How to
reduce pore size
How to
reduce pore size
Pores. We all have them, in all shapes and sizes, and whichever way, they're completely natural. If your pores are on the larger side, you might be wondering how to get rid of large pores, or if there are products you can use on them.
Larger pores can increase the likelihood of blackheads and your make-up might sit differently on your skin than if you had smaller pores.
There are several things you can do at home to help reduce the appearance of large pores on your face. Read on to discover tips and tricks from NIVEA to suit your skin's needs.
How to get rid of large pores:
what causes them?
Pore size is determined by the amount of sebum your body produces, and this can differ greatly from person to person. Sebum is oil produced by the sebaceous glands found in the skin, and its role is to lubricate the skin and hair on our bodies. Some of us produce more sebum than others, and our pores need to be able to accommodate the amount we are producing. Therefore, the more sebum you produce, the bigger your pores will be.
Sun damage and other environmental factors can cause your pore size to increase as you get older. This is because your skin becomes less elastic and bouncy, so your pores become less able to hold their shape, causing them to grow larger and more dilated.
That's why it's so important to use sun protection on your body in the spring and summer months, and facial SPF all year round. This not only helps your skin stay healthy but also helps if you want to reduce how much your pores grow over time.
Using a toner before you apply moisturiser effectively cleans and closes pores before you put any heavier products on your face, while giving your skin an essential hydration boost to keep it looking healthy. Read our guide on what toner does for more information.
Oil Free Moisturiser will provide your skin with the hydration it needs without adding excess oils to your face that later clog your pores, causing them to become enlarged. This is particularly useful if you have oily skin, so why not try the NIVEA Oil Free Moisturising Day Cream.
Steam treatment opens your pores and allows you to clean them deeply to remove dirt. Steaming can easily be done at home. Place a bowl of boiling water on a level surface in front of you.
Drape a towel over your head, place your face above the steaming water and hold for 5 minutes. After you've cleansed, you could apply a cold compress to your face to close the pores and help prevent dirt getting stuck in them again.
Please make sure you're comfortable with the temperatures. Very hot or very cold temperatures can be damaging to some skin types.
Excess oil on your skin can come from many places. It can be caused by factors like under or over-hydration, genetic predisposition, or even what you've eaten recently. A good cleanser won't always guarantee reduced pores but cleansing does remain important. Avoid drying formulas, as these can lead to even more excess sebum. Instead, try NIVEA MicellAIR Water Sensitive Skin, designed to leave no residue on the skin.
Make-up tip 101: remove your make-up with a gentle face cleanse before bed to prevent build-up. Try to focus on your known problem areas and this will help to reduce pore size on your nose and chin, often two of the main areas where pores become clogged.
Using a clay mask means that excess oil is absorbed from the skin while also drawing out dirt from large, congested pores. The NIVEA Pore Purifying Wash Scrub Mask is perfect for this. Read more about clay masks here.
Products designed to dry out your skin will only increase the amount of oil produced as your skin tries to counteract this and re-lubricate itself, so you should stay away from any products that might cause this to happen. The more oil you produce, the bigger your pores will look.
Aloe vera contains natural pore-tightening properties, and doesn't contain any harsh chemicals that might irritate your skin. It also has excellent soothing qualities that make your skin feel rejuvenated and make it perfect if you're prone to sensitive skin too.
