Skin pores are actually just the outlet ducts for hair and sebum, which is just an oil that helps to prevent your skin from drying out. Pores are home to hair follicles and, as such, cover your body from head to toe (except the palms of your hands, the soles of your feet, your eyelids, and a few other limited areas.) The size of the pores on your body is determined by genetics, with some people having larger pores and some people having small pores. Here are five ways to minimize pores size.
1. Remove Debris
Debris, dead skin, and oil can get trapped in pores. Over time, the accumulation of this material can cause pores to stretch and thus make them more noticeable. To reduce the amount of debris trapped in your pores, look for a cleanser that contains salicylic acid, which is particularly good at clearing away dead skin cells.
2. Exfoliate
Just like a good cleanser, exfoliation can remove debris and dead skin that would otherwise get trapped in your pores. The key to exfoliating is to do it daily. A gentle scrub with a warm wash cloth or other exfoliating agent will reduce pore size dramatically over time. After you exfoliate, be sure to apply a high-quality moisturizer to prevent inflammation and oil secretion as your skin attempts to replace lost oils.
3. Use Pore Strips
Pore strips are just pieces of cloth that you put on wet and let dry. When you peel them off, they pull dirt and dead skin off with them. They are usually targeted at problem regions like the nose, though you can use them anywhere. Pore strips can be purchased in just about any pharmacy or beauty aisle, but they can also be made at home. Use them daily to see the best results.
4. Remove Blackheads
Blackheads and whiteheads are related in that both contain dead skin, oil, and bacteria. Whiteheads have a layer of living skin over them whereas blackheads do not. Blackheads appear as small, dark spots on your skin and are the first stage in the development of acne, so it is a good idea to remove them. Once they are gone, you’ll have visibly smoother skin. Removing blackheads can be difficult and while careful cleansing will get rid of many of them, it won’t take care of them all.
5. Steam Bath
Boiling a pot of water on the stove and the putting your face directly over it for fifteen minutes or so is a great way to help open your pores. When you are done, rinse your face with clean water and pat it dry with a soft cloth. You can also use the steam bath as a preparation to more radical cleansing procedures, like blackhead removal.