Skincare and makeup lovers know the struggle of dealing with visible pores and trying to find any remedy to reduce them. It’s ingrained in the beauty culture that pores should be nonexistent, resulting in hundreds of lotions, primers, and foundations formulated specifically for this purpose. Unfortunately, there’s no permanent solution to this problem.
But wait, how could we NOT spend another weekly allowance on something that promises to shrink our pores?
I know the feeling of looking in the mirror and seeing things that didn’t seem to be there before or taking a close-up picture and wondering if that’s what skin is supposed to look like all the time. You might have heard before that showering with hot water opens up your pores, so you swear to never do it again. Oh, and last week you saw a new product at the drugstore that says it’ll make them disappear, so why not try it?
Bad news: that won’t work. Essentially, pores are what make it possible for your skin to breathe. Through them, your body expels sweat, oil, and dirt that couldn’t be let out otherwise. We have pores all over our bodies, but they may be a little more prominent in areas like the t-zone, where we tend to produce more oil.
Over time, these pores can become “loose” and appear larger than before due to a multitude of reasons like congestion, sun damage, acne, genetics, or just by aging. All these factors can cause the collagen in your skin to become weaker, which makes it harder for your pores to pop back into shape after they have expanded.
If you’re already taking care of your skin correctly by cleansing your face at least once a day, moisturizing, and applying sunscreen, you have nothing to worry about. Don’t bother splashing your face a hundred times with cold water expecting to see a difference, or spending ridiculous amounts of money on drugstore gimmicks that could cause even more damage. Focus on keeping your skin clean and healthy instead, and you’re bound to see a positive difference.
One way to keep your skin healthy is by paying attention to clogged pores. To deal with this common problem, Dr. Melissa Kanchanapoomi Levin, an NYC-based dermatologist, recommended for Harper’s Bazaar to look for products with AHA and BHA acids, like glycolic and salicylic. You can find these ingredients in many cleansers, exfoliators, and serums on the market from trusted and affordable brands like CeraVe’s Renewing SA Cleanser, The Ordinary’s AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution, and The Inkey List’s Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA) Blemish + Blackhead Serum. Paired with a good moisturizer, these can keep your skin from producing excess oils, which can clog your pores along with dirt and sweat.
Lastly, always wear sunscreen. There is no better way to take care of your skin than by protecting it from sun damage, which speeds up your skin’s aging process. Even then, know that your skin and body are bound to change naturally as you age, and there’s nothing to be ashamed of. It’s important to remember that everyone’s skin is different, so visit your dermatologist if you have specific skin concerns you’d like to receive professional advice on!
Inspired by https://www.harpersbazaar.com/beauty/skin-care/a33658356/do-pores-open-and-close/