We all have them and we all hate them, but how can we minimize enlarged pores? Well the fact of the matter is that you can't get rid of them…just make them less visible. Why? Because pores are a part of your skin: they're actually the little openings from where your hair grows, so if you somehow managed to completely eliminate your pores, your skin would be in a lot of trouble because it wouldn't be able to push the hair follicle out or the oil that your skinĀ needs for natural protection. So if we can't remove them, we might as well try to make them less visible. Here's how!
#1. Exfoliate
I cannot stress how important it is to exfoliate at least once a week. Use a soft, grainy exfoliant (you can even buy gentle exfoliators that you can use every day) to remove dead skin cells which cause the enlarged pores. Make sure to scrub well around the pore-invested area to see results.
#2. Get a Facial
Getting monthly facials is a great investment because you get the really deep-cleansing treatment, leaving your skin feeling silky smooth and minimizing those enlarged pores. Also, a facial is usually customized to your skin type, so make sure you consult with a specialistĀ before proceeding.
#3. Microdermabrasion
Microdermabrasion treatments can be quite effective in minimizing pores since they slough off the dead skin cells, leaving your skin completely rejuvenated. If you've got the dough, you can get it done by aĀ professional, or just pick up one of many home microdermabrasion kits.
#4. Alpha and Beta Acids
Alpha and beta hydroxy acids are great at really getting deep into the skin, and preventing dead skin cell buildup. While alpha hydroxy acids are more water soluble, beta hydroxy acids (salicylic acid) is oil soluble, so it's able to get really deep into the skin, exfoliating the sebum-packed pore. Therefore, look for products that contain salicylic acids.
#5. Tretinoin
If all of the above don't seem to work, resort to stronger solutions such as tretinoin, also known as Retin-A. It helps unclog and minimize pores by speeding up cell turnover.