"Salicylic acid is oil soluble, meaning it's able to get inside pores to gently push out dead skin, bacteria, sebum, and any other pore-clogging debris." By removing that debris from your pores, your pores will appear smaller.
In-office glycolic or salicylic acid peels are also helpful for enlarged pores, blackheads and acne. More aggressive and long lasting treatments include a series of Clear + Brilliant Laser resurfacing treatments, which help increase collagen around the pore, thereby tightening it.
Some laser treatments such as Fraxel laser skin resurfacing can shrink pores permanently while also increasing collagen production. Fraxel uses fractional laser technology to penetrate beneath the skin's surface to eliminate damaged skin cells.
Lactic acid, red clover flower extract and ribose are three of the best ingredients to shrink large pores - and happen to be found in Eminence Organics proprietary Lactic Acid Complex.
The bad news is that pore size is genetically determined, so you can't actually shrink pores. However, some products and treatments can minimize the appearance of pores, but none of them are permanent solutions. Pore-minimizing products work by stimulating and plumping the collagen that surrounds pores.
It never hurts to keep in mind that you need your pores, even if you don't love how they look. They're a natural part of your skin, not a flaw. It can also help to come to terms with the fact that your genes play a role in their size. In other words, you can't make them smaller or get rid of them entirely.
Treat acne
Acne clogs your pores, which can make your pores more noticeable. Using a cleanser with salicylic acid may help. Studies show salicylic acid can unclog pores. Some cleansers containing salicylic acid are gentle enough to use every day.
Salicylic acid penetrates into your skin and works to dissolve the dead skin cells clogging your pores. It can take several weeks of use for you to see its full effect. Check with your dermatologist if you aren't seeing results after 6 weeks. Your skin is affected by more than what you put on it.
Alpha hydroxy acids like glycolic acid and lactic acid can have a retexturizing effect on the skin. Using products that contain these ingredients may help to reduce the appearance of enlarged pores by helping to sweep away dead skin cells, oil and other debris that has built up inside pores and on the skin's surface.
As we age and our skin loses its elasticity, it will often stretch or sag. This can cause pores to expand over time, making them more visible as we age. During hormonal periods, the overproduction of oil can make pores appear larger, when excess sebum collects on the skin's surface, magnifying these small openings.
Apply a facial pore cleanser with salicylic acid nightly. "It's a beta hydroxy acid that has increased solubility in oil and can travel deep within pores," Dr. Feely says. You can also talk to your dermatologist about a stronger in-office chemical peel to further clear out pores.
Specifically, "toners can help close pores and tighten cell gaps after cleansing, thus reducing the penetration of impurities and environmental contaminants into the skin. They also shrink pores.
Niacinamide is a type of water-soluble vitamin that works by aligning itself with the natural skin elements and helping to enhance complexion and skin texture by minimizing enlarged pores, tightening the skin, reducing wrinkles and fine lines and brightening the skin.
Retinol can shrink enlarged pores and make them appear smaller and tighter; however, it doesn't perform the same as exfoliating acids. Pores are normal openings in the skin that consist of a hair follicle, a sweat gland, and an oil-producing (or sebaceous) gland.
After you remove a blackhead, your pore will appear smaller. That's because the dirt and oil have been removed. Swipe a toner, such as witch hazel, over the area to kill any bacteria you may have spread and to condition your pores. You may want to avoid directly touching the area while your skin heals.
Hyaluronic acid serum tightens skin and minimizes pores so they shrink and become invisible over time. Smaller pores mean fewer clogs and breakouts.
Pockmarks, which are also called pick marks or acne scars, are blemishes with a concave shape that can look like holes or indentations in the skin. They occur when the deeper layers of the skin become damaged.
The Skin-Compromising Consequences
“Squeezing, picking, pulling, prodding—all of that can stretch the elastic around the pores, which makes them wider and larger, and they won't bounce back into shape. Ultimately, your pores will look larger and become increasingly more visible.
Laser Treatments
Several treatments are available at Dermatology and Laser Centre. Fractional ablative laser skin resurfacing decreases the appearance of pores and acne scars. For enlarged pores, Dr. Gallacher uses the Vbeam laser as well as fractionated CO2 lasers.
“In order for skin to appear poreless, luminous, and translucent, so many things have to happen. You can't just be hydrated and look that way. Your skin really needs to be its healthiest in all aspects. Babies have 'see-through skin' and that's because their skin is still so healthy.”
Grind rice into a fine powder and store in an airtight jar. When you want to make a rice face mask, use 2 tablespoons of this rice powder and combine with 3 tablespoons of cold milk. Apply the mixture on your face and allow it to dry for 40 minutes. When washing off, rub fingers in gentle circular motions.
Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize
"In the morning, I cleanse, tone, moisturize, and exfoliate two times a week. I moisturize a lot—day and night. I usually change my skin products according to the seasons, for winter and summer. My skin is very oily, so I tend to opt for a lighter moisturizer.