During the normal skin cell turnover process, your topmost layer of skin sluffs off every 30-40 days or so. As you age, this process takes longer, up to 50 or 60 days. Retinoids like retinol speed up the process, bringing your skin turnover back to 20-30 days as in your youth.
Bad news first: You can't actually change the basic size of your pores. But here's the good news: You can do plenty of things to help minimize their appearance. Although your basic pore size can't be changed, there are plenty of ways to help minimize their appearance.
What is the most effective pore minimizer? Exfoliating acids are going to be your best friend when it comes to actively minimizing the appearance of pores. "AHA and BHA exfoliating toners both work well," says Butler. She likes to look for products with a high concentration of salicylic acid or glycolic acid.
Retinol promotes skin cell turnover and unclogs pores.
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.
Pores can become clogged with excess oil, dead skin, or dirt, or they can appear more prominent as a result of too much sun exposure. Other factors that can influence pores becoming clogged include genetics and hormones.
Results: There are 3 major clinical causes of enlarged facial pores, namely high sebum excretion, decreased elasticity around pores, and increased hair follicle volume. In addition, chronic recurrent acne, sex hormones, and skin care regimen can affect pore size.
Usually, genetics determine larger pores. But, oily skin, sun damage and aging can be other factors that make your pores look bigger. While you can't change the size of your pores, you can minimize the appearance of enlarged pores.
The good news is, hyaluronic fillers exist and they can help your skin look smoother and your pores visibly smaller. A recent study done by Capital Medical University's Wei Qian and his team of researchers found that hyaluronic acid can minimize large pores.
“Unfortunately, once pores have stretched, they cannot go back to their original size,” says Nina. However, the good news is, we can make them appear smaller. “Large pores can continue enlarging if you allow them to stretch out and become clogged with whiteheads, blackheads, sebum, and dirt,” Nina warns.
It tightens pores
Those who have oily skin and large pores can benefit from apple cider vinegar. The substance contains alpha-hydroxy acids (organic acids that improve cell turnover and reduce the appearance of wrinkles), which can shrink and tighten pores.
One great way to minimize the look of enlarged pores is to use a pore minimizer that has ingredients such as: glycolic acid, azelaic acid, willow bark extract and green tea. Glycolic acid exfoliates the skin and keeps pores clean. Azelaic acid is great for helping control acne and keeping pores from getting clogged.
Witch hazel acts as an astringent to help shrink your pores, soothe your skin and reduce inflammation.
Cucumber is a natural skin hydrant; the high water content of cucumber helps replenish the skin and tightens it. It is an excellent home remedy for open pores on oily face and skin. Both besan and turmeric are equally effective in shrinking pores. Mix 1 tablespoon of besan with 1 tablespoon of turmeric powder.
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.
Smaller Pores
Our pores can get clogged and enlarged throughout the day. 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.
Milk, butter, cheese and milk chocolate contain high levels of hormones which can lead to an increased production of oil and blocked pores. What to blocked pores leads to? Large pores! Dairy is also lined with acne and other skin conditions.
Warm water opens pores, while cold water shrinks them. Whether your skin will benefit from one action or the other really depends on your skin type. If you have chronically dry skin, warm or hot water may end up stripping the skin of too much of its natural oils, making it difficult for it to stay hydrated and plump.