Dealing with enlarged pores can be a common concern, affecting the skin’s texture and appearance. The accumulation of pollutants and grime in these enlarged pores can lead to additional issues like blackheads and acne, making it essential to address them. While genetics and oily skin are often considered culprits, resorting to costly skincare products may not always be the solution. Instead, exploring simple yet effective home remedies can offer a natural way to minimize open pores. Before delving into these remedies, it’s crucial to comprehend the nature of pores and the factors that contribute to their enlargement. Let’s embark on this journey to achieve smoother, clearer skin.
What are Skin Pores?
Being the body’s largest organ, our skin contains millions of invisible pores from the face to the legs. These tiny holes on a person’s skin are the home of hair follicles and sebaceous glands (produce ‘sebum‘ or the body’s natural oil). They allow our skin to breathe by releasing oils, sweat, and other microscopic materials through them. Apart from this, pores cool off and detoxify our body, thus keeping the skin clean and healthy.
Pores are present in all types of skin. Whether you have dry, oily, sensitive. combination, or even normal skin, it has pores all over it.
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What are Open Skin Pores?
While it’s important to note that pores cannot be physically ‘closed’ as they are natural openings of hair follicles, individuals may find some pores more noticeable, particularly on the forehead, nose, cheeks, and chin. Larger pores can sometimes become clogged with oil, dead cells, dirt, and grime, contributing to a dull and less attractive appearance. Many individuals express concerns about their skin’s look due to these factors. Although it’s impossible to permanently close or reduce the size of pores, adopting a thorough cleansing routine can make them appear less prominent. By effectively removing excess oil and debris through deep cleansing, pores may give the illusion of being minimized or closed, contributing to a smoother skin appearance.
What Causes Large Open Pores?
Tiny Several factors cause small pit-like pores all over the skin. Some of the most common reasons behind these large open pores are (1):
- Genetics: How we look is primarily based on our genetics, which may also determine the size of our skin pores.
- Excess Sebum: The over-secretion of sebaceous glands makes the skin oily, which may also enlarge the pores over time.
- Build-Ups: Sebum rises to the top of the skin and collects in pores, which combines with sweat, dirt, dead cells, makeup, etc. These build-ups may make tiny pores look more prominent if not properly cleansed. They may also clog the pores, eventually leading to skin problems like acne, pimples, whiteheads, and blackheads.
- Thick Hair Follicles: When the pores get clogged, the volume of hair follicles in them also increases. It also increases the size of the pores.
- Aging: As we age, our skin loses elasticity around the pores due to the less production of collagen in it. This makes them appear enlarged.
- Climate: Those living in humid areas (tropics or warm countries) usually have large pores as overexposure to the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays stretch their skin and, in turn, expand the pores.
- Wrong Skincare and Makeup: Following an unhealthy skincare practice and using non-comedogenic makeup products may also give rise to open pores,
The number of sebaceous glands are the maximum in the skin on the face, back, chest, and groin. Hence, the pores on these areas may appear larger than they do on other parts of the body.
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Home Remedies to Minimize Open Pores Naturally
A 2015 study emphasized that the size of skin pores is primarily an aesthetic concern, debunking the notion of pore-closing products as a myth (2). Instead of attempting to close pores physically, the focus should be on effective methods to remove accumulated impurities, keeping the pores unclogged. To address this, consider implementing the following ten simple home remedies to minimize open pores and maintain healthier skin naturally:
1. Steaming
Give yourself a steamy facial twice a week. You might argue that this opens up more pores and makes you sweat. The idea is to open them up and clean them out thoroughly by eliminating all oil, dirt, and grime settled inside. Add some skin-friendly herbs or oils (clove essential oil, cinnamon bark essential oil, etc.) to the steam to reap the maximum benefits. Once done with steaming, wash off your face with a mild cleanser and cold water. Then, apply rose water or any toner of your choice to seal the pores and prevent new bacteria from entering. This will remove the discoloration caused by clogged pores and minimize their sizes to make them less visible.
