Our skin is the largest organ in our body, and it comes with an inbuilt ventilation system. These pores help remove excess oils and toxins from the body and keep us healthy. However, this simplistic cleansing model hits a roadblock when open pores come around.
Skincare experts too are wary of these issues because they know that these issues cannot be concealed even under multiple layers of makeup. It would require special skincare routines and regimens to treat this issue. Also known as enlarged pores, they don’t disappear unless you follow a dedicated skincare routine.
What are Open Pores?
These open pores work as the ventilation system for the skin. This also makes sense because as the body’s largest organ, it does need a dedicated regimen to stay free from toxins. There are two types of pores. One produces natural oils or sebum to moisten the skin, and the other produces sweat and toxins. Both of them are essential to keeping the skin healthy and younger.
All skin types come with open pores- the only difference could be their relative sizes. When these micro-openings get enlarged, they become unsightly and a constant cause of worry. Left untreated, they grow bigger in diameter and become darker.
Enlarged pores could make you appear dull and unattractive. This usually happens when skin cells get blocked with dirt, grime, bacteria, or dead skin cells. Especially for adults with acne-prone skin, the pores may trap more dust and grime. This could soon turn into blackheads or whiteheads. It may also reduce collagen synthesis, especially for people over thirty years of age.
What happens to the Skin Pores as we age?
The human skin undergoes shedding every 28-40 days, a process known as desquamation. This process runs in top shape until the age of thirty or so. Our skin cells work like autonomous units that work round the clock to drive out any toxins in our skin. They thus drive out excess oil (or sebum), dust, grime, and pollutants.
But with aging, this process slows down. This is because the pores fail to drive out excess toxins. So they expand to accommodate more and look larger or widened. These issues may intensify with seasonal changes, stress, pollution, inadequate nutrition, and less hydration. Irregular sleep patterns could make it just worse.
Note:
All the uncleaned dead skin cells and dust particles get trapped inside the pores and turn toxic over time. This may start affecting our physical appearance over time.
Collagen and Elastin
The human skin comprises two proteins- collagen and elastin. They provide rigidity and flexibility to the skin cells, and this helps us perform motor movements. Collagen and elastin are found in connective tissues and keep regenerating themselves regularly. It is best to have a nice balance between the two.
However, their production and quantity start reducing with age and other factors. This results in a drier and saggy appearance and worsens as the pores get further enlarged. The same effect may also be visible in young people with more exposure to the sun’s UV rays. In this case, they develop these issues due to burning the skin cells.
What are the Causes of Pores on Skin?
Age and prolonged exposure to the sun’s harmful UV rays are not just the causes you should stay cautious about. To understand how you may reduce pores on face, we recommend you also consider the following factors:
- Genetic Factor
Genetics is key in determining the size of open pores on face and other areas. So if your parents have enlarged pores, likely you’re going to have them too. Genes can cause open pores to increase and grow around the nose, cheeks, and forehead. We can’t do much about our genes, but changing your skincare routine may help by sloughing off dead skin cells. This would reduce the size of the pores.
- Increased Sebum Production
Skin pores have a sebaceous gland that produces sebum, natural oil to moisturize the skin cells. When sebaceous glands become overly active, they start producing excess oil. This leads to oiliness and acne.
The situation is pronounced in people with sensitive skin. This excess of moisturization may trap dirt, grime, and dead skin cells and cause acne, whiteheads, or blackheads. We recommend using a sulfate-free face wash (twice a day) and face scrub (once a week) to control the issues.
- Sun Damage
Humidity and exposure to the sun can alter collagen production in your skin, causing enlarged pores and wrinkles. Collagen is a protein that keeps the skin firm and healthy. Sun damage can also cause the skin to sag around the eyes due to inadequate hydration levels. It may also widen the normal pores on skin.
A toxin-free sunscreen with SPF 30 or more protection works best to repel the sun’s harmful rays off the skin. It would be better to opt for a sunscreen lotion containing SPF with PA+++ protection. You may try our Ultra Light Indian Sunscreen. It features Carrot Seed Oil, Trimeric, and SPF 50 PA+++ protection for the best experience.
- Loss of Skin Elasticity
Aging is inevitable but not treating it with care may cause many skincare issues. As we age, our skin cells start losing their natural ability to replace themselves, thus losing elasticity. This causes the open skin pores to become considerably more prominent and visible.
Tip
Vitamin C is a naturally-occurring nutrient that can accelerate collagen production and prevent enlarged pores. It is found in citrus fruits like oranges and strawberries and can be used to enhance collagen production in the skin cells naturally.
- Poor Skin Care Habits
When it comes to flawless skin, poor skin care habits play a key role. Not cleansing your face pores twice a day can lead to dust buildup, thus allowing your pores to appear more prominent. We thus recommend that you figure out your skin type and use the best-suited toxin-free skincare products.
- Using too many Makeup Products
Makeup may help cover open pores, but it can also be a sneaky way to open these micro-openings. Slathering on too many makeup products can block your pores and prevent the skin from breathing. It also attracts dirt and produces more sweat, which may result in pore-blocking.
How to Reduce Pores on Face?
Little tweaks in your everyday CTM routine can have a long way in removing pores from face. We recommend you start with basic skincare products like face washes, skin toners, and moisturizers to start your first cleaning schedule. Here is a plan suggested by our experts for the best face pores removal experience:
Step 1: Use a soap-free face wash
The main cause of enlarged pores is dust buildup. Dirt, grime, dead skin cells, and makeup from the previous day sit on the face all day. The only way to take off all the dust buildup from the skin is to wash your face with a mild, sulfate-free cleanser. A face cleanser or face works wonders in keeping the pores to their natural size.
