If when you look in the mirror you zero in on the size of your pores, honey, you are not alone. It can sometimes feel like they are the size of craters. We’ve seriously all been there - flash back to that Mean Girls scene, anyone?

We’re going to let you in on a little secret so come closer. Are you ready? You can’t actually change the size of your pores. For those of you who are a little mind blown, that’s not to say that all is lost. There are a few ways you can reduce the appearance of enlarged pores. and we’re going to take you through them.

What Causes Large Pores?

In a nutshell, pores are tiny openings in the skin linked to the ducts containing sweat and oil and are the vessels through which these toxins leave the body. They also release sebum which is the natural moisturiser our bodies create to keep our skin supple. See, they’re not all bad!

Like most things in the body, the size of your pores is down to good old genetics, although there are a few other factors that lead to enlarged pores.

Oily Skin

If your skin is on the oily end of the spectrum (it’s a constant struggle, hey), you’re more likely to have larger pores thanks to more oil and sebum leaving them. This leads to congestion which is one of the biggest culprits for enlarged pores.

Makeup can also contribute to this oily build-up and clogging of pores. You know what we’re going to say, right? Wash your makeup off before going to bed unless you want pores that look larger than Kanye West’s ego.

You’ll likely notice larger pores on your nose due to large sebaceous glands underneath the skin in this area.

Ageing

While there are some amazing things about ageing (like no one saying you can’t have cheese for dinner), enlarged pores ain’t one of them. Our pores are elastic, so when we lose skin elasticity thanks to a drop in collagen, they can appear larger.

Plus, there is a little something called desquamation, which is just a fancy word for the skin’s natural peeling process. This also slows down as we age, leading to a build-up of dead skin which sets up camp on your skin for longer, clogging your pores and giving them no option other than to make room for its guests (who knew pores were so hospitable?).

Sun Exposure

Just another reason to limit sun exposure for the sake of your gorgeous skin! Overexposure can thicken your skin, reduce your collagen and water production, and shrink tissue underneath the skin, all of which lead to, you guessed it, bigger pores.

Damage caused by the sun reduces your water, collagen and elastin levels, all vital contributors to keeping your pores looking small. 

Now let us just take the time to reiterate, you can’t actually change the size of your pores so if you’re looking for a miracle, sorry to break it to you, but we do have the next best thing; some techniques that will make them appear smaller!

Treatment for Large Pores on Face

Like we mentioned, clogged pores make them appear larger which is a big ‘no thanks’. The longer pores stay clogged, the higher the chance they will stay stretched out and make the problem worse, so you’re going to want to get friendly with a decongesting skincare routine.

Start with a gentle cleanser. As it happens, we know the perfect one! Try The Uncomplicated Cleanser plus Charcoal. It’s gentle yet draws out impurities from deep below the skin, making it ideal for congestion.

Exfoliation is about to change your enlarged-pore life. Our Gentle-Foliants have physical exfoliating properties to remove dead skin and chemical exfoliant properties to dissolve debris.

Incorporating one of our Encapsulated Retinol products into your routine will dramatically help to minimise the appearance of large pores, as they boost collagen production and regulate oil. Our retinol products are encapsulated, which means they can penetrate deep into the skin before all of those killer benefits are released. Just start really gently and slowly work your way up to a more concentrated product.

For the finishing touch, adding a couple drops of the Hyaluronic Hydrating Serum will keep your skin plump and gorgeous. “Keeping skin hydrated can play a role in reducing the appearance of enlarged pores,” says Dr Winnie Uchendu.

And as always, keep sun exposure at a minimum thanks to the Skin Shield Natural Sunscreen.

 

The best treatment for enlarged pores can be super individual, so if you have any other questions on how to minimise the appearance of your pores, chat to one of our skin experts today!