Let’s get straight to the point. Is it possible to get rid of pores completely? We hate to tell you that the answer to that frequently asked question is a strong ‘No’. But you can minimise the pores on face to an extent that it makes a difference in the overall look of your skin. If you are interested in knowing about the remedies for those pesky pores on the face, we have all the details!
What are pores? Why do some people have large pores?
Everyone has pores on their face, while some might have small pores that are barely visible, others have enlarged ones that are quite prominent. Pores play an important role in the health of your skin by allowing the sebum to travel from the sebaceous gland to the skin surface. Though there are several factors that contribute to the enlargement of pores, the pore size is mainly determined by genetics. We can either lament and crib about the fact that some people are actually blessed with perfect skin or take measures to repair skin issues we face.
What causes large pores on the face?
Like we already mentioned, genetics is the main culprit but there are several other factors too which we will talk about now:
- Extremely oily skin
- Ageing (Reduced elasticity and collagen)
- Sun damage
- Blocked pores
How to minimise large pores!
There are thousands of articles online about home remedies on how to get rid of your pores but what none of them mentions is that these remedies are temporary and last only up to a few hours. They make your pores appear smaller for a few hours until they return to their original state. If you really want a long-term remedy, you have to treat the root cause of the issue. This is a 5-step skincare regime that will help minimise your pores:
- Cleanse thoroughly
It is very important to cleanse your skin twice every day whether you step out of the house or not. In the morning, you can use a mild cleanser and for the night, use a heavy-duty face cleanser that will get rid of all the makeup and dirt. Choose a cleanser based on your skin type:
- Acne-prone skin- Cleansers with salicylic acid
- Oily skin- Oil-free cleanser
- Dry skin- Cream-based or oil-based cleanser
- Exfoliate with chemicals
The moment people hear the word ‘chemicals’ in skincare, they freak out. The truth is that there are ‘bad chemicals’ and ‘good chemicals’. In the case of exfoliants, a chemical exfoliant is much better for the skin than a physical scrub. If you already have damaged skin, physical exfoliants with gritty particles like fruit seed and shell components can cause more harm than good. While a chemical exfoliant with salicylic acid, alpha-hydroxy acids, and retinoids. Exfoliating your skin opens up the pores and removes whatever is clogging your pores. Clean pores look much smaller than clogged pores.
- Hydrate inside and out
A common misconception that most people have is that moisturising is unnecessary if you have oily skin. Regardless of what type of skin you have, moisturizing is crucial. The key lies in choosing the right kind of moisturiser for your face. Not moisturizing will lead to dry skin. In order to make up for the lack of moisture, the skin produces more sebum which might lead to oily skin, acne, and enormous pores. Also, drink enough water. We know it’s been said a hundred times but it actually helps.
- Sunscreen is a must
Sun-damaged skin loses elasticity very quickly. Loss of elasticity leads to dull and sallow skin pores. If you do not want to look ten years older than your actual age, we suggest using sunblock or sunscreen every day. Not only will this help keep your skin looking young but it also protects you from serious issues like skin cancer.
- Eat healthy
When we talk about ‘Eating healthy’, we don’t mean cutting out all the food that brings you joy and surviving on salads. We would never ask you to go through that. The key to clean eating is in balance. Reduce junk food and load up on food with high water content, nutritional value, and antioxidants. If there are any food items that trigger your acne, we suggest staying away from them.
Quick fixes– Home remedies for pores on the face!
The above-mentioned steps take some time to show some effects. If you are impatient and need some quick remedies for pores on the face, we’ve got you. These tips will help minimise the size of your pores temporarily without causing any real damage to your skin.
- Clay mask- A clay mask is a miracle that can transform dull and lifeless skin into a fresh face. You can either use a store-bought clay mask or make one yourself by mixing clay-like Multani mitti or bentonite clay with rose water/toner.
- Use a primer- One of the best ways to hide pores is through a pore-minimising primer. This helps minimise the appearance of pores and help your makeup stay longer. We suggest not using it every day as there are possibilities it can clog your pores if used too often. Use this hack for special occasions.
- Smoothening foundation- While matte foundations might sound like a good idea for skin with enlarged pores, it might settle into your pores. We suggest using a semi-luminous foundation with a smoothening effect which will blur out the pores. We suggest using a sponge in a dab motion while applying foundation and finishing it off with a buffing brush for that airbrushed look.
- Powder up- A finishing touch with some setting powder after the above steps will ensure that your pores will remain barely visible for a few hours at least.
We suggest that you follow the skincare regime at least for a month to see visible results. But it is important to know that at the end of the day, the only person who notices your enlarged pores is probably only you. If your skin is too stubborn and you can’t minimise the pores despite everything, we suggest you embrace it. After all, having normal skin isn’t the worst thing in the world.
Do you have any tried and tested methods that helped reduce the pores on your face? Let us know!
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