Note
Opt for a toxin-free face wash that does not contain artificial fragrances, phthalates, parabens, and dyes.
Step 2: Use an alcohol-free toner
The debate about whether you should use a toner in your daily skincare routine is never-ending. But if you have enlarged pores or acne-prone skin, it’s better to use an alcohol-free face toner. It helps cleanses debris, tightens pores, hydrates, and improves the skin texture. If you used an alcohol-based toner, it would dry out the skin cells faster. This would make pores darker and worse.
Step 3: Moisturize with an oil-free formula to keep skin nourished
It’s a common myth that oily or acne-prone skin should not be moisturized as it will leave the pores blocked. Moisturization is an indispensable part of CTM, regardless of your skin type. You should use a lightweight, oil-free, non-comedogenic formulation after cleansing your skin with a toner. You can go for formulations integrated with retinol or hyaluronic acid, as they help open pores appear smoother.
Step 4: Don’t slack off your SPF
Let’s get to the basics- sunscreen should be a part of every skincare routine. SPF protects the skin cells from the sun’s UVA and UVB rays and can be worn under makeup. For oily skin, you can use a gel-based lightweight formula that gives you a matte finish after the makeup. SPF 30 provides 97% protection and is suggested by most dermatologists.
Skincare products you should use
The above regimen is all fine in principle. But there are other skincare products that you should use to minimize the appearance of enlarged pores. We are mentioning them next (and you can use them to achieve better results):
- Facial Masks
Apart from your daily routine, you may also want to include a face mask in your weekly regimen. Face masks that dry on the skin effectively minimize the appearance of open pores in face and eliminate blackheads. They draw out impurities from the pores and facilitate cell turnover rate, thus making por’es look smaller and your skin brighter.
- Exfoliate
Exfoliation helps eliminate the things that block the pores, including dust, grime, dead surface cells, and oil. There are two types of exfoliators- chemical and physical exfoliators. Face scrubs or physical exfoliators work best when used once or twice a week. Chemical exfoliators or peel-off masks can be used once a week.
- Steaming
A steamy facial cleansing can also help buff away impurities, making pores appear small and improving skin tone. In addition, you can use some essential oils to the steam to make your experience more pampering.
Mamaearth Skin Care Range for Treating Open Pores
Made with the Goodness of Nature, Mamaearth’s safe and gentle skincare range minimizes the appearance of enlarged pores. We are Asia’s first brand to be awarded Made Safe Certification for our toxin-free skincare products.
Here are some of our best products that you may opt for to reduce open pores and have an attractive appearance:
- Bye-Bye Open Pores Cream for Face
Crafted with ingredients like Niacinamide and Rosehip, this face cream for open pores quickly absorbs into the skin. It helps unclog pores, prevents blackheads and whiteheads, and minimizes enlarged pores. It also has Blue Lotus and Lentil that help enhance the skin’s texture and make it smoother.
- Niacin Face Toner
It is one of the best toner for open pores. This toner is formulated with Niacinamide and Witch Hazel. It removes toxic impurities and dust from the skin’s deepest layers, and helps you have radiant and glowing skin. Our toner helps tighten pores, reducing blemishes and dark spots.
- Green Tea Face Serum With Green Tea & Collagen
Nourished with Green Tea extracts, Black Oats, Rosehip, and Collagen, this serum targets open pores and saggy skin. It is a multi-tasker serum for open pores, which also helps in accelerating cell regeneration. Rich in antioxidants, it boosts skin elasticity and helps with signs of aging such as dark spots, hyperpigmentation, and blemishes.
- Green Tea Day Cream With Green Tea & Collagen
This Made Safe Certified face cream hydrates the skin, shields it against sun damage, and reduces small pores. It features nourishing agents like Green Tea, Collagen, Rosehip, and Niacinamide that help provide deep nourishment. As one of the best cream for open pores on face, it offers 24-hour intense hydration and enhances elasticity.
Takeaway
Open pores only become visible to the eyes when they get blocked with excess substances. These pores on nose, cheeks, and forehead also widen as your skin loses elasticity. To address small pores on face, it is important to cultivate a dedicated skincare routine accordingly. You should also keep yourself hydrated, avoid prolonged exposure to the sun, and eat fruits and vegetables.
While we all have open pores, some have bigger pores than others, leading to frequent bursts of acne, whiteheads, or blackheads. So, if you are wondering “how to close open pores on face permanently,” we recommend you opt for our allied skincare products like face gels, cleansers, and toners too.
FAQ
How to get rid of open pores on face?
You can reduce or shrink open pores by making some changes to your current skincare regimen. You should use a sulfate-free, gentle face cleanser twice a day to wipe away impurities, and follow it up with a non-alcoholic face toner. You should also exfoliate your face twice a week to remove hidden impurities. Ending your skincare routine with a non-comedogenic face moisturizer at night is also advisable.
What causes open pores on face?
Pores usually become enlarged when there is excess sebum production, so it starts to trap dust, grime, and dead skin cells. Other less common causes of enlarged pores include reduced elasticity, thick hair follicles, poor skincare habits, and excess use of makeup products. Genetics also holds a role in the appearance of enlarged pores.
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