How To Minimize Pores 12 Different Ways: 10 Proven Tips to Shrink pores

What determines your pore size?

Pores contain your hair follicles, sebaceous glands and sweat glands, which are all essential in maintaining your skin health. Pores are the openings that allow your skin’s natural oil to come up to its surface and provide lubrication. They also allow sweat to travel to your skin’s surface, preventing your body from overheating.

The appearance and actual size of your pores are determined by the following factors:

• Your genetics
• Your age, which makes your skin lose its elasticity over time and make your pores appear larger
• If you have an oily skin type, your pores may appear more noticeable than other skin types
• The amount of sun exposure you get
  
  

Can you actually shrink the size of your skin pores?

Despite what many natural remedies and skincare products claim, you can’t permanently alter your pores to reduce their actual size. But, you can do things to minimize their appearance and make them less noticeable.

How can you minimize the appearance of pores?

With a little change in your makeup and skincare routine, you may be able to make your skin pores appear smaller in size:

• Do not irritate your pores - You should never pick at your pores in an attempt to make them smaller. This will only further irritate your skin and make your pore swell up. While using scrubs and cleansers, go as gentle as you can to avoid irritation. Also, make sure to get into the habit of keeping your hands off your face unnecessarily.

• Stick to a cleansing routine - If you keep your pores clean, they will have less buildup in them and thus, your pores will end up looking smaller. To achieve this, it is best to follow a cleansing routine where you wash your face twice a day. While washing, use lukewarm water instead of hot water to avoid irritating your skin. Use a gentle cleanser like the Carmesi Foaming Face Wash for best results.

• Use sunscreen daily - The sun can leave your skin less firm, making your pores appear bigger. Apart from this, sun exposure can also give you dark spots and enhance the ageing process. This is why it is very important to apply sunscreen daily with a minimum of SPF 30, no matter what the weather is.

• Exfoliate your skin once a week - Oil, dead skin and dirt and build-up on your skin, blocking your pores. If your pores get clogged, you may get more acne and make your pores seem more obvious. It is important to exfoliate your skin with a gentle exfoliating agent like salicylic acid, glycolic acid or AHAs and BHAs to keep your pores fresh and minimized.

• Use a clay mask to clean your pores - Clay masks wick out all the oil and debris from your pores, giving them a thorough clean. Oil buildup can make your pores look up to 5 times larger than their original size, which is why taking the gunk out with a clay mask is an essential step in minimizing the appearance of your pores.

• Try retinoids in your skincare routine - Retinoids are known to boost your skin cell turnover, helping your pores to look smaller in size. Certain retinoids also help in shrinking the size of the oil glands, giving lasting results in pore minimization. Speak to a dermatologist to get a retinoid prescription that is fit for your skin.

• Go for a chemical peel - Chemical peels can help give you better and healthier skin by boosting skin regeneration. They can subsequently help with the appearance of pores while giving you healthy and glowing skin.

• Look for products that have glycolic acid in them - Glycolic acid works by dissolving the dead skin cells and absorbing excess oil from the skin. This will visibly shrink your pores and help with giving you a deep cleanse.

• Minimize the use of shimmery makeup - Shimmery makeup like illuminating bases and powder highlighters can make your pores look more obvious because of a spotlight effect. Try to limit shimmery makeup to the areas of your skin that have naturally smaller pores like the bridge of your nose, cheekbones and eyelids. This will draw the attention away to the smoother areas of your face, making your pores appear smaller.
  
  
• Do not do a cakey foundation routine - When you use too much foundation, it can settle around your pores making the opening look more prominent. Avoid layering up too many products to make your pores look smaller in size.