Because enlarged pores in adult life can be just as infuriating as fine lines, wrinkles, discolorations and a drooping jawline. Maybe even more so…
Do you often tear your hair out wondering why nobody else has massive, in-your-face facial pores like you? Well, the answer is a) yours probably aren’t as big as you think they are, and b) most people think the exact same thing about their skin. The difference is that while your eyes can’t help but zone in on your own perceived ‘imperfections,’ others see you in a much different light – and from a much greater distance!
The moral of this story is to avoid focusing on the bad stuff and instead think about everything that is good about your skin and body. Sure, your pores might be a little on the larger side but it’s not the end of the world. And girl, may we say, your hair/eyelashes/legs/booty (highlight as you wish) are pretty darn awesome.
All that being said, a lot can be done to help improve enlarged pores in your adult years. Because they don’t magically disappear as you get older. In fact, aging skin can often make them appear even larger. Here’s what we know…
1. Remember this: your pores are extremely important and work super hard to keep your skin healthy and moisturized. So give them a break.
2. Your skin actually has two different types of pores: oil pores and sweat pores. Oil pores are the ones you can see and they contain sebaceous (oil-producing) glands as well as a hair follicle. They function like tiny openings in your skin that release oil to lubricate the surface and keep your skin soft, supple and healthy.
Sweat pores, on the other hand, are much smaller. In fact, they’re so small you can’t really see them. They release sweat (no surprises there!) from sudoriferous glands to help regulate your body temperature.
Because they’re not really visible to the naked eye, sweat glands aren’t a concern when it comes to the appearance of your skin. Those pesky oil pores are the real culprits.
3. Most oil pores are found on your face, chest, back and groin which is why these areas of your body are often oilier than the rest of your skin. Why are some people’s pores seemingly larger and produce more sebum than others? Mainly genetics.
4. Know this: pores do not grow and shrink. Their walls can stretch and expand. But you cannot change their size. There, we said it.
5. Pores are great for going about their business and maintaining a healthy barrier function. Until they’re not. Problems arise when your hormones go out of whack during times like pregnancy, menstruation and the menopause. These hormonal imbalances cause your sebaceous glands to go into overdrive, producing way too much sebum than your skin really needs. Cue excess sebum getting clogged in your pores which forces them to expand. When this overload of oil combines with dirt, dead skin cells and other gunk things go awry and skin issues like bumps, pimples, blackheads and full-blown acne become a real thing.
Did You Know? Interestingly your pores will probably appear larger in summer than in the winter months as humidity increases and more oil gets trapped in your pores.
6. Another factor to think about? Collagen. Collagen is one of the main building blocks for healthy skin but as you get older, you start to lose collagen at a rate of about 1 percent every year. This makes your skin become weaker, more fragile and less elastic which all adds up to less firmness in your skin (aka sagging) and consequently larger-looking pores.
7. Of course, collagen loss is inevitable as time ticks by, but there are many other external factors at play that affect the rate at which collagen packs its bags and says goodbye. In most people’s cases the biggest offender is the sun which plays havoc with your skin’s support system, accelerating nasty free radicals and the inevitable harm they cause to your skin’s essential proteins. Answer? Protect your skin every day of the year with free radical-quashing Vitamin C Facial Serum and finish your morning routine with SPF 30 Mineral Sunscreen.
8. Mature skin also turns over at a slower rate which means that dead skin cells are more likely to hang around at the surface of your skin, clogging up your pores, making them appear larger and, sigh, turning into the inevitable breakouts. This means regular exfoliation is essential to boost cell turnover and keep your pores clean and clear. Chemical exfoliating ingredients are fabulous for this and salicylic acid, in particular, is one of the best as it not only increases the rate at which your skin turns over, but it also cuts through excess oil to help balance and clarify your skin.
Try Tea Tree Super Serum+ two or three times a week which combines salicylic acid with skin-loving tea tree oil or give our fabulous new 6% AHA, BHA + PHA Liquid Exfoliant a go which is fast becoming a fan favorite!
9. A great cleansing routine is obviously one of the most important parts of your regime if you care about your pores – especially if you wear a lot of makeup. Cleanse your skin twice daily, morning and night, and don’t forget that exercising can make your skin super sweaty and oily, so it’s a good idea to cleanse after working out as well.
Harsh cleansing, however, can upset the balance of your skin so avoid chemical-laden formulations that strip your skin of sebum and send your sebaceous glands into meltdown. This is a sure-fire way to result in unbalanced, oily skin and then you’re back to square one again. Instead, stick with gentle formulations that avoid harsh parabens and sulfates, and cleanse with warm, never hot water. We love Charcoal Clarifying Cleanser which draws out pore-clogging debris from your skin to help detoxify and revitalize your complexion.
10. Finally, don’t forget the mighty retinol. A go-to for aging skin, retinol not only works hard to firm your skin and decrease the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, but its collagen-boosting abilities also plump your skin and minimize the appearance of your pores.
A great way to introduce retinol into your routine – because it can be pretty potent for some skin types – is with our Retinol Moisturizer which is chock full of hydrating and soothing ingredients to counteract the strength of this powerhouse skincare ingredient. Use it two or three times a week to begin with, then build up to nightly as your skin becomes acclimated. And of course, it’s always prudent to do a patch test first.
Finally, stick with non-comedogenic makeup (this means it’s less likely to block your pores) and throw away that magnifying mirror. Nobody needs that level of close-up in their lives.
