When the pores around your nose and cheeks are enlarged, it gives the skin an uneven appearance that many people want to correct. What most people don't know is that there are numerous ways to reduce pore size. Pores are small openings in human skin that serve an important purpose: to let our skin breathe. Pores play a vital role in the skin's ability to secrete sebum and protect the uppermost layer of skin from external environmental influences. But why do some people have large pores while others have small ones? Genes and hormones actually determine the size of your pores. However, oily or mature skin can also lead to enlarged pores. For example, people with oily skin usually have larger pores because sebum, dead skin cells, and dirt can accumulate more easily in the exits of the sebaceous glands. When this happens, the pore becomes clogged and stretched. Once a pore is stretched, it cannot return to its normal size on its own. Regular cleansing and other methods can help improve the skin's appearance, while preventive measures can help avoid large pores before they develop.
What exactly are pores?
The word "pore" comes from the Greek term "póros," which translates to "opening," "passage," or something similar. Its modern meaning is similar to what it had long ago in Latin medical language: "porī" (pores) referred to small skin openings containing sweat or sebaceous glands. On an adult human body, there are approximately 300,000 pores – tiny openings formed by sebaceous and sweat glands, as well as hair follicles.
Your pores play an important role in secretion, the elimination of toxins, and your skin's self-cleansing function. What many people don't know is that sebum serves an important purpose. It covers the skin with a fatty acid mantle which, due to its pH, protects you from germs, bacteria, viruses, fungi, and environmental influences, while also providing sufficient moisture for healthy skin. The small openings on your skin not only serve for sweat secretion and temperature regulation but also support the skin's metabolism. Pores assist both with oxygen supply and the absorption of skincare products.
Pore care is important to keep your skin clean and healthy – allowing sweat and sebum to be excreted smoothly without blackheads forming. Many people think that pores open and close. In reality, there is no opening or closing of pores. What actually happens is the softening of your skin under warm water during cleansing, which makes it easier to remove impurities from larger-looking pores.
How do enlarged pores develop?
The truth is that some women have fewer pores and others have more, but this difference is purely genetic. However, how the skin develops can also be influenced by lifestyle. Things like smoking cigarettes, sunbathing without sunscreen, or not getting enough sleep take their toll over time – even if the damage isn't immediately visible.
Please refrain from cigarettes and alcohol when you're stressed; instead, meditate for a while. Also, make sure to apply sunscreen before leaving the house! It's worth noting that natural aging also leads to larger pores; children have hardly visible pores. This is because components of the connective tissue like hyaluronic acid are broken down over time, causing the skin to loosen and pores to enlarge.
How can enlarged pores be reduced?
Large pores can be quite a nuisance, but fortunately, there are ways to combat them. Not sure which remedy is best for you? Here are a few helpful tips and tricks that might assist you.
Regular Cleansing
Every evening, it is important to cleanse your skin and remove makeup. An experienced dermatologist then recommends using a non-drying, alcohol-free facial toner (preferably with some AHA or BHA). Additionally, using an electric facial cleansing brush can be beneficial.
Using the Right Active Ingredients
Using the right skincare is important if you want to treat large pores. Knowing which active ingredients to use and applying them strategically is key to an optimal care routine that can (visually) reduce the size of your pores. Note: Don't expect miraculous cures from promising creams and serums – while they can reduce your pores back to their original size, they won't make them disappear completely.
To refine your pores, look for serums with niacinamide, retinol, and hyaluronic acid. These ingredients have been shown to improve your skin's tone, provide it with sufficient moisture, and prevent the overproduction of sebum. Another tip against large pores is BHA: salicylic acid peels are lipophilic – meaning they dissolve oil. BHA penetrates deep into the pores, freeing them from accumulated sebum and dirt, thereby regulating sebum production.
Witch hazel water is a lesser-known solution for enlarged pores. Its anti-inflammatory effect targets the root of pimples and excess sebum, leading to smaller pores and an overall more even complexion. Zinc and tea tree oil are other cosmetics that can achieve similar results.
Proper Care
People with oily or blemish-prone skin are more susceptible to enlarged pores. For this reason, it is important to care for your skin properly. You should avoid using overly rich or oily textures, as these can clog your pores. Instead, opt for lightweight skincare products such as moisturizing fluids or gels.
Healing or Clay Earth
Masks containing healing ingredients or clay are ideal for treating large pores. They absorb excess sebum and prevent the formation of blackheads or pimples. Some clay masks also have an astringent effect, which tightens the skin – including the pores – for a certain period after application. This refining effect provides a smoother complexion and smaller-looking pores.
Peel-off products
Pore strips, as the name suggests, are used to cleanse your enlarged pores. The small strips are applied precisely to the affected area of your face. Leave them on your face according to the product's instructions, then peel them off. Although the adhesive strips are primarily intended to combat blackheads, for about 30 days they mainly remove follicular filaments, i.e., oxidized and excess sebum. Pore strips are considerably more aggressive than clay masks. They can cause redness and irritation on sensitive skin. In some cases, they also remove dead skin cells, which disturbs the skin barrier. Fun fact: Permanent hair removal methods like waxing have a similar effect! So you kill two birds with one stone.
Sun Protection
One of the most important aspects of any skincare routine is the incorporation of UV protection! This is not only important on days with direct sunlight but every day: UV radiation is always and everywhere, even when it's cloudy. Sun exposure not only causes irreparable skin damage, it also enlarges pores: in the short term, it enlarges the pores of the sebaceous glands. In the long term, however, UV radiation damages elastin and collagen fibers, leading to premature skin aging and sagging. The solution: apply cream!
