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It’s important to know that large pores are very common. Literally, every single human on this planet has the appearance of pores, but we can get so stressed out about them. I blame social media for this. If you look at any social media you will see so many women with no pores in any of their photos. Are some people just blessed with pores so small you can’t see them? Not at all, these photos are just re-touched or have the right combination of makeup, angles, and lighting.
And though pores are a part of our body, it’s only natural if you want to reduce their large appearance. To know the best treatment and best facial for large pores, first, it’s helpful to know what pores are.
What Are Pores?
A pore is the opening of a hair follicle. The sebaceous glands produce sebum which is a lubricating oil within the hair follicles. Sebum is important because it protects and moisturizes the skin.
What Causes Pores To Get Enlarged?
Pores are normal to have, but they can get enlarged when they are filled with dirt, debris, oil, and dead skin cells. Your pores also become enlarged when excess sebum is produced and they lose their structural support.
Collagen is that structural support and she kinda runs the show around here. If collagen is slacking, we are all feeling it. Collagen loss happens from natural aging and sun damage.
You can get collagen through foods like fish and broth, but most people are not getting enough in their daily diet. To supplement, you can try out the cult-favorite collagen powder by Vital Proteins.
The Hype: 4.6/5 177k+ reviews
So now that we know parts of social media aren’t real and we all have pores, how can we make our larger pores less visible?
1. Use Sunscreen
Sun damage leads to the wearing down of collagen, which will make your pores look bigger. This is not good news, because you basically need the collagen production line working nonstop.
Though it’s not so much a facial treatment as it is facial care, be proactive in wearing sunscreen every day, even if it’s cloudy outside. If you plan to spend a large amount of time in the sun, such as on vacation, take extra precautions such as wearing a hat when you lay out.
Colorscience says, “Without the use of sunscreen, unstable molecules known as free radicals penetrate deep into your cells and damage their ability to repair themselves.”
2. Chemical Peels
Chemical peels are great for helping to reduce pore size when dirt and debris are the causes. Peels can promote cell turnover and remove the debris, dead skin cells, and blackheads that make you have the appearance of large pores.
The nice thing about chemical peels is you don’t need to have a professional do them. Many different beauty brands offer their own products that are actually very effective.
Since so many different skincare brands offer chemical peels, you are able to customize the acid and strength for your skin.
For an effective peel, you want to look for peels that have the active ingredients of beta hydroxy acid and alpha hydroxy acids.
Glycolic acid is typically great for people with dry skin and salicylic acid peels are perfect for those who have acne-prone skin.
Other great ingredients to look for are lactic acid and hyaluronic acid. At-home chemical peels are some of the best ways to get treatments done for cheaper than you would pay in-office.
The Hype: 4.6/5, 92% would recommend, less than $10!
3. Microneedling
Microneedling is a medical cosmetic treatment that uses fine needles to puncture the skin, causing a controlled injury. This “injury” then tells your skin to produce more collagen to heal itself. The end result is a clearer complexion.
In addition to helping reduce the appearance of large pores, microneedling can also help with skin concerns such as acne scars, fine lines, and dark spots.
This is one area I would advise to never DIY. Save this one for the professionals and in the meantime, treat your skin with an alpha beta peel.
The Hype: 4.5/5 “This product is literally insane. You always spend money and time trying out different products that end in disappointment but this one is different. After two uses my skin is changed for the better. Clear and glowy. I literally can’t believe it.”
Related: 11 Beauty Products We’re Simply Obsessed With at MCO
4. Laser Treatments
There are a ton of different laser treatments that will help reduce the size of your pores. Certain treatments have varying lengths of recovery time, so keep that in mind. These treatments are usually not one and done, so be prepared to go into the office a couple of times to get full results.
Since this has the potential to alter your face, I would strongly encourage you to do your research and find a great laser-trained esthetician, nurse, or surgeon (depending on the severity of the laser) to work with.
For a more affordable approach you can do at home, LED light masks are very popular these days. LED light masks are full face masks that light up and target certain skin concerns.
These masks are a nice extra for your skincare routine but at the same time, they don’t have the same strength as lasers. On the plus side, they don’t have the recovery time that lasers require either.
The Hype: 4.4/5 “This mask has absolutely saved my life! I’m not kidding. I was on the edge of insanity and battling major depression because of my face. I’ve had a skin condition for 6 years that multiple doctors have been unable to diagnose. Huge open sores that weep and won’t heal. But literally IN JUST 5 DAYS THIS MASK HEALED IT ALL, WITH NO NEW SPOTS AND THE SKIN AROUND IT FELT SOFT AND SUPPLE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 6 YEARS!!!!”
5. Don’t Skip Your Skincare Routine
Though everyone should have a consistent skincare routine, this tip is more for my oily skin girls. I’m sure in the summer you always seem to have a bunch of excess oil on your face. My skin type is combination-oily so I’m right there with you. Sometimes I wonder if I should go into oil production.
We need to be extra diligent about washing and moisturizing our faces. The last thing we need is to lose our structural support. We don’t need to give our pores any reason to become larger.
The Hype: 4.6/5 97% would recommend.
6. Use a Retinol (And Then Throw Away Your Magnifying Mirror)
Dermatologists recommend a retinol cream for optimal skin clarity in general, but it can also do wonders for your pore size. Retinol cream increases cell turnover, acting as an exfoliation for your skin that will leave pores smoother and smaller over time.
The Hype: 4.8/5. 99% would recommend
Okay, once you’ve got the right facial treatment and product to try out, it’s time to get rid of your magnifying mirror. I believe these mirrors, along with social media, have the power to make you feel bad about yourself. With the exception of your partner, no one is standing that close to you and looking at your face. I don’t believe you should be either.
Unlike the social media filters, these mirrors just show you every single flaw. You can only improve the appearance of your pores. You can never get rid of them.
Every single human has the appearance of pores and looking at them up close in a mirror is not going to bring productive thoughts.
With the right products and treatments, improving the appearance of large pores can happen. Use these 6 tips to get you started.
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