HOW TO MINIMISE PORES

How to Minimise My Pores

Pores – can’t live with ‘em, can’t live without ‘em – literally. Pores are essential to maintaining healthy skin function and although you can’t get rid of them for good, you can minimise their appearance.

Like many skin characteristics, genetics play a huge role in determining the size of your pores, but it’s pollutants and skin type that contribute to them becoming enlarged and clogged. If you have oily skin your pores will likely be more visible than those with dry skin thanks to active oil glands (this is also why pores typically make an appearance along the T-zone), pair that with dirt, dead skin and even sun exposure and the pore becomes blocked and dilated before oxidising and forming into a blackhead.

Another factor is age. Yep, the older you get the less collagen your skin produces causing pores to become dilated due to a decline in elasticity. Oh and did we mention gender? Men are said to have higher sebum production and larger pore size due to an increase in testosterone.

But, it’s not all bad news. By reducing excess oil, buffing away dead skin cells and stimulating collagen production to support the size and structure of the pore, they’ll look clear and tight.

Gone are the days of gunk-sucking pore strips, harsh scrubs and cement-like clay masks that promise to act like a vacuum for your face. Instead, a solid skincare routine with pore-purifying ingredients and blurring and tightening technology can help with both immediate and long-term results.

Alpha and Beta Hydroxy Acids are your best weapon of choice when it comes to unclogging and shrinking pores – you can find them in Pore Relation. While both acids exfoliate on a cellular level, AHAs work to resurface and shed dead skin cells, stimulating collagen production for softer, smoother and more radiant skin. BHAs on the other hand – and in particular salicylic acid, can penetrate deep inside the pore and dissolve dirt and oil (goodbye blackheads), while reducing it to its standard shape and size.

What are the Best Ingredients to Fight Pores?

Alpha and Beta Hydroxy Acids are your best weapon of choice when it comes to unclogging and shrinking pores – you can find them in Pore Relation. While both acids exfoliate on a cellular level, AHAs work to resurface and shed dead skin cells, stimulating collagen production for softer, smoother and more radiant skin. BHAs on the other hand – and in particular salicylic acid, can penetrate deep inside the pore and dissolve dirt and oil (goodbye blackheads), while reducing it to its standard shape and size.

Holy Grail ingredients Vitamins B3 and A (AKA Niacinamide and Retinol) are also key players in your pore-proofing arsenal. Niacinamide can help to visibly reduce and tighten the appearance of pores, while improving overall texture. Retinol is a powerhouse at speeding up cell turnover and collagen production, as well as unclogging pores.

Although your complexion won’t become poreless overnight, you can camouflage their appearance with a refining formula like Smooth Criminal, designed to minimise pores with help from a natural sugar polymer that tightens and smooths skin immediately and over time. The unique formula blends the power of Fruits AHAs at an entry level (well suited for new comers to active skincare or sensitive skin) with a potent yet gentle cocktail of 3 fruit enzymes (papaya, pomegranate and pineapple) that work to resurface and smooth skin’s imperfections for that poreless appearance you’ve been looking for!

Finally, Ultrasonic cleansing devices that work to deep clean can work to unclog pores and minimise their appearance are a great option in your tool kit for daily management. Check out Clean Freak High Frequency Sonic Vibration Device for Deep Cleansing to learn more…