I get asked all the time about pores. Generally about how to reduce their size more than anything. Pore size can be really difficult to treat but there are are a few things that you can do at home to help reduce the appearance of them.
WHAT MAKES PORES LOOK LARGE?
There are a few different factors that can make your pores appear larger than they actually are. Here are some reasons...
DRY SKIN
If your skin is not well hydrated, the skin can look dull and dehydrated. Thus making the pores appear larger
HEAVY MAKEUP
If you are using a really 'cakey' foundation, this can sit in your pores and also make them look bigger and also more emphasised.
BLOCKED PORES
When your pores are filled with sebum/makeup/dead skin cells etc and you have not had a regular facial, the pores can 'fill up' with a lot of junk. This stretches the pores and again can make them appear larger.
SO WHAT CAN BE DONE?
REGULAR EXFOLIATION
This is such an important step in your weekly skin routine. If you can, exfoliate once with a physical exfoliator (such as my Exfoliating Pearls) and once with a chemical exfoliator (such as the Nimue Exfoliating Enzyme). The combination of the two should give a really nice result and keep those pores looking clean.
HYDRATION
Ensure you're using the correct products for your skin type. Anything that is very 'deep cleansing' or for more oily skin will dry it out a bit. Especially if your skin is not too oily, this will make it worse. When your skin is hydrated, it will plump up and those pores should be less visible.
AVOID HEAVY MAKEUP
As I mentioned above, this can block pores and actually widen them to make them appear larger than they are. If you wear a large amount of makeup every day, ensure you're doing a double cleanse in the evening to keep those pores clean. My Cleansing Beauty Balm is great at removing all traces of makeup and it does not strip the skin of any natural oils either.
WEAR AN SPF
Sun exposure can break down collagen and elastin in the skin. This make your skin lose the 'plumpness'. Without it, your pores can be more visible due to a coarser texture in your skin. Try the Nimue SPF 40 for great sun protection.
AVOID SQUEEZING PORES
Leave it to us pro's. If you start getting your nails in and other implements (I'm sure you know what I'm talking about!), you can cause redness and inflammation. If your pores look clogged, book in for a facial where we can steam the skin properly and carefully extract blemishes without causing damage.
FACE MASK
Clay masks are great as they absorb excess sebum that can build up on the skin and lead to more visible pores. Use one once a week after your exfoliation to see the most benefit. I love the Nimue Clarifying mask as it's deep cleansing, but does not dry the skin.
LUMINOUS COLLAGEN THERAPY
Probably the most natural treatment to reduce pore size that I offer. This actually changes the structure of the skin and allows the pores to rebuild themselves. It boosts collagen production and can really smooth the skins surface. I love this treatment so much. I recommend a minimum course of 6 to help with pore reduction.
I hope you've found this useful and given you some ideas.
Thanks so much for reading,
Emmaline