Pores are small openings in the skin where natural oil from your body, otherwise known as sebum, is released to the surface. As we age, our pores tend to get bigger and in turn become more visible - with oily skin, genetics and sun damage being three other causes.
In fact, if you suffer from oily skin you'll probably be pretty familiar with your pores by now. You see, your skin produces excess sebum which causes the pores to become heavy and in turn, clogged. When this happens, dead skin cells build up on the surface of the skin, which leads to your pore increasing in size and ergo visibility.
If you suffer from enlarged pores, they can be the bane of your life (especially when faced with a magnifying mirror) and they can be a bit of a nightmare to deal with. But never worry, as although it's impossible to completely shrink them, with a helping hand from a few skincare saviours they can be managed, minimised and made to look far smaller.
Here's how to keep your pores at bay...
Slow down the sebumIf you suffer from oily skin and that's the reason behind your enlarged pores, then the key is slowing down the oil production. Clarins Pore Minimising Serum, £27, does just this. How? By reducing the appearance of dilated pores by working to refine the skin over time, for a flawless, smooth skin texture that's radiant and healthy.
Cleansing Cleansing your face religiously every morning and evening will help empty your pores, but it's imperative you don't use anything that's too harsh or exfoliating otherwise you'll end up stripping your skin of too much oil which will have the opposite effect. Simple Skincare is gentle yet effective and its Pore Minimising Toning Cleanser, £3.19, contains the perfect blend of ingredients to clarify and refresh your complexion while working to reduce the size of your pores.
Mask the issueTo help get rid of the sebum build up, use a deep cleansing face mask once a week. It'll help to lift the grime and dirt that may be stuck deep in your pores, ensuring they don't clog and in turn become larger. Ren's Clarimatte Invisible Pores Detox Mask, £19, purifies your complexion to draw out any impurities, leaving your skin smooth and refining pores. Alternatively, Soap & Glory The Fab Pore 2-in-1 Mask and Peel, £10, is a deep cleansing mask that's basically inventing for any gal that wants to see far less of her pores. It works like a hoover, if you will, to unclog pores and detoxifty your skin.
Conceal and primeWhile treating your pores with the likes of cleansers and face masks, you can also help make them less visible with a little help from a primer. Benefit's Porefessional Primer, £24.50, literally blurs the appearance of large pores, while perfectly prepping your skin for makeup.
The skin perfectorFace creams that work to refine your skin will in turn improve the size of your pores as it'll limit the amount of dead skin cells that build up and help to keep your pores minimised in the process. Kiehl's Micro-Blur Skin Perfector, £23, is a lightweight formula that pretty much instantly diminishes the appearance of pores, providing both a long-term and short-term solution.
