Here are 8 ways to minimize large open pores
Highlights:
What causes open pores?
Types of open pores
8 ways to minimize large open pores
Minimize large open pores: Your skin being the largest organ of your body is covered with millions of pores just sparing the palms of your hands and the soles of your feet. These pores are the opening of hair follicles and certain ducts that carry sebum and sweat to the skin surface from their respective glands known as sebaceous and eccrine glands. Your face, chest, upper back, as well as groin are the areas that are rich in sebaceous glands. These glands produce a waxy, oily material known as sebum. This helps in moisturizing the skin while forming a part of its natural protective barrier.
However, when these ducts get clogged with dirt: dead skin cells as well as sebum, they eventually get dilated and become visible on the skin surface as open pores.
What causes open pores?
1. Can be hereditary
A person could be genetically predisposed to developing them over some time.
2. Overexposure to UV radiation
They can also be acquired due to over-exposure to UV radiation.
3. Smoking
4. Improper diet
5. Excessive sebum production
6. Use of comedogenic products
7. The process of aging
Some of you might think, “Oh I do not even have oily or acne-prone skin, why do I have open pores?”
Open pores are not just associated with acne-prone or oily skin.
Research has shown that there are 3 types of open pores.
Types of open pores
The “O” type appears as dilated dots in the T-zone of your face, which is most commonly associated with acne-prone and oily skin.
The “U” type
They can be seen most commonly in dry, dehydrated skin.
the “Y” type
The Y type is seen most commonly in aging skin due to decreased neocollagenesis.
Read More- Skincare routine after 30: 15 minutes routine that every woman should follow!
8 ways to minimize large open pores
1. Go for Water based products
Moisturizing products contain various ingredients, including oils. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends using oil-free products, including makeup that is water-based. People with oily skin will benefit from products that contain humectants rather than oils.
The most effective humectants in skin care products are honey and urea. Oil-based products include petroleum, coconut oil, and other oils that effectively moisten the skin, but they may not be ideal for people with oily skin and large pores.
2. Wash your face twice a day
Washing the face is basic skincare. The AAD recommends the following:
- washing the face up to twice a day, or more after sweating a lot or doing sports
- using lukewarm water and gently applying a cleanser with clean fingers
- choosing a gentle cleanser that is non-abrasive and does not contain alcohol
- avoiding scrubbing or rubbing the skin
- patting the face dry with a clean towel
Using a facial cleansing cleanser every morning and evening will help wash away oil and dirt from the pores, so they will appear smaller.
3. Choose gel-based products
Oil-based or alcohol-based cleansers may irritate oily skin, while moisturizing cleansers may leave residue in the pores and make them more visible. A gel-based cleanser is the best option for people with oily skin who want to minimize their pores.
Gel-based cleansers help eliminate oil from pores and reduce their appearance.
Read More- 5 shower Hacks which will make your skin happy!
4. Exfoliating
Exfoliation is recommended once or twice a week for people with oily skin to remove matter that can clog their pores, such as:
- dirt
- dead skin cells
- excess oil
5. Moisturize your skin daily
The idea of moisturizing oily skin may seem counterproductive, but a moisturizer with no oil can help reduce pore size. After washing and patting the skin dry, a person can apply a moisturizer gently to hydrate and soften the skin.
6. Apply a clay mask
Using a clay mask every once or twice a week can reduce oil production from the pores since clay absorbs sebum. Removing that oil can help prevent pores from becoming enlarged and make them more visible.
7. Do not forget to remove makeup at night
Before going to bed, you should always remove your makeup. Sleeping with makeup overnight can cause your pores to become blocked by oil, bacteria, and makeup buildup. Cleaning wipes can help you remove makeup quickly and easily.
8. Wear sunscreen
Sun exposure can dry out the skin, causing pores to appear larger. Many moisturizers contain sunscreen. Choose one with an SPF-30 or higher.
You cannot completely or permanently remove your open pores as they are a part and parcel of your skin’s function, however, you can minimize large open pores in size.
