Open pores 101 — here are the best open pores treatments at home that can help you claim back flawless skin.
While pores are essential for healthy skin and a functioning skin barrier, enlarged pores are a menace. People with combination or oily skin frequently have open pores, which leads to the buildup of dirt and clogged, dull skin. When a clog develops, it can fill the pore and give it a distended appearance. When this persists, the collagen and elastin fibres holding the debris may overstretch, giving pores an overall larger appearance. The pores might revert to their original size if the clog is removed. According to a 2016 study, the major causes of enlarged pores are:
- Excessive sebum: When your sebaceous gland produces extreme amounts of oil, it leads to oily skin and clogged pores.
- Decreased elasticity around the pore (when the skin becomes less supple).
- Increased hair follicle volume
- Sun damage or over-exposure to the sun
Clogged pores can cause blackheads, pimples, and other skin problems if left unchecked. If open pores are the bane of your existence, open pores treatments at home are a godsend for you. Here are some of the popular open pores treatments that you must try:
Ice cubes
Applying ice cubes on your face is one of the best open pores treatments at home. While rubbing ice cubes on your face sounds bizarre, this traditional wisdom is backed by research, so it’s not just an old wives’ tale. Applying ice to the skin tightens and calms the skin by causing blood to rise to the surface. It is one of the most effective open pores treatments at home since icing your skin regularly helps to reduce the appearance of enlarged pores and could be used to clear pores that have become clogged with dirt and excess sebum. Since this chilly facial tones the face, it gives your skin a smoother, flawless appearance. Even though icing is one of the safest open pores treatments at home for most skin types, if you have sensitive skin or skin that responds to temperature changes, exercise caution. Also, avoid icing your face more than once a day.
Clay mask
Detoxifying your skin with a clay mask is another one of the best open pores treatments at home. Applying face masks is one of the most calming and revitalising beauty rituals to indulge in. When your face is feeling oily and needs some TLC, clay masks are one of the best open pores treatments at home. It removes impurities from the skin and soaks up excess oil to keep your skin looking squeaky clean and fresh. I recommend choosing contemporary formulations that combine the advantages of high-performing clays like bentonite, kaolin, fuller’s earth, and rhassoul with moisturising ingredients in soothing textures, making it a win for all skin types. To avoid dried skin, use them twice a week, don’t let them dry completely, and don’t leave them on for more than fifteen minutes.
Exfoliation
If you want to minimise the appearance of your pores, exfoliation is one of the best open pores treatments at home. By removing debris, dead skin cells, and oil, regular exfoliation helps clear clogged pores. I recommend exfoliating your face once or twice a week on average. Exfoliating too often can harm your skin. You can pick between two different exfoliating techniques depending on your skin type:
- Physical exfoliation: Physical exfoliation involves manually exfoliating the skin with small granules. Physical exfoliation methods can also include microdermabrasion procedures and the use of washcloths and face mitts with rough surfaces that remove dirt and dead skin cells.
- Chemical exfoliation: Alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs), beta-hydroxy acids (BHAs), or fruit enzymes are used in chemical exfoliation. Chemical exfoliation is one of the most effective open pores treatments at home as the chemical exfoliants remove dead cells, grime, oil, and impurities, thus reducing the appearance of pores and giving you a smooth texture.
To learn more about open pores treatments at home, schedule a consultation with me. To book a consultation with me, click here.