How Do I Improve My Facial Pores?

Pores are small openings in the skin that release oils and sweat. Large facial pores are often due to increased sebum production, sun damage, acne, and loss of skin elasticity from aging. Clogged pores can result from dead skin, oils, or other debris getting trapped, leading to acute infections, or acne lesions. Clogged pores may lead to enlarged pores over time. Note: Enlarged pores do not equal clogged pores. There are many ways to reduce facial pores. 

There are many ways to make pores smaller. For the biggest improvements, start with these three tips. For more ideas, keep reading!

Top 3 Tips to Improve Facial Pores

1. Clean your skin daily with a mildly acidic cleanser (similar to that of skin pH) is recommended, especially before you go to sleep. 

2. Do not use oil-based creams, like natural oils, petrolatum, coconut, or olive oil-based creams. Very oily (fatty) creams can clog up pores. Water-based skin creams instead of oil-based skin creams congest the pores much less. 

3. Assess your skin care products. Some skin products you have been using for months or years can even cause skin problems in the long term, like clogging up pores or causing mild irritation or inflammation. 
4. Incorporate an exfoliation step with either AHA- or BHA-based skincare products at least once to twice a week.
5. Incorporate a Vitamin A derivative into your routine. (Retinoids are the gold standard for reducing fine lines, improving facial redness, battling acne, rebuilding collagen, etc.).

Additional Tips to Improve Facial Pores

• A high-concentrated retinol skin cream can reduce pore sizes, and also improve the overall look of the skin. 
• A BHA exfoliator is better for oily skin since it’s more oil-soluble and penetrates deeper into pores.
• A clay mask can minimize pores by unclogging them. 
• A skin cream with glycolic acid can reduce pores by dissolving dead cells and absorbing oil that otherwise contributes to clogged-up pores. 
• Scrub your skin once a week. Make sure you use a gentle exfoliator. Scrubbing gets the skin rid of dead cells. If you scrub too hard or use a rough exfoliator, you can irritate the skin. Less is more!
• Try not to touch your face. Bringing your hands to your face can transfer bacteria to your skin, clogging up your pores. 
• Consider professional treatments, such as sterile, gentle extractions, microdermabrasion, and chemical peels.
• Protect your skin against sun exposure. Always apply sunscreen and wear caps and hats as much as possible.
• Make sure you use the right make-up. Some make-up can clog up pores. Never sleep with make-up on. 
• Treat your acne, which causes clogged up, inflamed pores. Use a cleanser with salicylic acid to improve your skin and pores. If that does not help, other creams (like benzoyl peroxide or azelaic acid creams) and drugs (isotretinoin) can greatly improve acne. 
• Cut back on high-sugary foods and starchy foods (bread, potatoes, rice and pasta), which can cause high super peaks, glycation and inflammation in the skin. 
• Avoid trans fats, which can be found in fried foods, fast-food, bakery products (e.g. crackers, cookies, cakes), and vegetable shortenings. They can  cause skin redness and inflammation. 
• Significantly reduce your intake of pro-inflammatory omega-6-fat-rich foods, like sunflower oil, corn oil, safflower oil, margarine, sesame oil, mayonnaise, and most salad dressings.
• Consume more healthy fats, especially omega-3 fats, by consuming more olives, olive oil, walnuts, avocados, flax seed, chia seed, fatty fish, etc. Healthy fats are very important for healthy, even skin.  
• Drink (very) little alcohol. Alcohol is converted into substances that damage DNA, stem cells, and the skin. Drink a maximum of one glass of alcohol daily, including alcohol-free days.