Large Pores

Decrease the Appearance of Your Pores

As the outermost layer of the body and the largest organ on the body, your skin dominates your appearance. Because of this, it’s a natural consequence that there is a great deal of attention paid to the quality of skin in regards to your overall appearance. The pores of the skin in particular receive a great deal of scrutiny.

Pores are tiny holes in the epidermis, the outermost layer of the skin. They serve several functions, including allowing for the passage of liquids and gases to exit our body, regulating body temperature as well as giving skin a natural barrier to protect itself from bacteria.

There are two types of pores: oil pores and sweat pores.

Oil pores are connected to sebaceous (oil) glands. These release the body’s natural oil, called sebum. Sebum acts as a natural emollient to enable a waterproof layer to form over the skin. This provides protection to keep bacteria and other foreign particles out of your skin and keeps moisture in. Healthy sebum production (not too much and not too little) can ensure that your skin maintains optimum softness and flexibility. Sometimes the oil-releasing pores may appear enlarged.

Sweat pores are connected to sudoriferous (sweat) glands. There are many of these all over your outer layer of skin.

While many people perceive their pores as blemishes, mainly when they’re enlarged (as can be the case with oil pores), it is important to remember that they serve a critical role in keeping the skin hydrated and healthy.

The key to an even complexion is to minimize their visibility.

Causes of Enlarged Pores

The pores get a bit of a bad rap, since the truth is that everyone has them – millions of them, in fact. The pores of the skin are where the body’s natural oils called sebum are produced in glands under the skin. The pores are also where the follicles of hair grow. Though pores are an important part of your natural anatomy, they can be embarrassing when they are prominent.

Large pores may be a result of your natural genetics. Pore size is largely determined by genetics. It’s true that the genes you inherit from your parents can make larger pores a possibility, but your diet and lifestyle can also play a role. Pores can enlarge with age or appear larger when there is oil buildup. Those with naturally oily skin tend to have larger pores. In some Vancouver patients, pores can also be darkened by old dead skin cells, makeup, and the melanin pigment in the skin.

If your skin displays any of these traits, then your pores may look larger:

• oily
• affected by mild acne
• appears less firm than it once was

Daily cleansing
Over time, clogged pores or an oily complexion can give the appearance of enlarged pores. However, twice-daily cleansing may help unclog pores, prevent clogged pores, and reduce oiliness.

Exfoliation
To minimize the appearance of pores, exfoliate your skin regularly with a product designed for that purpose. Improper exfoliation can cause damage to your skin; therefore, it’s essential to speak with a skincare expert to make sure you’re not only doing it in the right way but also using the right product.

Non-comedogenic products
Non-comedogenic means a product will not clog your pores. Clogged pores cause them to expand—and you don’t want that, because it can make them appear larger than they are as well as contribute to the development of inflammation and acne breakouts.

Sunscreen
The more sun-damaged a person’s skin, the less firm it is. The condition of sun-damaged skin causes pores to appear more noticeable. That’s why you should avoid long term sun exposure. Applying a sunscreen with an SPF30 or higher can help preserve the firmness of the skin and protect against sun damage. Make sure to apply sunscreen daily and reapply as frequently as necessary, even when the weather is inclement and cold. Sun damage occurs every time the sun’s rays touch our skin. In addition, the damage accumulates over time.

Clearing your pores and undergoing other modern skin treatments can be extremely helpful in reducing pore visibility.

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