Are you self conscious about the size of your pores? Do you wish your pores were smaller? Read this week’s blog post to learn some tricks to reduce their appearance and keep your pores clean and healthy!

Having large pores is a common skin care complaint we hear among men and women, young and old, from all around the globe. We all want tighter looking, glowing skin that makes us look years younger.

It is important for us to understand that people with large pores are born with it, like how people are born with brown, blue or green eyes.

Large pores become more noticeable at certain stages of one’s life. Usually, large pores appear during the teen period. Others exhibit large pores when they reach adulthood. It is ultimately genetics that play the biggest role.

However, there are other factors that affect the skin and make the pores appear larger.  These factors can be solved or addressed with human intervention.  Meaning, there are ways and means available to make large pores appear smaller, prevent them from becoming larger, and at the same time, keep the skin healthier and stronger.

What are Pores?

Pores are small openings in the skin wherein sweat and oil reach the surface from the glands beneath. These pores play an important role in keeping the whole skin system working and protecting the entire body.

The Two Types of Pores:

1. Oil Pores

These types of pores are those that are connected to the oil glands.  They can be found on the entire surface of the skin except on the palms and the soles of the feet.  It is the Oil Pores that are visible. These are the large or small pores that can be seen on your skin.

The Oil Pores allow sebum, our body’s natural oil, to travel from the Sebaceous / Oil Glands to the surface of our skin to lubricate it and keep the skin hydrated.

2. Sweat Pores

These types of pores are really tiny and can hardly be seen by the naked eye.  We also have them on the entire surface of our skin including the palms and soles of our feet. The Sweat Pores allow sweat to travel from the Sweat Glands to the surface of the skin.  Sweating is what makes our body remain cool.  It regulates our body’s temperature.

Sweat helps balance the water in the body. It moisturizes and hydrates the skin and is a source of dermcidin, an antimicrobial peptide which helps fight infections.  However, when sweat stays on the skin for a long time, it clogs the pores and leads to an enlarged skin pore.

Most of the pores we have on our face are Oil Pores.  The Oil Pores open the hair follicles.  Thus, you can notice small hairs sticking out of them.  The hair follicles become the pathway for the oil to travel from the Sebaceous Glands to the surface of the skin to lubricate it.  That is how our skin becomes hydrated.

As much as we want tight and closed pores, it cannot happen.  The pores play a very special role in how our whole skin system works.  They must remain open because that is how they can function properly to protect the skin and our whole body.

What Causes Large Facial Pores

Aside from genes, research has shown that there are clinical causes for large facial pores. These are the following:

1. High secretion of sebum.  Secretion of too much oil in the skin clogs the pores.  When the pores are clogged, they become larger. Thus, people with oily skin or those that have clogged pores are most likely to have enlarged pores and pores that appear more visible.

2. Elasticity around the pores  decreases, especially when people age.  Aging leads to sagging of the skin due to lost or decreased elasticity and suppleness of the skin.

3. Increased volume of hair follicles. There are hairs that grow larger than other facial hairs, thus the pore opening becomes larger. Hair follicles in the pores also become clogged with oil and other external components like dirt, dead skin cells and make up. When the skin remains blocked with all these particles, the growth of pimples occur.

Pimples may seem to be common, simple skin problems but pimples affect the skin seriously and sometimes may produce long - term harmful effects to the skin.  Read more about Acne culprits and ways to keep the skin clear of blackheads in our blogs.

• Sex hormones, It was discovered that pore size increased during a woman’s ovulation phase. During this period, the pores of women appear to become larger, but go back to its normal pore size after the phase.
• Chronic Acne. Acne is found to be correlated with a higher number of facial pores.
• Age. Aging results in the reduction of collagen in the skin and its elasticity.
• Gender.  Males tend to have a high correlation with facial pore development.
• Improper skin care treatment.  Failing to take care of your skin and providing it with the nourishment it needs result in various kinds of skin infections and impurities. Among the skin problems that arise, enlarged pores are primarily due to clogging.

Unlike genetics, these factors mentioned can now be controlled with various medical, physical and at-home treatments that are made available.  There are solutions and remedies that can address these causes, and minimize the appearance of large pores on the face.

TREATMENTS TO REDUCE THE APPEARANCE OF LARGE PORES

There are physical treatments available that specifically target the sebaceous glands and help enlarged pores, like laser treatments and skin needling.  Botox as superficial fillers is also widely used.

A wide variety of skin care products have also been developed throughout the years for cosmetic use and at-home treatments. Experts and leading dermatologists agree that there are a lot of simple measures we can do on our own to minimize the appearance of large pores without having to resort to surgery and other physical treatments.

