Large pores can look unsightly, causing you to feel less confident about your skin. Fortunately, there are several ways you can close large pores and reduce their size – from practicing good skin care, to getting laser treatments, to trying home remedies. Start with Step 1 below to find out more about how to deal with large pores.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Using Home Treatments
Step 1. Use ice
Rubbing an ice cube on the pores for 10-15 seconds can help tighten the skin and close the pores, making them appear smaller.
Step 2. Use baking soda
Make a paste of one tablespoon of baking soda and a little water.
- Apply this paste to the problem areas and let it dry for 5-10 minutes before rinsing off with warm water.
- This can help minimize the appearance and size of pores, while also helping fight acne.
Step 3. Make an egg white mask
Egg white masks are believed to tighten pores, making them appear smaller.
- Mix 2 raw egg whites with 1/4 cup fresh orange juice (your own, pure). Apply this mask on your face and leave it on for 15 minutes before rinsing it off with warm water.
- The orange juice here will help brighten your skin.
Method 2 of 4: Get in the habit of Proper Skin Care
Step 1. Keep your face clean
Pores will appear larger and more clearly visible when clogged with dirt and oil. Therefore, it is important to keep your face clean to minimize the amount of dirt and oil on the skin's surface.
- Wash your face once in the morning and once in the evening. Washing more than this can make your skin dry and irritated, making pores appear larger.
- Wash your face with a gentle cleanser (without sulfates) and use warm, not hot water. Just gently pat your face (don't rub) with a soft clean towel to dry it after washing your face.
Step 2. Exfoliate
Exfoliating or exfoliating helps remove dead skin cells, which if not cleaned will mix with dirt and oil on the surface of your skin and cause clogged pores.
- You should exfoliate your skin several times a week using a gentle scrub with fine particles. Scrubs with larger exfoliating particles can be too harsh on the skin, causing scratching and micro-tears from the skin.
- Another way is to use a clean towel or washcloth to gently rub your face in small circular motions. Or you can make a homemade natural facial scrub at home from ingredients you can pick up from your kitchen.
- If you can afford it, consider investing in a motorized cleaning brush, such as the Clarisonic, which also exfoliates the skin while cleaning, and is said to be twice as effective as washing your face by hand.
- You can also use chemical exfoliants, such as alpha or beta hydroxy acids, which can dissolve dead skin cells. Chemical exfoliants are actually gentler and more effective, especially BHA.
Step 3. Use a non-comedogenic facial moisturizer
Moisturizer is very important for skin health. Moisturizers also prevent dry skin, which can make pores appear larger.
- When buying a moisturizer, look for one that is labeled "non-comedogenic" which means it won't clog your pores.
- If you tend to have sensitive skin, you should stay away from moisturizers that contain dyes or fragrances as these can cause irritation.
- If your skin is oily, you may also need a moisturizer that can control oil production.
Step 4. Use a steam treatment
Steam treatments are excellent for minimizing the appearance of pores. This is because the hot steam will open the pores and allow dirt or oil that clogs out.
- To perform a steam treatment, bring the water to a boil and pour it into a heatproof bowl or container. Add a few drops of tea tree oil if you have acne-prone skin.
- Bring your face close to the bowl and place a towel over your head. Let the steam hit your face for about 10 minutes.
- When you're done, rinse your face with cold water to wash away excess oil and dirt from your face and help close your pores.
Step 5. Put on a mud mask
Mud masks can help minimize the appearance of pores by drawing out clogged dirt, oil and dead skin.
- There are mud masks made from bentonite clay, Fuller's Earth, kaolin, and others. Each of these materials has a different level of absorption and mineral content. So, choose the one that is most appropriate for you. You can also consult this with a beautician.
- Purchase a mud mask at your local pharmacy or beauty store, or make your own by mixing one tablespoon of bentonite powder, one tablespoon of oatmeal and one tablespoon of water.
- Wash your face thoroughly, then apply the mask on your face and let it sit for about 10-15 minutes to dry, until your face feels stiff under the mask.
- Do not let this mask harden as it can dry out the skin too much. Wash off the mud mask with warm water, then pat your face dry. Repeat once a week.
Step 6. Wear sunscreen every day
Many people don't realize this, but UV rays from the sun damage the collagen that supports the skin's structure. Without this collagen the pores can stretch, which makes them look bigger.
