We all want flawless, satiny skin. Unfortunately, large pores can stand in the way of a smooth, clear complexion. Oily skin is especially susceptible to enlarged pores. If you’re concerned about your pore size, know that there are multiple factors involved. Genetics determines your type of skin, but oiliness, aging, and dirt all affect the size of your pores. While you cannot change your genetics, there is much you can do to minimize the appearance of enlarged pores.
Before learning how to naturally shrink pores, let's first understand exactly what pores are and how they work. The average adult has 5 million pores. About 20,000 are on the face. The dots that are visible on your skin’s surface are actually the openings of hair follicles.
Each of those follicles contains a sebaceous gland that produces your skin’s oils. When these pores are clogged with oil, products, dead skin cells, debris, etc., a blackhead or whitehead may form. When bacteria is present, the skin becomes inflamed, usually resulting in a pimple.
Your genetics (skin type) is the key factor in how visible your pores are—dry skin can appear poreless, and oily skin tends to have more visible pores. However, there are other factors that contribute to pore size.
For example, pores enlarge if they are clogged, and they may also widen due to the natural process of collagen loss as we age. UV rays can make pores look bigger because they weaken the collagen that supports them. And picking and/or squeezing a pimple may widen a pore permanently.
Even though your pore size is largely genetically determined, do not fret if you have enlarged pores. There are ways to naturally shrink or diminish their appearance. Even better, there are plenty of healthy, natural approaches to reducing pore size, which means you can easily avoid harsh treatments and the breakouts that often follow.
The following are some remedies to reduce pores naturally:
The best protocol for minimizing pore size is to use products that combine the most effective active ingredients to clear pores and shrink them as much as possible. The following are natural pore-minimizing products to help make pores look smaller naturally:
People have used the earth for centuries to deep-cleanse the skin. Clays are used to remove excess dirt, oil, and impurities from the skin while improving skin appearance. The Essential Earth Elements Skin Cleanser utilizes a rich combination of Earth minerals known for their skin-enhancement properties, as well as providing subtle physical exfoliation. The consistent removal of dead surface cells leads to a healthy, glowing complexion as well as smaller pores.
It is often used as a leave-on treatment after cleansing, as it easily disappears when massaged into clean skin. It can also be used as a gentle mask up to several times a week to intensely smooth skin and remove excess dirt, oil, and impurities.
The premier exfoliation product is Green Tea Scruff Exfoliating Cleanser. This product has it all for smooth skin and clear pores. Its ingredient list is a stellar combination of fruit acids, salicylic acid, vitamins, soothing and antibacterial honey, antioxidants, botanical oils, and moisturizers that leave skin clear, clean, soft, and smooth. Its physical exfoliation component is aluminum oxide crystals that are the same micro-size crystals used by aestheticians during expensive microdermabrasion procedures.
This product helps balance skin tone and diminishes fine lines, wrinkles, and hyperpigmention. It is an essential for oily skin that tends to become thickened and coarse, especially deeper toned complexions, as it helps clear pores and removes the surface layers for a more satiny surface with regular use. It is not for ultra-sensitive skin and the only caveat is to massage it in gently without harsh rubbing, letting the ingredients and crystals do their work.
Alpha hydroxy (AHA) and beta hydroxy (BHA) acids are superstars for clear, smooth, and glowing skin. Derived from various fruits and plants, AHA and BHA tonics, serums, and creams remove blockages from pores. Taking off the top layer of dead skin cells and sebum allows dirt to escape, reducing the appearance of your pores and preventing clogging that leads to blemishes. As skin ages, it becomes dull due to the accumulation of dead surface cells, and it is the process of exfoliation that removes these impurities to give skin a more youthful glow.
For this reason, ALL of the Abbey tonics contain AHA fruit acids to gently exfoliate and clear skin on a daily basis. For blemished skin, our Comfrey Tonic is a natural astringent for distressed skin. It contains BHA salicylic acid to reach deep into pores. With comfrey—used for centuries on skin and known as “ bone heal”—along with BHA salicylic acid, Vitamin C, and alpha hydroxy acids, this tonic cleans and clears skin without leaving it dry or tight. This BHA tonic is ideal after exercising or any other physical activity where sweat clogs pores on shoulders, chest, or back. It also makes an excellent aftershave to smooth shave bumps.
Complete the treatment with our Vitamin B Complex Creme, an oil-free salicylic acid cream for distressed skin anywhere on the body. It helps with oily skin, acne, blemishes, and shave bumps.
Thick balms and natural products such as coconut oil tend to be too much for the skin and can make clogged pores worse, spawning breakouts. Non-comedogenic products, however, are specifically formulated to support open, clear pores. ALL of the Abbey products are formulated to be non-comedogenic.
People often equate facial oils with clogged pores. This is misleading, as quality botanical oils are non-comedogenic skin wonders. Natural facial oils such as rosehip oil, buckthorn oil, and jojoba oil are safe for acne-prone skin and and can calm a distressed complexion. Our Rosehip Serum is a light, antioxidant oil that is gentle on the skin without being greasy. This serum is particularly effective for temporarily diminishing stubborn discoloration under the eyes, and for smoothing lines that form around the eyes and lips.
Another wonderful all-natural beauty oil to try is Botanical Oil #1: Heule de Beaute. This powerful combination of skin magic oils includes marula, argan, evening primrose, rosehip, frankincense, and sea buckthorn berry. It won’t clog pores, and is incredibly kind and gentle to your skin.
Tea tree oil helps prevent the excess build up of unwanted oils and infections. Studies have shown tea tree natural essential oil to be as or more effective for treating blemished skin as benzoyl peroxide, without the scaling, redness, itching side effects.
Our Tea Tree Cleansing Gel reduces oil and leaves skin clean and soft with no burning sensation or irritating dryness. Containing both fruit source AHA and BHA salicylic acids, pores are deeply cleansed and visibly reduced in size. This cleansing gel is formulated for the treatment of oily and/or troubled skin, and you can use it anywhere on your body.
Massage deeply into skin to maximize its power. It is equally as effective as a body wash following exercise where sweat can clog pores and cause breakouts on the chest or back. And remember to always use a face cloth to remove cleansers to increase exfoliating effects and reach deep into pores.
By following the above suggestions, you can effectively reduce pores naturally. Abbey St. Clare combines science and nature to create products that promote health as well as beauty. We provide the best natural skin care products to achieve a healthy glow and stop clogged pores in their tracks.
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