2. Lemon Juice Mask
Lemon juice has excellent astringent properties, which help tighten the skin by unclogging the pores and shrinking them over time. The citric acid content of lemon juice loosens and breaks the chemical bond between the impurities and the skin, thus clearing out pores naturally (3). It also regulates the production of sebum in the skin. Being a natural source of vitamin C, it whitens the skin and gives it a healthy glow, too. Cut the lemon into half, dilute its juice with water, and apply it with a cotton ball to your face. Leave it on for 10 minutes, and wash off with lukewarm water.
3. Honey, Sugar, and Lemon Scrub
Apart from lemon, the other two ingredients used in this scrub are also effective in reducing pore size. Honey is a natural astringent that shrinks large open pores, especially in areas like the nose, cheeks, etc., while the antioxidant properties of the ingredient make the skin look healthy and youthful (4). On the other hand, sugar exfoliates the skin by sloughing dead cell build-ups off the pores. Before starting, you must cleanse your face well. Mix one teaspoon of honey, one teaspoon of lemon juice, and one teaspoon of brown or white sugar until it forms a grainy paste of medium consistency. Massage it well into the damp face for 5 minutes and leave it on for 30 minutes before rinsing with cold water. Finish it up with a toner and moisturizer.
4. Papaya Mask
Papaya is a fantastic exfoliator that unclogs the pores and eliminates blackheads by purifying the skin intensely (5). The fruit is also known for its potent antioxidants that help tone and tighten the skin. So, save a few pieces for your face the next time you cut papaya. You can mash them into a paste and apply the mask to your face. Leave it on for 10 minutes and wash it off with cold water.
5. Clay Mask
Clay masks work wonderfully When minimizing pores by drying the sebum underneath and pulling impurities out. They may even reduce inflammation and the appearance of acne lesions by 54% when combined with jojoba oil (6). Multani mitti, or fuller’s earth, is the most effective clay mask for minimizing open pores and, hence, is widely utilized in spas and skin clinics (7). After cleansing and scrubbing the face, apply the cool mask of Multani mitti mixed with rose water. Leave it on until it dries completely and your pores tighten. Then, wash it off with cold water. Repeat this twice or thrice every week for visible reduction of pores.
6. Ice Cube Massage
This is probably the easiest and most cost-effective method you can ever try to instantly reduce the appearance of your pores. All you need to do is run an ice cube all over your face and massage your skin for a few minutes. Then, allow it to dry naturally. Ice cubes work like magic in shrinking pores because of their cold temperature. Similarly, splash your face with cold water whenever your pores seem too big or your face gets oily. This is an easy and sure-fire way to constrict pores.
7. Cornflour Mask
In worldwide cooking practice, cornflour is used to thicken gravies as it helps absorb water. The exact property of cornflour may help it absorb excess oil from the skin and shrink the pores. Combine one teaspoon of cornflour with a few drops of honey and lemon juice to make a paste. Apply it all over the cleansed face. With this mask on, your skin will feel tighter, which is a sign that your pores are shrinking. Wash it away with plain water after 15-30 minutes and follow up with a mild, non-drying toner and moisturizer.
8. Egg White Mask
Egg white tightens and tones the skin naturally. This makes the pores appear smaller by shrinking them and successfully treats virulent forms of acne (8). Just crack open an egg and separate the white parts from the yolk. Apply the egg white to the cleansed face and leave it on for 10 minutes before washing it off. Make sure that you apply your go-to moisturizer afterward to help the skin feel hydrated.
9. Oatmeal Scrub
Oatmeal is a beautiful skin exfoliator that helps in shrinking pores, too. Moreover, it is readily available in grocery stores and is very affordable. Mix a teaspoon of oatmeal powder with enough plain or rose water to prepare the mask. Make a thick, smooth paste and scrub your face gently with it. Make sure you follow a small circular motion using only your fingertips. Leave the mixture on the face for 10 minutes before rinsing it with cold water.