1. Use of Non-Comedogenic or Oil Free Skin Care Products / Makeup

Non-Comedogenic and Oil Free are those products that do not clog pores and can be used safely and regularly.  By using these kinds of products,  you don’t have  to worry about your pores being stuffed with harmful elements later.  Make it a habit to look for products that say “Non-Comedogenic”, “Oil Free” or “Won’t Clog Pores”.

2. Gentle Cleansing

Cleansing is one of the most important steps in nourishing your skin. It entails the removal of makeup, dirt, bacteria, dead and excess skin cells, excess oils and all the impurities that are trapped in your skin.  Also, avoid scrubbing and use gentle cleansers that do not harm the skin like our Yeouth Vitamin C Facial Cleanser, it does not only cleanse but protects and nourishes the skin in the process. All of the facts and myths about cleansing can be found in a previous blog. 

3. Retinol Use

Retinol is a form of Vitamin A that has numerous anti-aging effects.  It promotes skin renewal and collagen production to help minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It improves uneven skin tone, visibly increases skin firmness and clears acne, among its many other wondrous effects. Learn more about Retinol in our blog and find out why it's the new golden ingredient.

4. Acne Treatment

Treating acne results in effectively unclogging the pores. Unclogged pores are the key to minimizing the appearance of large pores.  For non-chronic and non-serious acne problems, this set of professionally-curated products from Yeouth are infused with potent ingredients that specially targets acne and blemishes to give you a clearer and glowing complexion. It contains Salicylic Acid, an ingredient proven to unclog and clean pores and help clear acne.  

For chronic and more serious acne problems, consulting a dermatologist is best.

5. Exfoliate to Get Rid of Dead Skin Cells

Dead skin cells accumulate in the pores causing clogged and enlarged pores. Regular exfoliation, without a doubt, helps to unclog the pores.  It may be done once or twice a week. Try our  Yeouth Glycolic Acid Gel Peel formulated with Glycolic Acid, Retinol, and Green Tea. These ingredients fortify the skin and promote clarity while gently exfoliating.

This peel will also help to minimize the appearance of pores, blackheads and acne. 

Glycolic Acid Face Peel 30% ( $24.95 )

6. Moisturize Regularly

Moisturizing is a must because it helps keep the skin hydrated. It provides significant anti aging effects by retaining moisture in the skin so that it is smooth and protected.  Today, most moisturizers are oil-free and are not harmful for oily skin.

Choose moisturizers that protect the skin and are blended with natural ingredients like our Yeouth Day/Night Cream formulated with Snail Extract to help repair various skin damages. This cream also contains Hyaluronic Acid to hydrate and replenish moisture levels, Green Tea to protect and Peptides to help strengthen, add firmness and improve skin elasticity.

7. Apply Clay / Mud Mask

Using a Mask once or twice a week helps reduce excess sebum in the skin that clogs the pores.  Our YEOUTH’s Dead Sea Mud Mask detoxifies the complexion by drawing out toxins and impurities trapped deep in the skin’s pores.  Dead Sea Mud is known to be rich in a variety of minerals known to purge toxins and dirt clogged in pores to improve skin health.  It also contains Hyaluronic Acid that provides the skin with much-needed hydration. It helps the skin retain moisture so that it appears more plump, smooth and supple. Discover all the benefits of using a Mud Mask by reading this blog.

8. Use Sunscreen

UV exposure damages the skin’s collagen including the collagen that surrounds the pores, making it less supple. This leads to enlargement of the pores.   Using sunscreen that is ideal for your skin type everyday is an absolute must to preserve your skin and keep it healthy.

Summary 

The pores play a very important role so that the skin can function properly in protecting the body.  It is true that having beautiful and flawless skin boosts confidences and makes a difference on how we approach the world. Skin that is healthy, clean and functioning properly is the true secret to beauty.

Let us embrace our pores, no matter what size they are, because they are part of our body.Thanks to all the years of research and experts out there, they have found ways to treat our flaws while keeping it real.  Just always remember that cleanliness is the key! Choose your products wisely and keep it clean.

This Dead Sea Mud Mask loosens dirt to decongest clogged pores so that your skin will glow. The result is a clean, fresh and blemish-free complexion!  It is combined with nourishing vitamins and minerals like Hyaluronic Acid, Aloe, Oatmeal and Avocado oil to moisturize, soothe and balance the skin.

DEAD SEA MUD MASK WITH HYALURONIC ACID, ALOE, OATMEAL AND AVOCADO OIL ($18.95)

DO YOU HAVE LARGE PORES?  EMBRACE THEM BECAUSE THERE ARE COUNTLESS AND EASY WAYS TO MAKE YOUR PORES APPEAR SMALLER!  DO YOU HAVE YOUR OWN PERSONAL TREATMENT FOR LARGE PORES?  SHARE IT WITH US.  LET’S TALK IN THE COMMENTS BELOW.