Pores don't open or close, so there's no way to shrink them. However, you can make it appear smaller. Pores are difficult to see when the skin is healthy, but when they become clogged, they appear much larger. Read on to learn about four methods of making your pores look smaller which include exfoliating, applying face masks, special treatments and using pore-hiding make-up.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Exfoliate
Step 1. Use a make-up remover
The buildup of make-up is often the cause of clogged pores. The first step in the exfoliation process is removing make-up.
Try to find a natural makeup remover, if possible. The chemicals in many makeup removers can dry out your skin, causing it to flake and increasing the need for exfoliation
Step 2. Clean your face with warm water
No need to use a special facial cleanser to open clogged pores. In fact, soaps, perfumes and other ingredients in cleansers can actually worsen skin conditions by causing inflammation or inflammation.
- Make sure to use warm water, not hot water. Again, there's no need to make your skin red and inflamed, and it's not good for reducing the appearance of your pores.
- Pat your face dry with a soft towel. Do not rub it or you will damage it, because the skin on the face is more sensitive than the skin on the rest of the body:
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Dry face brush. Buy a small soft brush made from natural fibers, and use it to gently brush your face. The face and brush should both be dry. Use quick, short strokes to remove dead skin around the eyes, cheeks and chin.
Exfoliate Skin Step 1 -
Use an exfoliant or exfoliating device/product. Exfoliating or exfoliating the skin removes dead skin cells and oil that clogs your pores. Consider the following types of exfoliants, and choose one to use as often as needed.
Exfoliate Skin Step 10 -
Make your own facial scrub. Sugar, honey and green tea can be very beneficial for making your skin glow. These ingredients are gentle on the skin and do not cause inflammation.
Stop an Oily Face Step 8
Step 3. Moisturize
After you're done exfoliating, apply a light moisturizer or facial oil such as rose hip oil (the fruit of some types of rose plants). This moisturizer will keep your skin from drying out and irritated, and will help reduce the appearance of pores.
Method 2 of 4: Use a Mud Mask
Step 1. Start with a clean face
Using the cleansing method outlined above, remove your makeup, splash your face with warm water, and pat dry with a towel.
Step 2. Test your face mask on a small area
Apply the mask on a small area of your face. Leave it for a few minutes then wash it off. If you see redness or inflamed skin, don't wear a mask. If not, continue to the next step.
Step 3. Apply the mask
The mask draws dirt from your pores and reduces inflammation in the surrounding skin, thereby helping to make pores appear smaller.
- Mud masks are ideal for this purpose, but any natural face mask will work just as well. Try making your own mask with yogurt.
- Apply the mask on your face, and concentrate on the areas where the pores appear large.
- Leave the mask on the face for about fifteen minutes, or according to the time specified on the product packaging of your mask.
Step 4. Rinse off the mask
Use warm water to gently rinse off the mask. Pat your face dry with a soft towel. Your face will look fresh, with pores that appear smaller.
Method 3 of 4: Use Special Treatment
Step 1. Use alpha or beta hydroxy acids (AHA and BHA), which are known as chemical exfoliants
This product is available and you can buy at beauty stores, and it exfoliates the skin without you having to scrub it.
- Start with a clean face, apply the product on the face and leave it on for fifteen minutes, or the time specified on the package.
- Wash your face thoroughly and pat dry with a soft towel.
- Do not leave the product on your face for too long as it can cause irritation.
Step 2. Consider blackhead removal
Most beauty advice advises against actively removing blackheads, and shouldn't be done too often. But if the blackheads on your face look very obvious and excessive, it's okay to clean them occasionally.
- First, exfoliate the blackheads. Then use a sterile washcloth on the area. Squeeze the skin around the blackhead with a finger that has been lined with a clean tissue to prevent the spread of bacteria, and gently squeeze the blackhead until it comes out of the skin.
- Another alternative is to use a blackhead remover tool. Always make sure you wear mini-gloves or wrap around your fingers with a tissue to prevent the transfer of bacteria.
Step 3. Perform microdermabrasion or micro scraping of the skin
This professional treatment removes layers of skin for deeper exfoliation. These treatments are usually expensive and can damage your skin if done too often.
Method 4 of 4: Use Pore Concealing Makeup
Step 1. Start with a good moisturizer
Your skin needs to stay hydrated to prevent it from becoming irritated and inflamed, which makes your pores look bigger. The moisturizing layer also protects your skin from the skin-irritating chemicals found in other makeup products.
Step 2. Use a primer
This is the first layer of makeup you put on your skin after moisturizing. The primer will blend into your skin tone and refine your skin's texture, making pores appear smaller.
Step 3. Use a concealer or blemish cover
Concealers add another layer of color and texture to the skin and they can really cover the surface of your skin, depending on the brand you choose.
If your pores appear large, you may be tempted to apply heavy make-up. Concealer is quite effective in small doses, but using too much will actually draw more attention to the areas you want to hide
Step 4. Choose your brand of concealer wisely
Concealer can clog pores and make them appear larger. Make sure your concealer doesn't make things worse before you include it in your daily makeup routine.
Remove your make up every night. Make sure you clean it before going to bed so you wake up with unclogged pores
Tips
- Drink lots of water and eat lots of vegetables. Making healthy lifestyle choices for your skin will reduce the inflammation on your face.
- Always use natural products whenever possible. You risk damaging your skin by treating it with chemicals, even if the product is meant to exfoliate or open clogged pores.
Warning
- Don't rub your skin too hard while you're exfoliating. You can make the problem worse by inflaming your skin from brushing or scrubbing too hard.
- Don't go overboard in trying to get rid of blackheads. Pulling on the skin will increase the chances of the skin getting injured and leaving other scars that are actually more visible than large pores.
