Antioxidants like vitamin C, retinols, and exfoliating acids are all key ingredients in pore-minimizing serums because they can unclog congested pores, clear dead skin, and reduce excess sebum.
Products that increase collagen production — like vitamin C and retinoids — are a good choice. 2. Products that cause swelling within the skin deliver temporary improvement for large pores. This is how most “pore minimizing” products work, and many of these rely on vitamin C or glycolic acid to achieve their goal.
It Helps With Pores
Since it's an antioxidant, vitamin C serum manages to unclog the pores, clear out dead skin, and reduce the overall amount of sebum. Additionally, it also minimises the pores — and since it's non-comedogenic, you know that you can kiss those social life-ruining blackheads goodbye.
Pore size is genetically determined, so you can't actually shrink pores. You can use pore-minimizing products, cooling treatments and products containing vitamin B3, niacinamide, picolinamide, zinc oxide and collagen to attempt to minimize the appearance of pores.
This is because vitamin C can prevent acne as well as treat it. Vitamin C does so in two ways. First, by preventing and reducing inflammation of the skin that leads to blocked pores and acne. Second, by acting as an antioxidant to reduce damage caused by free radicals that can lead to and worsen acne.
7 vitamin C serums to consider
Sometimes it can be too strong for your skin, causing it to react via purging, breakouts, or itchiness. You don't want the product to sting and itch even after you apply moisturizer.
This incredible antioxidant, anti-inflammatory nutrient is known to improve skin tone and texture, hydrate the skin, and reduce signs of aging. Adding vitamin C to your skin care routine can not only brighten your complexion but also protect against skin damage caused by sun exposure and harmful free radicals.
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. As these deeper layers heal, extra collagen is produced.
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.
However, oral administration of vitamin c has demonstrated the ability to improve skin texture and appearance of pores as well as increasing elastin and collagen levels.
Both vitamin C and niacinamide increase the natural production of ceramides in your skin which helps to strengthen your skin barrier, keep your skin hydrated, and reduce irritation. However, niacinamide is probably the better option for sensitive skin as it's usually gentler than vitamin C.
We all have different skin needs and routines, but as a general rule, we recommend incorporating vitamin C into your skincare regime every—or every other—morning. We specify morning, because the antioxidant helps to protect from things like pollution and UV light, which you're typically exposed to throughout the day.
You've probably heard that you can't shrink your pores. But actually, you can—with niacinamide. “Clinically it reduces pore size, and improves skin texture,” says Dr. Farris.
Retin-A can improve skin texture and fade dark spots and freckles because it causes skin cells to turn over more rapidly. It shrinks dilated pores and improves cell turnover within the pores so they are less likely to clog and become blackheads and whiteheads.
Nose pores are naturally larger than those that are located on other parts of your skin. This is because the sebaceous glands underneath them are larger, too. You're also more likely to have enlarged nose pores if you have oily skin. Enlarged nose pores are also genetic.
There is no treatment that will permanently reduce pore size but a combination of topical treatment and in-office procedures can improve skin texture and minimize the appearance of large pores. Treatments rely on collagen building and stimulation, which improves and camouflages pore size.
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.
A tell-tale sign of vitamin c over-use can be increased blackheads or a development of blackheads. General skin irritation and breakouts can also occur if you are using your vitamin c too much or too often. We recommend using your serum 1-2 times a day and 2-4 drops is all that is needed.
1. Lightens dark spots. Vitamin C helps lighten dark spots on the skin by restricting the enzyme responsible for the production of melanin.
Good (Skin) Days C's The Day Serum
Vitamin C moisturizers are also becoming more common, Dr. Lamb says, and you'd want to use those at the end of your skin-care routine. And if you're wondering if you can use vitamin C every day, the answer is yes.
Vitamin C treats acne scars by increasing the synthesis of collagen, a protein responsible for your skin's structure and vital for rebuilding healthy skin. As a result, this vitamin may accelerate the healing of acne wounds ( 6 , 12 , 13 ).
Oral supplementation with vitamin C effectively increases vitamin C levels in the skin (9, 10). However, when plasma vitamin C levels are saturated, skin vitamin C concentrations no longer increase. Optimum skin concentrations of the vitamin are not yet known.