Large pores can be quite upsetting. They make your skin look imperfect, dull and unsmooth. Though, pore size is genetic, it is possible to reduce their appearance. They may vary depending on the type of skin you have. Aging, sun damage, improper hygiene, use of bad/low quality products and cosmetics can make your pores bigger in size.
Luckily, you don’t have to suffer for the rest of your life with large pores. The following remedies will help you fight the problem of enlarged pores and reduce pore size.
Cleansing to Reduce Pore Size
Cleansing
Cleansing skin is the first step in preventing enlarged pores, breakouts and irritation while maintaining the integrity of the skin’s structure. Always cleanse the skin first thing in the morning to remove dead skin cells and embedded oil. A bar soap, cleansing gel, or cleansing oil works to remove pore clogging residue, keeping the complexion clean and supple while minimizing the occurrence of enlarged pores.
Steaming
Steaming the facial skin is a wonderful way to open up the pores and remove the dirt and debris that is clogging them. For a do-it-at home steam session, place your head over a pot of hot water with a towel draped over the head and the shoulders. Be careful to avoid hot water burns. Steam the facial skin for five to ten minutes. Follow with a light moisturizer.
Baking Soda Exfoliation for Large Pores
To close large pores, mix two tablespoon of baking soda to a cup of warm water. Apply this baking soda toner on nose, chin and forehead to remove dead skin cells and get clear and closed pores.
Salt and Buttermilk
Buttermilk has lactic acid, which is a skin exfoliant, and hence great for treating dead skin cells and grime that could be trapped inside large pores. Take buttermilk and add some salt to this. Mix to form a paste and rub on the affected area for a few minutes. Leave it on for fifteen minutes after this. Rinse off with water. This will help in keeping the skin free of dirt and excess oils.
Ice Cubes
Ice cubes are excellent for shrinking the pores and they are an instant remedy that can be used before you use your makeup. This will help in leaving the skin smooth looking and also prevent the makeup from entering the pores and cause problems like acne and infections.
Take an ice cube and after washing your face thoroughly, rub it all over your face and neck for a few minutes. Ice cubes will constrict the blood vessels and pores and will give an even looking and less porous skin before you apply makeup. This can be done every time after you wash and clean your face so that dirt and grime do not enter the large pores.
Tomato Toner
Tomato paste or juice can help to cure large pores problem in a fast way. Tomato has excellent astringent qualities, which help to eliminate extra oil and shrink the apparent size of large skin pores. Place the paste or juice of tomato on your face for 20 minutes and wash off.
Other Home Remedies to Reduce Pore Size
Oatmeal Mask
Oatmeal (when used as a face mask) is an effective and natural way to fight the problem of huge pores. Since oatmeal is known to be hypoallergenic, it does not clog pores. Make a mask containing oatmeal, honey, apple cider vinegar to minimize pores, tighten skin and enhance your skin complexion.
Honey
Honey is famous for its medicinal, cosmetic and healing properties which makes it a favorite among most people. It can be used on the skin for natural toning and closing of the pores and also reducing the excessive oiliness of the skin which is among the main factors for open pores in the first place.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is another natural toner with astringent qualities that can be used for closing large pres. Apply a diluted solution of apple cider vinegar after cleansing your face and wiping it thoroughly. Allow it to air dry before applying makeup.
Egg White
Egg whites work as natural dryers of the skin and thus they greatly help in shrinking the pores and helping with the problem of open pores. They are excellent to lighten the skin and also help in unclogging the pores as they pull out the impurities from the pores.
Fuller’s Earth
Take two tablespoons of fuller’s earth and mix it with one tablespoon of honey and milk. Combine all these ingredients properly. Apply it all over your face. Wash off after 15-20 minutes with cold water. This will nourish your skin, and lessen the open pores.
Tea Tree Oil to Shrink Pores
Tea tree oil is a powerful home remedy to fight oily skin, acne and shrink the large and open pores. To unclog pores, mix 3 to 4 drops of tea tree oil in one cup of water. Pour the lotion in a clean spray bottle. Spray this versatile toner over your face twice a day. Clean your face of any impurity or make up before applying the toner. You can also use cotton to apply this natural toner to shrink large pores.
Sandalwood
Take one tablespoon each of sandalwood and turmeric powder and add a few drops of almond oil to it. Make a paste of all three ingredients and apply gently over your face and around the neck. Leave it for 20 minutes and wash your face with cold water. It will revitalize your skin and minimize the occurrence of open pores to a great extent.
Papaya Mask
To tighten the big pores, you can try papaya face mask. It will help to shrink the facial skin pores. Make a smooth paste of raw papaya and gently scrub your skin in circular motions. Let it sit on your face for 20 minutes. Wash it off with lukewarm water.
Rose Water- Cucumber Juice
Mix a few drops of rose water in cucumber juice and dab it on your face, and rinse after 15-20 minutes. This will lessen your open pores. Moreover, silica in cucumber improves the skin texture and gives you a fair complexion.
Almond Meal
Applying almond meal to your skin helps refine pores and diminishes their appearance. Make your own almond meal by pulsing 1/3 cup almonds in a blender until you achieve a powdered consistency, or purchase almond meal at well-stocked supermarkets and natural health stores. Combine two parts almond meal to one part water to create a thick paste, and spread gently over enlarged pores in an even layer. Leave the mixture on for 30 minutes, rinse with tepid water and pat your skin dry. Repeat the treatment two to three times a week for the best results.
Sugar and Olive Oil Scrub
Take 2 tablespoon of sugar; add 1 tablespoon of olive oil and a few drops of lemon juice. Mix all the ingredients and gently rub on your face for 20 to 30 seconds. Clean it with cool water. For better results, use this remedy once in a week.
WARNING: Don’t Pick!
When your pores are clogged, there is nothing harder to fight off than the desire to pick and poke and prod. Just don’t! When you are pulling and squeezing your skin, you can cause trauma to your pores which can leave them permanently enlarged. Plus, you’re adding dirt and oil from your hands to the mix which can cause breakouts and infection. Let the products work for you.