Adsorbing and tightening properties of clay helps your facial pores become less visible for smoother looking skin. Contrary to most marketing, the size of your pores will not change, but you can improve the elasticity of the skin surrounding the pore. Clay also cleanses and removing impurities built up in the pore.
Clay. Typically, clay-based masks made with acids are recommended to take on your clogged or enlarged pores. Clay helps draw out impurities from the skin, aiming to leave it fresh, smooth, and clean.
Hu: "You can't actually 'shrink' your pores, but the good news is that you can make them less noticeable." If you're hoping to minimize the appearance of pores, she highly recommends this cleansing clay mask. "Pores appear bigger when they're congested with dead skin cells, sebum, and product buildup," Dr. Hu says.
"White clay works well with all skin types, especially mature skin, to draw out excess oils and dirt. It is a gentle exfoliant that will refine the surface of your skin and work to reduce pore size.” To note: Kaolin clay is a type of white clay.
Clay masks are a popular beauty product that's used help to cleanse, smooth, and brighten skin and hair. 1 They are popular among people who have oily or acne-prone skin, and they are commonly used to reduce excess oil (also known as sebum) on the face and eliminate impurities that clog pores.
As a clay mask dries, your skin begins to tighten. The clay is "soaking up” excess oil and debris from your pores. As the facial clay mask rids pores of dirt and oil, the pores tighten and will feel and look clean which helps reduce their appearance.
As you grow older, your skin loses it elasticity, which causes your skin to stretch and sag, making pores appear larger. Your skin also thickens as you age, which causes miniscule skin cells to gather around your pores, making pores look bigger.
Smaller Pores
The more water you drink, the better balance of oil and water on the surface of your skin. This can help reduce your pore size, decrease acne breakouts, and reduce blemishes.
There's nothing richer than clean, healthy pores—and like other elements of appearance, it's common for people to stress over their size. The smaller the pores, the clearer your skin appears. And in many cases, size does matter: enlarged pores, for starters, can indicate clogging and/or oil and bacteria buildup.
Retinol helps with blackheads and whiteheads and evens skin tones. Studies show that applying retinol cream reduces pore size and keeps them cleaner, emptying the impurities that otherwise give an oversized appearance. Retinol is most effective when used as night cream.
Shrinks pores: Bentonite clay has astringent properties; it tightens the skin and can temporarily minimize the appearance of pores. It reduces pores long-term by unclogging them and removing excess oil from the skin.
Benefits of Bentonite Clay for Skin
Reduce the appearance of pores: The absorptive properties also means it has a temporary tightening effect on the skin and helps minimize the appearance of prominent pores, says Jeffy.
No, clays are powerful absorbents but they cannot remove an existing blackhead. They can suck out all the dirt, oil and dead skin cells blocking the pore. They also keep oil production under control. Regular use of clay masks detoxifies our skin and keeps our pores clean that prevents blackheads.
Because of their purifying results, clay and mud masks are best for acne-prone, oily, combination, or dull skin. However, because they work so well at drawing out oil, they should only stay on your skin for 15 minutes max, up to three times per week.
Pores Change As You Age
As the years pass, UV rays and other environmental factors cause the skin to lose its elasticity. When this happens, pores clogged with sebum, dirt and dead skin appear to be even larger than before. This is because the skin around each pore is not as firm and collagen-rich as in younger skin.
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.
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.
Hyaluronic acid serum tightens skin and minimizes pores so they shrink and become invisible over time. Smaller pores mean fewer clogs and breakouts.
Do you see distinct dots? If you do, your pores are probably on the larger side. Check for large, visible pores on your forehead, chin, and nose, too. If your pores are mostly large across these areas, you have oily skin—because the pores are bigger, more oil comes out of them.