Makeup and Makeup Removal
If you don't have much time, use makeup to touch up or "remove" large pores. A good primer fills the pores and creates an even look. When buying, avoid primers containing silicone, as they don't let your skin breathe, clog pores, and worsen the problem. After priming, apply a BB cream or foundation for more even skin coverage. And don't forget – thoroughly cleanse your skin every evening! If you occasionally forget to remove your makeup, it's not a big deal. However, if you regularly go to bed without removing your makeup, you can experience problems with your skin's regeneration. During the night, your skin is active, working to create new cells. Environmental residues and makeup from the day can prevent or slow down this process. If you sleep with makeup on, it also clogs pores and enlarges them.
Are there also home remedies for pores?
Yes, there are. Even a few, let's take a look at them.
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Steam Bath
Discolored, dark blackheads make large pores particularly visible. They form in the pores when sebum production is excessive and they become clogged. The black color is due to the oxidation of dead skin cells. Discolored, dark blackheads make large pores particularly visible. They form in the pores when sebum production is excessive and they become clogged. The black color is due to the oxidation of dead skin cells. A steam bath can help cleanse your pores and remove dirt and sebum. To make a chamomile oil steam bath, boil about a liter of water and mix it with a few drops of chamomile oil. After relaxing for ten minutes with a towel over your head, uncover your face and gently wash it with lukewarm water and mild soap.
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Cucumber Mask
Cucumbers are not only delicious but can also help reduce the appearance of large pores. Try this cucumber mask: slice a cucumber and place the slices on your freshly cleansed face, avoiding the eye area. You should feel a cooling, cleansing, and firming effect – perfect for oily and large-pored skin! The cucumber slices need about 20-30 minutes to work optimally. If you don't have that much time, you can also just use cucumber juice: press the cucumbers through a sieve so that the juice comes out, then apply it to your face with a cotton ball. Wash it off with cool water after twenty minutes.
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Apple Cider Vinegar
Cloudy apple cider vinegar is a natural, proven home remedy for shrinking pores. It not only kills bacteria but also has an anti-inflammatory effect. Be careful not to apply the vinegar too concentrated, as it can easily cause skin irritation otherwise. To use this remedy, mix apple cider vinegar with water in a 1:3 ratio. Soak a cotton ball in the mixture and apply it to your problem areas. Wash the area with cool water after twenty minutes.
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Baking Soda
Did you know that one of the many benefits of baking soda is that it can help with large pores? The small grains act as an exfoliant, removing dead skin cells, environmental dirt, and excess sebum. Mix two tablespoons of water and two tablespoons of baking soda to form a light paste, then massage it into your face. Rinse thoroughly and apply facial care products as usual!
What professional facial treatments are suitable for large pores?
Creams and makeup can temporarily cover large pores, but they will eventually reappear. Professional or medical treatments offer a longer-term solution that effectively reduces the appearance of large pores.
Microneedling
The cosmetic procedure known as microneedling uses very fine needles that move along the surface of your skin. This creates tiny perforations, which increase blood circulation in the skin and stimulate it to produce elastin, hyaluronic acid, and collagen. The treatment also promotes cell regeneration, leading to a lasting refinement of enlarged pores.
Laser
Erbium lasers can superficially smooth the skin and also make pores appear smaller. Depending on the initial condition of your skin, however, you may need 2-3 sessions.
Aquafacial
The Aquafacial treatment is a multi-step process that uses a minimally invasive technique to remove old skin cells. Afterwards, an AHA solution is applied to your skin, which softens deposits in the pores and prepares them for deep cleansing. Sebum deposits, blackheads, and dirt are removed from the pores thanks to the vacuum effect. Finally, your skin is supplied with moisturizing active ingredients. The result: reduced pores and a radiant complexion.
Hyaluronic Acids
Non- or lightly cross-linked hyaluronic acids injected into the skin can improve moisture retention and stimulate collagen synthesis to firm the skin. Typically, this treatment should be performed once or twice a year.
Microdermabrasion
Microdermabrasion was first used in surgery to remove scar tissue. It can be an effective method to improve the appearance of the skin and reduce pores back to their original size. With a polishing device with a diamond attachment, the outermost layer of skin is gently removed. Dead cells are removed, revealing fresh and radiant skin without enlarging the pores.
How do I prevent enlarged pores?
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UV Protection
Without sun protection, your skin is exposed to ultraviolet radiation, which can lead to premature aging and skin cancer. Large-pored skin can be the result of too much sun exposure, as it damages elastin and collagen fibers over time. Apply a cream with SPF daily, regardless of the season. There are sun gels that feel like a light cream on the skin and do not weigh down the skin or clog pores.
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Don't pick at them!
Keep your hands off your pores! If you pick at blackheads or pimples, you could unintentionally damage or enlarge the pore.
Lifestyle
While it may be obvious to some, many people don't realize that changing their daily habits is the most difficult step toward healthy skin. A healthier lifestyle in general is key to flawless skin. For example, smoking and alcohol consumption can cause large pores and blemishes.
Conclusion
Pores are completely natural and useful. If you think they appear too large, there's a lot you can do about it. With our tips, suitable care, and appropriate treatments, you'll quickly get it under control.
