How To Shrink Enlarged Pores — A Leading Skin Specialist Answers Your Questions

Enlarged pores can be quite prominent and unsightly, causing some people to feel less confident when it comes to the appearance of their skin. The good news is there are lots of ways to minimise the appearance of large pores. Read on to find out more…   

Beauty Daily speaks to leading aesthetician and skin expert Dr Tara Francis on ways to help reduce large pores and prevent them from developing in the first place.  She also gives us some top tips on how to treat them. 

What causes large pores?

If you have large pores, it’s not your fault! According to Dr Francis, there are only three known determining factors of pore size. 

“A lot of skincare issues can come down to genetics. If you have large pores, they have likely been passed down through the genetic line. People with fair and dry skin tend to have smaller pores,” she explains. “People who have naturally oily skin also tend to have larger pores. The more you stimulate your sebaceous glands, the more oil is produced, and the pores enlarge to expel this oil. Clogged pores also have the same effect.” Age is also a factor, Dr Francis notes. ”As we age, our skin begins to lose its elasticity. This means it can no longer spring back to its earlier state after being filled with dead skin cells or sebum.” 

Large pores on the face or nose

Large pores on the face and nose have various causes. They may appear larger on the cheeks, nose and forehead because of the addition of blackheads — formed when a hair follicle in the skin gets clogged or plugged. Your pores may become permanently enlarged due to blackheads, which can lead to problematic skin issues. 

Squeezing your pores can also make them appear enlarged, as this can stretch the skin around them, causing visible skin damage and making them bigger and more visible. It may be difficult to resist doing so, but try to keep hands away from doing this. 

Also, as we become older, there is a reduction in our collagen. This can lead to saggy skin, making the pores appear larger. 

People with an oily complexion are producing excess oil which can also lead to clogged pores, causing them to appear larger. Enlarged pores are often associated with oily skin, but dry skin types can experience them, too. 

 

Read next: What Is Oily Skin And How To Balance It

 

Treatment for large pores 

Taking preventative measures and knowing how best to treat large pores is the best way to help your skin heal and look its best. 

“Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is very important,” added Dr Francis. “Be sure to focus on your diet, exercise and water intake ensuring your skin is getting the right balance of nutrients and hydration.” 

Below, Dr Francis adds some other treatment suggestions which are totally spot on!  

• Avoid touching your face (unless you’re applying skin care products or you’re cleansing). Bacteria on your fingers can transfer into pores and help clog them and we really don’t want this! 
• Be sure to wash the face both morning and evening, and after exercise, to ensure it is as clean as possible. 
• Try and choose water-based creams. Using oil-based creams (including natural oils such as coconut oil) can mix with dead skin cells and clog pores. You should be moisturising daily if you are not already doing so. 
• Choose gel-based or oil-based cleansers. Slightly different to the above point in terms of oil, but face oil actually dissolves a lot better in oil than in water, so this is the reason why. 
• Try to get into the habit of exfoliating regularly at home — once to twice per week. It is important not to exfoliate more than twice a week, however. Although exfoliation keeps the pores unclogged, they can look bigger if the skin becomes too dry so you need to find the right balance. 
• Apply a clay mask once to twice per week to help unclog pores. 
• Try to remember to change your pillowcase regularly — a dirty one is a trap for bacteria and makeup, as well as products left on our faces! 
• It’s an obvious one, but remember to wear sunscreen and use SPF daily (even in the winter!) 
• UV and pollution cause free radicals that break down the collagen and elastin in skin, making the skin less tight and pores therefore look larger. Some SPFs can be shiny and this can make pores appear more prominent, therefore using a primer that contains SPF, or foundation (if you wear it) containing SPF are good options too. 

 

Read more: Make Chemical Exfoliation A Priority If You Want Super Glowing Skin