How to Shrink Large Pores & Live with a Clear Complexion

The size of large pores may be a source of aggravation or obsession for those that deal with them on a daily basis. Hard to conceal and often associated with oily skin, the frustrations that come with large pores are more than cosmetic. In fact, large pores and the amount of breakouts that appear on the skin are more related than you may realize.

Oily skin: the culprit

Naturally oily skin tends to come with larger pore size. Some medical sources believe that a larger pore is in an indication of a larger oil-producing gland, which results in skin that may be more oily than normal. Much of the overproduction of oil can be attributed to a hormonal imbalance, which leads the sebaceous glands to create more sebum, the oily substance that runs along the hair follicle to moisturize skin. When sebum is produced in large amounts, it can clog pores. When combined with dirt, dead skin or other debris, bacteria is created in the pores and can lead to an infection that manifests as acne symptoms such as pimples.

Despite claims from countless beauty and skincare companies offering topical solutions, you cannot actually “shrink” your pores as they do not open and close. Pores are necessary for skin to function in a healthy manner. Allowing for the body to flush out toxins, regulate body temperature, and even moisturize dry skin, pores are not all bad, despite the headache they may bring about for those with acne-prone skin. The best thing you can do for pores is keep them clean of dirt, makeup and debris by cleansing the surface of the skin, while keeping the amount of oil produced by sebaceous glands at a normal rate, which can only be addressed internally. (Note to AcnEase^® Users: Your pores have already decreased in size even if you have recently started your treatment, but please continue to heed this advice – it will only make your results that much better).

Think CTM! [Cleansing – Treating – Moisturizing]

Although not a permanent solution, keeping the surface of the skin clean can go a long way in terms of keeping pores open and unclogged, and is a good practice to keep for overall good skincare.

• Cleansing. Clean pores are due in part to clean skin, so using a gentle cleanser day and night, and after sweating, to reduce oily build-up, can keep unwanted irritants away from pores. However, cleansing alone will not keep pores clean, as the overproduction of sebum, or oil, meets dirt and dead skin in the pore from within, leading to acne symptoms such as pimples. Remember to choose a non-comedogenic cleanser (preferably without parabens or phthalates).
• Treating. Some people reach for topicals containing acne-fighting ingredients such as salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide or even retinol to slough away any bacteria or dead skin that might clog pores. While treating skin from the outside can provide a temporary solution, long-term goals can be reached with an internal solution that targets acne at it’s source, working as a buffer between hormones and sebaceous glands to moderate the impact of hormones on sebum production (which is what AcnEase^® does). Because pore size and oiliness are so closely related, real results can be witnessed when we treat one to control the other.
• Moisturizing. Over-washing or over-exfoliating can irritate the skin, and even result in more oil production to calm the irritation which will only exacerbate the problem, making it important to treat the skin to some moisture after cleansing. When we implement a systemic solution into our skincare routine, the production of oil, or sebum, is targeted at its source before it has a chance to clog pores, giving our skin it’s best shot at remaining acne-free.

Let’s Face the Facts [pun intended]

Having larger pores does not necessarily guarantee that you will have acne, but treating and managing oil production can affect their appearance in terms of size. Pores tend to appear larger among oily skin as the skin around pores can become swollen when oil and dirt collect on the skin’s surface. Regardless of how much we wash, the production of oil will remain the same, as no topical solution can actually affect the productivity of the sebaceous glands. This is why cleansing alone will not actually solve the problem. In order to experience real results in the reduction of acne symptoms among those with larger pores, the oil production must be targeted from within, in conjunction with keeping a clean surface on the outside.

Note to AcnEase^® users: We hear from many of you about how you’ve had success with shrinking your pores, so please feel free to share with those here! People need to see that without an internal treatment that rebalances the sebaceous glands, you will only get so far!

And now we want to hear your experience! Do you have a routine for keeping your large pores acne-free? Tell us in the comments below!