
3 care rules
Enlarged pores are common on oily skin; they cannot be reduced or eliminated, but they can be made less noticeable with proper care.
If you’ve inherited oily or combination skin, you’ve also inherited enlarged pores. There is no way to shrink them, which is the bad news. The good news is that with proper care, you can keep pores clean and less visible. Clogged pores can develop into blackheads or acne on acne-prone skin, but here we focus only on enlarged pores as a primarily aesthetic issue.
WHY DO PORES ENLARGE?
Clogging: Accumulated layers of dead skin, sebum (oil), and dirt build up in the pores and cause them to expand.
Loss of Elasticity: Due to aging or damage, the skin loses elasticity, making it harder for pores to expel their contents (sebum, impurities) and causing them to enlarge. Skin also ages rapidly due to UV radiation, so the sun also contributes to enlarged pores.
3 CARE RULES
1. Cleansing: Thorough but gentle.
Over-cleansing stimulates excess oil production and pore congestion, and squeezing out pore contents can worsen the condition. DAILY: Use a gentle facial cleanser in gel form morning and evening. If you wear makeup, thoroughly remove it in the evening before washing your face.
Recommendation: Korres Olympus Tea Cleanser with plant-based antioxidants.
Introducing a toner with low concentrations of acids for gentle nightly exfoliation is also a good idea. Experiment to find which acid suits your skin: if glycolic acid irritates, try salicylic, almond, or lactic acids.
Recommendation: The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% – an exfoliating toner with soothing ingredients.
WEEKLY: Use a non-abrasive scrub (enzyme or chemical). Overly strong or frequent scrubs can worsen the condition by causing additional oil production and pore-clogging, creating a vicious cycle.
Recommendation: Esthederm Osmoclean Gentle Deep Pore Cleanser – gentle enough for deep pore cleansing on sensitive skin, 2-3 times a week.
Masks are also helpful. Clay in purifying masks strongly absorbs oil and impurities from pores. Clean pores appear less noticeable. Don’t overdo it as clay can dry out the skin and cause new thickening.
Recommendation: Malin+Goetz Clarifying Clay Mask – clay with plant extracts and fatty acids from sunflower seeds, cleanses, hydrates, and soothes.
2. Regular Hydration
Oily skin sometimes seems like it doesn’t need any cream – however, delivering and maintaining moisture is important because dehydrated oily skin leads to additional thickening pore congestion, and expansion. Opt for lightweight hydration based on hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and peptides.
Recommendation: Susanne Kaufmann Hyaluron Serum with various types of hyaluronic acid and algae, hydrates without being greasy.
Introducing retinol into your nightly routine will increase skin elasticity, provide anti-aging effects, and prevent further pore enlargement. Recommendation: If you are experienced with retinol, we recommend The Ordinary Retinal Emulsion. If you are a beginner, try The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2%.
3. Protect from the Sun
UV rays accelerate the loss of skin elasticity, contributing to greater pore visibility. Choose a lightweight product with filters covering a broad spectrum of UV radiation. Do not use the same sunscreen for your face and body during the summer – body sunscreens are often oilier and may clog your pores. Sunscreen is essential every day of the year when you go outside.
Recommendation: NIOD Survival SPF30 with mineral UV filters in a silicone dispersion, rich in antioxidants.
PLUS TIP: Get rid of the magnifying mirror from the bathroom! It doesn’t help in shrinking pores but contributes to unnecessary frustration.