FOOLPROOF WAYS TO MINIMIZE VISIBLE PORES
Open pores are nothing less than a horror story. No matter how annoying it may seem but large pores and oily skin aren't something you can kiss goodbye even as you age. But you can surely treat them by getting your hands on some dermatologically tested solutions available in the market.
Before jumping into finding the solution for minimizing pores, it's always good to remember the hard truth - you can't permanently eliminate pores by using any product (no matter how great the product is!), but you can always shrink them as they’re supposed to be.
The relationship between large pores and oily skin
Oily skin is more prone to open pores that lead to acne problems. But are you sure if you have oily skin or not? Here's a simple trick to understand your skin. Wash your face with a gentle cleanser and pat your face dry. If your skin begins to look shiny after 10 minutes, you have oily skin. If it stays normal, you have combination skin. And if it feels dehydrated and irritated, please grab a heavy moisturizer before you end up damaging your skin!
Coming back to the concern of pores, larger pores have been associated with larger oil glands. So, how can you make them look smaller?
1. USE CLEAN BEAUTY BRANDS AND TRANSPARENT INGREDIENTS
The skincare industry has been taken over by various clean beauty brands. This shift in the skincare industry is good news for the consumers since clean beauty products are processed without suspected or proven toxins. These brands keep the customer's best interests in mind, and curate products that are not only safe but most beneficial to the skin as well. The best thing about clean brands is that the ingredients used in their products are ethically sourced and are gentle on the skin and the environment (just the bonus we need right now!)
2. RED CLOVER EXTRACT IS YOUR GO-TO
A naturally derived ingredient, Red Clover Flower Extract vitalizes collagen production and proven to tighten and shrink large pores. Popularly grown in South America, these dark-pink flowers are used in skincare formulations for regulating oil production, besides its other benefits. COnsidered traditional skincare remedy, Red Clover Extract is a natural ingredient that not only dilutes your pores but also helps increase pore contraction. It also eliminates debris from the pores and boosts skin elasticity. Try out the SHRINK THOSE PORES TEXTURE REFINING TONER, formulated with just the right ingredients to help you yield quick results for those stubborn pores.
3. OPT FOR GLYCOLIC ACID
Glycolic acid can help exfoliate the skin gently while keeping it moisturized. Its peeling effect helps unclog the pores. Throw out your physical exfoliants and start looking for chemical ones instead. Fast skin regeneration will also have a brightening effect on your face, along with its action on pores. It is also known to boost collagen production and hence proves to be beneficial for the skin’s texture.
4. BUILD A STABLE ROUTINE
Harsh but true, your skin isn't as adaptable as you would want it to be. That's why even a little bit of shift in your sleep cycle or your stress levels can instantly show on your skin, nails and hair. And that’s why it is important to have a stable skincare and selfcare routine. Maintaining a stable routine doesn’t mean you need an elaborate, 10-step K-beauty routine.
A gentle cleanser, right toner, and moisturizer in the day can also do the wonder trick. A little extra bonus if you add a serum to the mix for reviving your skin with glowsome results.
5. USE WATER-BASED PRODUCTS
Keeping exfoliation aside, there are some other things you should check off while buying your skincare products. If you are dealing with big pores, switch to 'water-based' products. These products employ water as their base ingredient (as opposed to gel or oil). The humectants present in these formulations drive better water-retention of skin and build a secure water barrier to shield your skin from free radicals. Voila!
6. SWITCH TO NON-COMEDOGENIC PRODUCTS
Any product that doesn't contain ingredients that block or clog your pores are called non-comedogenic. Reading the product labels can usually help you with the understanding of if a product is comedogenic or not. Brands like to flaunt it, so if it's nowhere in sight, it is comedogenic (avoid it!)
7. KEEP SAFE DISTANCE FROM DIY SKINCARE
It might be controversial, but every successful skincare brand will always advise against using natural products as skincare replacements. This isn't done as a PR stunt or as a sales strategy. The pre-existing notion of 'natural is better' doesn't apply here. There are proven results that show many frequently used natural products often end up harming the skin more than improving it.
The reason why lab-made, artificial products are better is that they are created in a contained environment and only stable amounts of a specific component used. Natural substances like lemon have high acidic value and can disrupt the healthy pH of your skin. This disruption, either too acidic or basic in nature, can disturb your skin's ecosystem and sometimes end in disastrous situations. Even seemingly harmless products like raw turmeric and cut tomatoes can sometimes cause this effect.
8. GET THE RIGHT CARE
While it is important to keep trying various skincare to find our optimal match, you have to take frequent breaks and let your skin get used to new products. The horrifying term, 'purging,' can sometimes dishearten people who try new products.
What you need to remember is regardless of how soothing a product claims to be, your skin always needs time to get accustomed to it. Using multiple products for the first time is always a bad idea. Instead, incorporate them one by one. But don't just let excessive inflammation and reactive acne slide. This might mean you are allergic to a product and might need to stop using it. Consult a dermatologist if there’s consistent face allergies to speed up the healing process as well as the recovery.