Glycolic acid is the ultimate at unclogging pores, thanks to its unmatched exfoliating capabilities. When topically applied, glycolic acid is able to quickly permeate the skin cell and dissolve the bonds holding dead cells, excess sebum, and dirt together.
Taking control of pesky pores
Glycolic acid's ability to boost collagen production is great news for those prone to enlarged pores. Applications of a glycolic acid based lotion, gel, or a glycolic acid toner are all excellent actions to stimulate that collagen production and shrink the appearance of pesky pores.
Lactic Acid Gently Exfoliates
Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) are excellent chemical exfoliants that loosen the “glue” holding dead skin cells together. This allows dead skin to slough away, leaving pore openings clear and reducing the risk of unwelcome clogs.
When applied to the skin, glycolic acid works to break the bonds between the outer layer of skin cells, including dead skin cells, and the next skin cell layer. This creates a peeling effect that can make the skin appear smoother and more even.
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.
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.
Hyaluronic acid serum tightens skin and minimizes pores so they shrink and become invisible over time. Smaller pores mean fewer clogs and breakouts.
Retinol promotes skin cell turnover and unclogs pores.
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.
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.
Exfoliate to Refine Your Complexion
One of the best ways to make pores look smaller is to use skincare products that help refine your complexion. Some of the best ingredients for the job include retinol and alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) such as glycolic acid.
While there are many treatments available to address pore size, microneedling stands out as a successful way to improve pore size, skin texture, and discoloration, as well as, taking care of the appearance of those fine lines you try to hide.
Your skin care specialist can recommend certain procedures to help with enlarged pores, such as microneedling and laser treatments. If severe acne is a contributor to your large pores, your skin care specialist may prescribe antibiotics or retinoids to help clear your skin.
Shrink enlarged pores and blackheads
Microdermabrasion is recommended by some dermatologists as a treatment for improving your skin's conditioning and making pores less visible.
Applying adapalene to the areas of your skin with acne will help to unblock pores. It also has some effect on reducing inflammation. It is often used early on in acne to help to unblock pores and to treat blackheads or whiteheads and mildly inflamed spots.
extreme stress. poor skin care habits (such as not washing your face twice a day, or wearing oil-based makeup) dry skin (ironically, having dry skin can make pores more noticeable due to an increase in sebum production and accumulation of dead skin cells on the surface of your skin)
While retinol and tretinoin unclog current problematic pores, they also keep skin cells from building up. If you still have some clogged pores after about a month of treatment, go back to the dermatologist for an extraction. A professional can use a small tool designed to remove clogs.
Clogged pores can look enlarged, bumpy, or, in the case of blackheads, dark in color. The more oil that a person's skin produces, the more likely it is that their pores will become blocked. A person can use skin care techniques and products to manage or clear clogged pores.
Put simply, glycolic acid is a more effective ingredient in the best skincare products for a smooth, fresh texture and to help shift old sun-damaged pigmentation. Salicylic acid is a powerful blemish and acne treatment and works best in a skincare routine for acne.
But in general, salicylic acid is the better choice. Unlike glycolic acid, salicylic acid decreases sebum in the skin. This is important because sebum can clog pores, which increases your risk of an acne breakout.
Glycolic acid is great for helping skin to clear blackheads and other types of congestion in the skin. Clogged pores usually form because of dead skin cells and other particles lingering in pores, creating plugs that could eventually turn into active breakouts or may remain as blackheads.