Large pores on the face can reduce skin health and speed up aging. They might even contribute to the development of skin problems, like acne and blackheads in people with oily skin. Of course, large facial pores also make the skin less smooth. Are there safe and natural ways to tighten pores at home? In this article, we list down simple steps on how to minimize pores naturally.
Causes of Large Facial Pores
Talking about the steps to minimize pores naturally means we need to discuss the possible causes of large facial pores. The potential reasons behind your enlarged pores include:
- Prolonged exposure to the sun: This can make pores bigger because the sun can destroy collagen in the skin, making the pores lose its elasticity.
- Age: As you age, the skin loses its elasticity, causing the pores to enlarge
- Genetics: In some cases, enlarged pores are hereditary.
- Excessively oily skin: Normally, the skin secretes oil through the pores, and then it spreads evenly over the face, nose and cheeks. However, if the sebaceous glands produce too much oil and it mixes with other impurities, such as dead skin cells, dirt, and sweat, the pores will clog. Clogged pores make it difficult for the oil to spread evenly on the surface of the skin. Since the oil “stays” in the pores, they may become large.
So, how can we minimize pores naturally?
4 Ways To Minimize Pores Naturally
Below are some suggestions to minimize pores naturally:
1. Exfoliate With Sugar Scrub
An effective way to minimize pores naturally is to exfoliate regularly¹. Exfoliation removes the excess oil, dirt, and other impurities that might clog and enlarge pores.
If you’re looking for a good exfoliator, consider granulated sugar mixed with coconut oil. Reports say sugar is one of the best natural beauty ingredients to exfoliate your skin².
Unsure of how to exfoliate correctly or what other products to use? Get in touch with a dermatologist. Regardless of the product you choose, remember to be gentle to your skin.
Did you know that ACV can act as an astringent? That means it can help remove leftover dirt that might clog pores. Astringents are also known to tighten skin, making ACV a great ingredient to minimize pores naturally. Moreover, reports say apple cider vinegar may have antibacterial properties, which means it can help protect your skin from acne³. Remember that acne can clog your pores, making them appear larger.
Here’s how you can use apple cider vinegar for the skin:
- Mix 1 part apple cider vinegar and 2 parts purified water.
- Soak a cotton ball in the apple cider vinegar mixture and gently apply to the large pores on the face, then wait for a few minutes before rinsing with cold water.
- Do this every night after cleansing your face for the best results, and don’t forget to use an accompanying moisturizer.
3. Eat Tomatoes
Many people believe that eating tomatoes can help you achieve a smooth complexion. But, is it also a great ingredient to minimize pores naturally?
As mentioned earlier, sun damage is one of the possible causes of pore enlargement. Now, did you know that there’s a study indicating that consuming tomatoes or products rich in lycopene for 10 to 12 weeks reduces sensitivity to UV radiation? Tomatoes may not be a substitute for sunscreen, but they might help reduce the risk of sun damage⁴.
4. Apply a Clay Mask
According to reports, clay masks can absorb (and therefore get rid of) excess sebum and other impurities. For this reason, they may help prevent acne, which can affect pore appearance⁵.
If you want to use clay masks, it’s best to talk to your dermatologist first, especially if you have sensitive skin. Also, don’t forget to follow the package instructions when applying the mask. Generally, you mix the ash with water to create a paste, lather it over the face as a mask, wait for it to harden, and then rinse
Additional Tips To Minimize Pores Naturally
Besides applying (or consuming) natural ingredients to tighten pores, here are some additional tips to prevent large pores on the face, nose, cheeks and chin:
- Avoid skin care products that are likely to clog pores or make the sebaceous glands overactive, like those with emollient ingredients (thick lotion, creams, moisturizers, etc.). This is especially important when you have oily skin.
- Clean your face twice daily with a gentle cleanser and warm water.
- Avoid products with ingredients that dry or irritate the skin, as these products will cause the skin to produce more oil in the pores.
- Switch to liquid facial cleansers as bar soaps might contain ingredients that clog pores.
- Apply sunscreen daily.
- Use only water-soluble face wash products.
- Use water-based facial moisturizers (not oil-based). Moisturizing is a crucial step since dry skin tends to produce more oil, leading to clogged pores and breakouts.
- Take good care of your makeup items and remember to remove your makeup at night. You should not wear too much makeup to cover dark spots or even large pores because it might aggravate skin problems.
- Problematic acne? Consult a dermatologist for treatment.
The above are great options to minimize pores naturally. These natural remedies will help unclog pores , brighten skin, and control acne. However, remember to apply all products with caution by performing a patch test first.
Learn more about Skincare and Cleansing here.
