5 Ways to Make Your Pores Smaller

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We all have pores, but how much time you spend "poring" over them probably depends on their size. With constant exposure to pictures of airbrushed celebs, its hard not to get a little obsessive over pore size and there are certainly plenty of products out there promising to minimize or reduce large pores. Let's take a closer look at how these products work and what you can do to help get control of your pores.  Can you shrink pores?  No, you can't shrink them, open them or close them. When it comes to pore-control products you'll see that they claim to reduce the appearance of large pores (not actually make pores smaller). That may sound like a subtle distinction but it's really not. There's not much you can do to physically make your pores smaller, but you can avoid making them look larger.  What makes pores look large?  Dirt - Pores get clogged with skin debris, makeup and dirt from the environment.  Oil - Excessive oil can keep pores filled with a layer of oil that accentuates their appearance.  Bacterial Growth - Contributes to blackhead growth, which makes pores look big.  Sun Exposure - Can thicken the skin cells around the edge of pores, making them appear larger.  Genetics - Determines your skin type and if you`re born with oily, thicker skin your pores will probably be more noticeable.  What can you do to make pores appear smaller?  Wash Your Face - Removes pore-clogging dirt.  Exfoliate - Try pore-minimizing scrubs or cleansers. They usually contain salicylic acid and/or beads to better break up excess oil, dirt and bacteria that can clog pores.  Use Pore Strips - Pore strips can remove pore clogging dirt Just be careful to use as directed and only once or twice a week. Excessive use of pore strips can be irritating.  Minimize Sun Exposure - Sun can exaggerate pores, so be sure to wear sunscreen if you are going to be outside.  Absorb Oil - Try oil-absorbing makeup and/or blotting sheets to keep excess oil under control.  There is not much you can do about the size of your pores but there are steps you can take to keep pores from looking plump. A good skin care regimen involving cleansing and exfoliating, along with sun protection, can keep skin looking its best.

We all have pores, but how much time you spend "poring" over them probably depends on their size. With constant exposure to pictures of airbrushed celebs, its hard not to get a little obsessive over pore size and there are certainly plenty of products out there promising to minimize or reduce large pores. Let's take a closer look at how these products work and what you can do to help get control of your pores. 

Can you shrink pores? 

No, you can't shrink them, open them or close them. When it comes to pore-control products you'll see that they claim to reduce the appearance of large pores (not actually make pores smaller). That may sound like a subtle distinction but it's really not. There's not much you can do to physically make your pores smaller, but you can avoid making them look larger. 

What makes pores look large? 

• Dirt - Pores get clogged with skin debris, makeup and dirt from the environment. 
• Oil - Excessive oil can keep pores filled with a layer of oil that accentuates their appearance. 
• Bacterial Growth - Contributes to blackhead growth, which makes pores look big. 
• Sun Exposure - Can thicken the skin cells around the edge of pores, making them appear larger. 
• Genetics - Determines your skin type and if you`re born with oily, thicker skin your pores will probably be more noticeable. 

What can you do to make pores appear smaller? 

1. Wash Your Face - Removes pore-clogging dirt. 
2. Exfoliate - Try pore-minimizing scrubs or cleansers. They usually contain salicylic acid and/or beads to better break up excess oil, dirt and bacteria that can clog pores. 
3. Use Pore Strips - Pore strips can remove pore clogging dirt Just be careful to use as directed and only once or twice a week. Excessive use of pore strips can be irritating. 
4. Minimize Sun Exposure - Sun can exaggerate pores, so be sure to wear sunscreen if you are going to be outside. 
5. Absorb Oil - Try oil-absorbing makeup and/or blotting sheets to keep excess oil under control. 

There is not much you can do about the size of your pores but there are steps you can take to keep pores from looking plump. A good skin care regimen involving cleansing and exfoliating, along with sun protection, can keep skin looking its best. 

Posted in: Skin Care