Facial Skin Pores Causes and Tips

What are pores? Pores refer to the visible openings of the skin that occur from the skin structure itself. Every human has two types of pores: open and closed. Open or visible facial pores are the ones that are clearly visible to the naked eye; they're enlarged dilations on the skin's surface. Clogged or invisible facial pores, on the other hand, are largely unknown to many because they're relatively smaller in size, and most of them tend to appear on parts of your face that are not easy to view.

Facial pores may look harmless from the outside, but they have a significant role in protecting our face from environmental damage. The average adult has five million pores on their body, with approximately 20,000 on their face alone. These pores allow our skin to communicate with the environment and vice versa. However, it is important to note that not all people develop facial pores.

Facial skin pores are one of the most common concerns among people. They are often visible on our faces, especially when we look in the mirror or go under a close inspection, such as during a facial treatment session at a spa or even in a regular shower. These small openings can cause great worry and concern among individuals who worry about their skin's aesthetic appearance.

There are two types of pores. One releases the body's natural oil, called sebum, and the other releases sweat. Sometimes the oil-releasing pores may appear enlarged. Enlarged pores are more common than you may think. They affect both men and women of all ages.

Why do pores become enlarged?

The size of the pores on our faces is largely determined by genetics. However, other factors can lead to them becoming enlarged. These include:

• ageing - as we get older, our skin naturally loses elasticity, which can cause the pores to appear larger
• moisturizing - using heavy oils or thick creams that can block the pores can make them appear bigger
• sun exposure - being in the sun without protecting yourself from it damages the collagen in your skin and causes it to lose its elasticity
• excess oil - when too much sebum is produced in the skin, this can stretch out the pore opening and make them appear larger

In the interests of beauty and self-confidence, many people want to know how to minimize large pores on the face. If a person has large pores, they can look much older than their years. The pore size is determined by genetics, so there's no way to change it permanently, but you can make them temporarily smaller by following a few tricks.

Exfoliate

Exfoliate or scrub your skin with an exfoliating agent, like baking soda or salt. Do this once or twice per week to remove dead skin cells, which will make the pores appear smaller. It will also help to remove blackheads and whiteheads.

Wash Your Face

Wash your face daily with a mild cleanser and warm water for pore deep cleansing. This will remove excess oil from the skin, which can clog pores and make them appear larger. Also, wash after exercise or any time you sweat because sweat clogs pores as well.

Use Makeup Products

There are makeup products on the market designed to make pores less noticeable. For a more cleansing facial, use a primer before applying foundation or other cosmetics for best results; this will help fill in the appearance of large pores.

Skincare products

The products we use can considerably impact our pores, and it's important to pay attention to ingredients when choosing skincare. Dehydration of the skin is one of the biggest causes of clogged pores. Using ceramide-based products replenishes the skin's natural moisture barrier and helps combat water loss. If you are prone to breakouts, look for products that contain retinol – a vitamin A ingredient that helps speed up cell turnover and targets acne-causing bacteria.

Home remedies

There are a few home remedies that may help minimize the appearance of pores.

You can try:

• cleansing with lemon juice, which has natural skin-lightening effects
• applying apple cider vinegar to tighten the skin
• using steam to open up pores and then applying green tea for its antioxidant properties

Other treatment options

Micro needling

A dermatologist may recommend micro needling to improve the appearance of pores. Micro needling is a simple and effective treatment for large pores. Micro needling is a procedure that uses tiny needles to puncture the skin, creating controlled micro-injuries. This process stimulates your body to produce new collagen, which can help reduce the appearance of large pores and make your skin look younger and healthier.

If a person is interested in these treatments, they should speak to their doctor.

In the end

No matter your complexion, facial skin pores can be an issue you will have to face. However, you don't need to let the problem get out of hand. There are plenty of ways to minimize the presence of this skin concern so you can continue embracing your natural beauty, no matter how small the skin pores on your face might seem.

In the end, don't be too hard on yourself. Be sure to look after your skin and take measures to tackle breakouts before they occur, but try not to stress. Your hormones will soon level out, and you'll hopefully find that the skin on your face settles into a comfortable equilibrium.

That's not to say you shouldn't do anything about it—just make sure you're doing the right things for your skin type and your situation, and you'll be well on your way to having smooth, healthy-looking facial skin in no time!