One of the biggest complaints teens have when it comes to their facial skin is large pores. The good thing is that you can minimize the appearance of the pores using various techniques. If you are ready to learn more, keep reading as we talk about why we need pores, discuss what clogged pores are, and the top tips for minimizing your pores.

 

Why We Need Pores

Everyone has pores on their skin. Pores are needed because they let your skin breathe, and are the corridor from the inside to the outside of the body.

 

Why Do Pores Look Huge

The reason your pores look huge is that they are clogged. They can become clogged with dirt, oil, and dead skin cells.  If your pores are open and clogged, a blackhead will form. If they are closed and clogged, they are known as whiteheads.

 

Shrinking Those Pores

There are several techniques that you can use to make your pores appear smaller. This will not happen immediately, but if you find a regimen that works for you, your pores can shrink in size.

 

Daily Cleanse

If you want to shrink your pores, you must wash your face daily. Before washing, you should steam your face by either using a warm wet washcloth held over your face, taking a shower, or placing your head over a bowl or sink full of hot water with a towel draped over your head for 5 minutes.

Once your pores have been opened up, use a face wash made for your face type. Rinse off all the residue with warm water.

You will want to cleanse your face a minimum of once per day. You can also do it a second time. If you prefer to only cleanse your face once a day, do it in the evening.

 

Scrub It Up

Using a face scrub in your skin care regimen has many advantages. It is best to scrub the face only once a week. You should find a gentle exfoliator with a smaller grain. If you use one that is too rough, you risk irritation, which can lead to swelling that causes your pores to appear even larger. Aveeno Positively Radiant will not break the bank.

 

Use SPF

Dermatologist Tsippora Shainhouse says you should always remember to wear sunscreen as the UV rays and pollution allow free radicals to break down the collagen in your skin. Thus, your pores will look larger.

If your sunscreen makes your face look shiny, you should look for a primer that has sunscreen in it. Shiny skin can make pores look even larger, so this allows you to still be protected while reducing pore size. Maybelline Fit Me Matte and Poreless Mattifying Face Primer is a low-cost product that has SPF 20.

 

Retinoid Cream

A retinoid cream can aid in boosting skin cell turnover. It does not matter if you purchase this over the counter or have a prescription from a doctor. These are great for your pores because you will see distinctly smaller-looking pores in just a few weeks. Consider trying  Glossier, CeraVe, and Inkey List for affordable creams.

 

Don’t Touch Your Face

It can be tempting at times to touch your face. But you should refrain from doing so, as the bacteria on your fingers can settle into your pores. It is best to limit the amount of time you spend touching your face. And you should never pick at it. Picking at your face can be enticing, but eventually, you could possess angrier blemishes that start to bleed, scabbing, and even scarring.

 

Clay Mask

Clay masks shrink pores because they work fast to detox your pores by absorbing the oil. Dr. Schultz says oil build-up may cause the pores to appear up to five times bigger. Therefore, removing the debris on the face is vital. Both Inkey List’s Kaolin Clay Mask and  La Roche-Posay’s Effaclar Clay Mask are reasonably priced masks for those that like utilizing spa-like options.

 

Glycolic Acid Products

Glycolic acid is a favorite ingredient of Dr. Schultz because “it works the best at dissolving dead cells and absorbing oil.”  (1) It is made with sugar cane and is one of the most commonly used AHAs in skin care. It can also hydrate the skin, help with sun-damaged skin, brightens the skin, and helps to eliminate acne. Consider trying The Ordinary or The Inkey Glycolic acid toner.

 

Lactic Acid Products

Lactic acid is Dr. Schultz’s runner-up as it is the weaker sister to glycolic but still can be equally powerful. (2)It is a very gentle AHA, and is suitable for dry skin. Good lactic acid products include CeraVe and The Ordinary.

 

References

(1)  https://www.verywellhealth.com/glycolic-acid-15774

(2) https://www.cerave.com/ingredients-in-cerave/lactic-acid