6 Dermatologist-Approved Tips To Minimise Your Pores

Skin pores are small openings in the skin that release natural oils and sweat. While you cannot get rid of your pores, you can unclog them, shrink them, and generally make them retreat to the point where you see them as little as possible.

Pore size varies depending on several factors including genetics, age, and lifestyle. Since you cannot change your genetic inheritance or age, what you can do is to modify your everyday routine to include steps that help minimize the appearance of these pores.

Types of Pores

There are 3 common types of pores – normal, enlarged, and ageing pores.

• Normal Pores: Are genetically determined.
• Enlarged Pores: Pores expand due to the build up of dead skin and sebum, sometimes leading to blackheads.
• Ageing Pores: Sagging skin occurs due to the loss of elasticity in the skin, causing pores to appear stretched out of their usual shape. 

Tips to Minimize Your Pores

Here are 6 simple tips that will have your pores looking flawless:

1. Use a gentle face wash twice a day

When dirt and oil build up in pores, they appear larger. Hence, regular cleansing can help prevent enlarged, clogged pores.

It is recommended to wash your face twice a day – morning and night – with warm water and a gentle cleanser. Do not scrub too hard as doing so can irritate the skin, making the pores appear larger. Use your hands or a soft cloth to cleanse your face, then pat dry.

2. Exfoliate by using a gentle face scrub once a week

While exfoliation may make pores less noticeable, over-exfoliation can cause irritation and inflammation.

To exfoliate, use your fingertips to massage a gentle, exfoliating scrub onto your face before rinsing it off and patting dry. 

Always remember to apply moisturizer to your face after exfoliating to rehydrate your skin.

3. Use a retinoid cream that is suitable for your skin type

Retinol is a form of Vitamin A that can improve the appearance of your skin by increasing the rate of cell turnover in the skin. 

However, take note that women who are pregnant and breastfeeding should not use products containing retinol.

Consult your dermatologist for a prescription.

4. Treat acne

Treating your acne can unclog your pores and improve the overall appearance of your skin.

However, how you treat your acne also matters. Do not pick at or squeeze your pimples as this is likely to cause skin irritations and may make your pores appear larger.

Consult a dermatologist to get a treatment plan for your acne condition.

5. Use sunscreen daily

Sun damage is one of the leading causes of enlarged pores as sun exposure causes the skin to lose elasticity and sag, increasing pore size.

You can minimize the effects of the sun by applying sunscreen with an SPF50 or higher to your face twice a day, especially first thing in the mornings and reapplying later in the afternoon.

6. Anti-ageing treatments

Professional treatments to tighten the skin can help prevent skin sagging, minimizing the appearance of pores. Most people need more than one treatment to achieve their desired effect and results typically last for about a year.

Consult a dermatologist to explore the treatment options available for you.

Conclusion

If changes to your routine and lifestyle are not making an impact on your enlarged pores, professional treatments may be beneficial for you.  Your dermatologist can recommend certain procedures to help with enlarged pores such as laser treatments.