- You can prevent that from happening by wearing sunscreen every day. You can buy many daily moisturizers that contain SPF, so this shouldn't be difficult.
- When you spend a lot of time outdoors, you should also wear a hat and sunglasses to provide extra protection from the sun's rays.
Step 7. Do not pick or squeeze blackheads and pimples
Trying to get rid of blackheads by squeezing or picking them is a bad idea. If you do it wrong, you can damage your pores and make them look bigger.
- Picking blackheads can also carry bacteria from your fingers and nails, making blackheads turn into pimples.
- If you must remove blackheads, use a sterilized comedone extractor, which you can buy online or at a pharmacy.
- Be sure to buy a quality toner, such as witch hazel. You can buy this product at a local beauty shop. Toner is useful for making sure your pores are really clean before closing them. Regular use of toner every day will also benefit the size of the pores.
Step 8. Take care of yourself
Pay attention to your health because it can greatly affect the condition of the skin. Drink plenty of water, have a balanced diet, and exercise regularly to help your body flush out toxins and keep your skin healthy and bright.
- Some people even claim that drinking more water can make the skin glow and reduce acne. True or not, drinking water can't hurt. Try to drink at least 8 glasses of water every day.
- Some types of food are more beneficial for skin health than others. If your skin is oily and prone to breakouts, avoid nutrient-dense and high-fat foods. Eat fresh foods such as fruits and vegetables and whole grains.
- Remember that skin type is inherited by families (passed down from parents). So, if your skin is oily with large pores, you may not be able to completely remove them.
Method 3 of 4: Using Skin Care
Step 1. Use a product that contains retinol
Retinol is a vitamin A derivative that is widely used in anti-aging and anti-acne products.
- Retinol increases the rate of cell regeneration which helps to open clogged pores and make them appear smaller.
- Retinol can only be obtained with a prescription, so you will need to see a doctor or dermatologist before taking this treatment.
Step 2. Perform laser treatment
Laser treatment provides a more permanent solution for large pores.
- Non-abrasive laser treatments, such as Medlite, Genesis, and Fraxel, increase collagen production thereby tightening pores and making them appear smaller.
- The main drawback of laser treatment lies in cost. You may need 2-3 sessions, costing around IDR 5,000,000 one time.
Step 3. Ask for a prescription for Accutane
Accutane is a medication for severe acne that can be obtained with a prescription.
- This is the only treatment that will physically shrink pores, not make them "look" smaller.
- However, Accutane is a strong drug that can cause severe skin dryness. The pores are also likely to return to their original size when the treatment ends.
Method 4 of 4: Concealing Pores
Step 1. Apply make-up
Instead of trying to shrink the pores, you can just try to cover them by using concealer, foundation, and powder. This is an effective temporary solution, which can help you feel more confident about the appearance of your skin.
- Choose a concealer and foundation that perfectly matches your skin tone, as this will help make up look more natural. Choose makeup that is matte (non-greasy, does not cause gloss) if your skin tends to be oily and choose makeup that is at the same time moisturizing if your skin tends to be dry.
- Apply makeup thinly and evenly using a sponge or brush. Don't apply too much, as this will only draw more attention to the area you're trying to hide. Be sure to wash your makeup brushes or sponges regularly, to avoid bacteria buildup.
- Make sure to thoroughly remove make-up at night. Leaving make-up on your skin will clog your pores, making them look worse.
Step 2. Use a facial primer
Applying a primer under makeup is the best way to make your skin look smooth and flawless.
- A good primer (preferably silicone based) will temporarily fill in pores without clogging them.
- This will provide a flat and smooth surface for makeup and make your pores almost invisible.
Step 3. Use facial oil paper
Patting the parchment paper on your face will remove excess oil throughout the day, reducing the size of your pores without drying out your skin.
You can buy this paper at beauty stores, pharmacies, or online stores
Tips
- You can buy special facial papers that can absorb oil and help narrow pores. This facial oil paper is easy to get and the price is cheap.
- Use toner. Applying toner on the skin after cleansing will help tighten the pores further. Make sure to use a toner that is formulated for oily skin because this type of product contains special ingredients in it that help tighten pores.