10. Yogurt Pack
Yogurt, easily accessible at home, is a convenient remedy for large pores. The lactic acid it contains reduces pore size and removes marks and blemishes. Additionally, yogurt effectively eliminates dead cells and impurities from the skin. Massage two teaspoons of yogurt onto your skin, leave it on for 10 minutes, and then rinse your face with warm water to eliminate oiliness. Conclude the process with cold water to close the pores and lock in moisture.
Read Also – Best Astringents for Oily Acne-Prone Skin – Top 7 Picks (with Updated Prices)
Preventive Skincare for Open Pores
So, how do you stop your skin pores from getting more prominent? Just follow some tried-and-tested preventive measures. Here we go:
- Wash your face twice daily with a gel-based cleanser that contains glycolic acid. It will keep oiliness at bay, prevent large pores, and treat acne effectively. (9)
- Apply topical retinoids once daily, as they have been found to reduce the appearance of large pores to some extent (10).
- Exfoliate your skin 2-3 times weekly with a gentle facial scrub containing either AHAs or BHAs (11) to eliminate toxins, dirt, oil, and dead cells trapped in your pores.
- Use only water-based, non-comedogenic skincare products to avoid extra oil getting into your pores and making them appear larger.
Summary:
Our skin contains millions of invisible ‘pores’ or tiny holes that house hair follicles and sebaceous glands while allowing the skin to breathe by releasing oils, sweat, and other microscopic materials through them. They also cool off our body and detoxify it, thus keeping the skin clean and healthy. Pores cannot be ‘closed’ as they are already open. But sometimes they may get clogged with oil, dead cells, dirt, grime, etc., leaving the skin dull and porous. Genetics, aging, thick hair follicles, excess sebum, climate, etc. may also make the pores appear larger. However, they can be made less prominent on the skin through unclogging, which can be carried out with certain simple home remedies. It is also important to follow some preventive skincare tips in order to make the most of your efforts.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What Diet Promotes Healthy Skin Pores?
Maintaining a well-balanced diet rich in whole grains, low processed sugar, spinach, mushrooms, alfalfa seeds, zucchini, seaweed, fresh green juices, and ample water intake supports healthy skin pores.
Is Aloe Vera Gel Effective for Pores?
Indeed, massaging the skin with aloe vera gel can offer hydration and nourishment while effectively cleansing and tightening pores.
Best Oil for Unclogging Pores?
Jojoba oil, renowned for its natural astringent properties, is recommended for unclogging pores and promoting tighter skin.
Can Baking Soda Reduce Pore Size?
While baking soda is ineffective in shrinking larger pores, alternative methods exist to address pore concerns.
Does Pore Squeeze Enlarge Them?
Frequent squeezing of pores may diminish the skin’s elasticity around the pores, potentially making their appearance larger than before.
References:
- “Facial Pores: Definition, Causes, and Treatment Options,” ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- “Facial Skin Pores: A Multiethnic Study“, ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- “28-Day Skin Plan: For Clear and Glowing Skin“, books.google.co.in
- “Medicinal and Cosmetic Uses of Bee’s Honey – A Review,” ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- “Papaya No-More-Pores Double Mask Treatment,” WebMD.com
- “Clay Jojoba Oil Facial Mask for Lesioned Skin and Mild Acne–Results of a Prospective, Observational Pilot Study,” ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- “Aromatherapy for Holistic Therapists,” books.google.co.in
- “Your Best Face Now: Look Younger in 20 Days with the Do-It-Yourself Acupressure Facelift“, books.google.co.in
- “The Effect of a Daily Facial Cleanser for Normal to Oily Skin on the Skin Barrier of Subjects with Acne,” ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- “Enlarged Facial Pores: An Update on Treatments,” ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- “10 Skin Care Secrets for Healthier-Looking Skin“, AAD.org
