a cleanser. Your skin will be able to breathe again and the skincare products that you will apply later will get absorbed efficiently, thus providing maximum results and flawless skin!
Try using our favourite Perfecting Toning Mist that helps protect your skin from dirt, is hydrating and free from alcohol!
2. CHEMICAL EXFOLIANTS
If you prefer exfoliation (usually two/three times a week) then the best option to reduce pore size to normal is the use of chemical exfoliants. These types of exfoliants contain different concentrations. Each one has a different molecular size which helps us to find the level to which it will penetrate the skin. The smaller the molecular size, the deeper the penetration, resulting in a more efficient cleaning of our pores. For example, glycolic acid contains a smaller molecule size, which means it can penetrate deeply and unplug the pores more efficiently (but it can be a bit harsh for people with sensitive skin, always patch test!). Within a few weeks, you will see a drastic change in the appearance of your pores and there will be fewer to no blackheads or whiteheads left.
3. AVOID OIL-BASED PRODUCTS
Using oil-based products is truly hydrating for the skin, but it won't help when it comes to reducing pore size. Instead, oil tends to fill in the pores and clog them up. Most of the oil-based products contain coconut oil, petrolatum, etc, which are comedogenic. Comedogenic products are those which have the tendency to clog the pores, which is why it is best that you look for products that are non-comedogenic like Vitamin E oil.
4. ANTI-AGING PRODUCTS
To reduce pore size you need to look into the factors that cause enlargement of the pores, age being one of them. With age, our skin changes drastically. It loses the essential protein called collagen and results in the sagging of the skin. When the skin around the pores becomes saggy they lose the ability to go back to the normal state and are left stretched, appearing less normal than they used to be. To avoid aging, we highly recommend that you should start using anti-aging products at minimum in your late 20s. This ensures that the skin won't go through the phase of premature aging and feel younger for longer. This will also help reduce pore appearance as the anti-aging formulas have skin tightening effects.
Retinol and Hyaluronic acid are some well-known products for anti-aging.
Try a serum like our Retinol Serum which is an encapsulated retinol, a version of retinol that envelops the ingredient in a protective, multi-layer liquid crystalline microsphere. When applied to the skin, its moisturising outer coating time releases the active Retinol, which penetrates deep into the skin to deliver superior results, while mitigating potential side effects.
Our lightweight Hyaluronic Acid serum contains Niacinamide (Vitamin B3 - 5%) and Panthenol (Provitamin B5 - 2%) that hydrates and brightens the skin. Arnica Montana Flower Extract has antioxidant properties and helps restore the skin. This serum is suitable for use on acne-prone skin and may also help to regulate sebum and minimise pores!
5. SUNSCREEN.... IS A MUST
Never go out without sunscreen. Its use is required to stop premature aging while preventing pores to become saggy. UV rays from the sun are responsible for the breakage of collagen and elastin in the skin. Both of these are well-known for their ability to keep the skin firm, tight, and youthful. UV rays are highly penetrable, making it easy for them to reach the dermis (middle layer of skin) and cause the skin to damage from within. Your pore size is highly dependent on skin elasticity or it can become saggy. Try using an SPF daily especially if you are going outside.
6. REMOVE MAKEUP BEFORE BED
This step is essential to reduce pores, but sometimes we are so tired that we don't even bother removing it, instead we go to sleep with it still on. This is the worst thing that you can do to your skin. Your face is literally begging to breathe all night long and repair from the day.
Our skin needs the rest just like we do, that is why 'beauty' sleep is essential. The skin goes through a repairing process when we are asleep, which means it is generating new collagen so that you can wake up with flawless-looking skin. Makeup doesn't let your skin properly rest and overnight and the gunk and buildup inside your pores can form blackheads and acne. Ewwww! To avoid this from happening and reduce pore size, it's best that you use a cleanser with oil or other active ingredients, and then use a toner or exfoliant before you go to bed. This will allow maximum cleaning and your pores will become relaxed!
Do leave feedback if you try these and get the results! We love sharing with our community and are dedicated to helping you with your skin concerns.