It’s not a secret that large, open pores cause a lot of discomfort, both in aesthetic and hygienic senses. Let’s talk about how high sebum excretion, increased hair follicle volume, and decreased skin elasticity can affect pore growth and what are the best skincare tips to treat pory skin and ensure its proper cleansing.
What factors cause pores to enlarge?
High sebum excretion
Sebum is produced by sebaceous glands that lie in the second layer of skin – the dermis. They contain tiny filaments that direct sebum flow to the skin surface through pores for moisturizing. Sebum overproduction leads to sebaceous filaments filling up. They grow in size, become visible, and expand the pores in diameter. Skin becomes oily and greasy and resembles crater-like enlarged pores. Combined with dead skin cells, uncleansed makeup and environmental dirt, excess sebum can form a plug inside the pore, causing inflammation and leading to acne breakouts.
Poor skin hygiene
Makeup should be removed each night carefully until the cotton pad is clean. The shower should be taken regularly, especially after you have a sweaty activity. Otherwise, pores get clogged, and the dirt and toxins stored in them will not only widen the pores but cause inflammation.
Wrong skincare routine
Finding and sticking to a skincare regimen responding to your skin type is crucial. Cosmetic products for oily skin can over-dry normal skin and cause the pores to open up that leads to blackheads. Over-exfoliating oily skin can increase serum production as the skin will be trying to rebuild its protective barrier, so the pores may appear even larger.
Decreased skin elasticity
With age, collagen and elastin synthesis in the body decreases. Production of new skin cells slows down as well. Tissues around follicles get less structural support, and the dermis becomes thinner. As a result, skin loses its tone and gets less resilient and firm. It starts stretching and sagging, and the pores appear more prominent.
Extensive sun exposure
Excessive UV rays reduce the level of collagen and dehydrate your skin, and cause it to sag and stretch the pore opening.
Increased hair follicle volume
Hair follicles are located under pores. In fact, pores are the openings of hair follicles, with the hair shaft growing down further through the layers of skin. So naturally, the size of hair follicles affects the volume of pores. Hair follicles are regulated by androgens. The more active they are, the bigger hair follicles and, accordingly, the pores can grow.
What's the best way to treat enlarged pores?
Treatment depends on the individual case. A person should consult the dermatologist first. Among the most common recommendations for taking care of enlarged pores are:
Topical retinoids contained in creams, serums, and emulsions. This ingredient is used to reverse collagen production slowdown. It exfoliates your skin and helps to unclog pores, making them look tighter.
Hyaluronic Acid moisturizers. They help to restore water balance within the skin, and refresh and plump it. A glowing and smooth general skin appearance makes pores less defined and visible.
Niacinamide can naturally reduce pore size over time as it absorbs oil from the skin surface and reduces the overproduction of sebum.
Gentle no-traumatic scrubs should be done one-two times per week to free up your skin off dead cells and dirt, which helps to temporarily minimize pore appearance.
Wearing sunscreen is crucial for each skin type, especially for porous one. Sunscreen should be no less than 30 (and better 50) SPF and re-applied each two-three hours as you stay outdoors. If you are going to wear makeup, apply sunscreen first.