What are pores? Pores are tiny openings on the surface of the skin that act as a gateway for sweat and sebum to be released from the skin. Helping to rid the body of toxins and oils means they play a very important part in keeping our skin healthy. When pores become clogged or filled with excess dirt or sebum, you may find yourself beset with acne, whiteheads, blackheads, or cystic acne. The larger your pores, the more visible they are. Why do I have big pores? Genetics – If you have large pores, they have likely been passed down through the genetic line. Your parents, grandparents, and perhaps even great-grandparents had large pores as well. While you can’t control how you got large pores, you can control whether they get stretched out or impacted with sebum. Oily Skin – The more you stimulate your sebaceous glands, the more oil is produced, and the pores enlarge to expel this oil, so people who have naturally oily skin will have larger pores. Oily skin is a complexion type, but there are things you can do to cut the amount of oil your face produces. If you touch your face often or play sports or exercise with makeup on, your skin will become oilier. Reducing the amount of oil is key in having some control over your pore size. Age – As we age, our skin begins to lose its elasticity meaning it can no longer spring back to its earlier state after being filled with dead skin cells or sebum. Sun damage can also contribute to larger pore size, as well as ageing. How do I ensure my pores don’t get larger? Avoid bar soap – Not only are bar soaps very drying on the skin, which as stated will increase oil production, the select ingredients that help the soap shape into its bar form can actually clog your pores, increasing their size. Antioxidants – Antioxidants are crucial in your skin care regime if you want to prevent large pores from getting even larger. Opt for serums or lightweight gels and not lotions or creams. Regular facials – treat yourself to regular facials as they can help you maintain your pore size and prevent them from getting larger. Remove all your makeup – No matter how tired you are at the end of the night, you need to remove all traces of your makeup before going to bed. Cleanse your face thoroughly before hitting the pillow. Diet watch – Are you eating lots of greasy foods? If so, you aren’t helping your complexion. Opt for lots of fruits, vegetables, and other elements of a raw diet, and limit the amount of oily foods you consume. Detoxifying your body and skin can help control its natural oil production, and prevent the occurrence of enlarged pores.
