Our customers have a wide range of skincare concerns, but one of the most predominant concerns is large pore size. While pores are essential to keeping our skin moist and healthy, enlarged pores can create a bothersome and unattractive appearance to the skin. Large pores are usually a characteristic of thick, oily skin types, but can surface with age on other skin types as well. Unfortunately, there isn’t a way to permanently shrink or eliminate large pores, but luckily there is a number of ways to reduce the appearance of large pore size. When your pores are clogged, the debris expands the pore, causing acne, blackheads and whiteheads and create the appearance of an enlarged pore. To reduce the size of large pores, you’ll need to keep your skin clear and exfoliated. We recommend exfoliating on a regular basis to eliminate dead skin build up. Exfoliants are available in a physical form (scrubs with grains, beads or sand) and chemical form (alpha hydroxy acids). While scrubs are great for the top layer of the skin, we recommend using a chemical exfoliant as it penetrates deep into the pore to rid of residue, dirt and bacteria. Pre-soaked exfoliating pads are an easy and convenient way of exfoliating the skin. I recommend Philosophy Multi Use Peel Pads, which contain lactic acid for rapid exfoliation. If you insist on using an exfoliant with beads I recommend that you try the ZO Skin Health Offects Exfoliating Polish which contains round magnesium crystals to rapidly exfoliate the skin, while depositing scrumptious antioxidants into the skin. In addition to exfoliating with alpha hydroxy acids, we recommend using a beta hydroxy acid in a topical treatment to keep your pores clean and clear. Salicylic acid, which is a beta hydroxy acid, has very small molecules so it penetrates deep into the skin, and works as an anti-inflammatory (salicylic and aspirin both come from the willow family), so it’s not only great for keeping your pores clear, it’s also outstanding for reducing swelling (goodbye, cystic acne)! I swear by (and recommend to everybody) the SkinCeuticals Blemish Control Gel, it’s never drying or irritating, and when used as a spot treatment on the nose, forehead and other problem-prone areas (jaw bone and chin areas for hormonal break-outs) it clears everything right up… the results are achieved almost overnight! If your skin is clear but your pores are enlarged due to aging, you may not be interested in putting acne medication on your face, instead opt for a retinol based cream. Retinol not only shrinks large pores but it’s also great for anti-aging as it induces collagen production, thus firming and toning the skin. As an added plus, it’s also great for hyperpigmentation caused by excess sun exposure. SkinMedica Rejuvenative Moisturizer is a great choice as it contains Retinyl Palmitate (retinol), and vitamins C and E. Once a week use a mask to further reduce the appearance of large pores. Kaolin clay is a great ingredient for pulling impurities from deep within your pores. We love the June Jacobs Pore Purifying Mud Masque because it has botanicals and antioxidants and a luxurious clay base. Your skin is baby-soft and pores are nearly invisible when the mask is washed off, plus this mask is great for all skin types, including very sensitive. To reduce the appearance of large pores quickly, we recommend using a facial primer. Primers use a silicone base to fill in large pores or lines without clogging, or irritation the skin. Plus, primers make your foundation go on much smoother. I like the bareMinerals bareVitamins Prime Time, as it balances the skin, controlling oil where needed, and smoothing dryness or flakiness where necessary, it also has a built in SPF and additional antioxidants to protect the skin, an all-in-one for $21? Count me in! With regular exfoliation and diligent care- your skin can look more like porcelain than crater-laden moon, so scrub it up, mask and prime for a healthy, poreless, beautiful complexion. Products featured in this article: Philosophy Multi Use Peel Pads, ZO Skin Health Offects Exfoliating Polish, SkinCeuticals Blemish Control Gel, SkinMedica Rejuvenative Moisturizer, bareVitamins Prime Time, June Jacobs Pore Purifying Mud Masque.
