What are pores?
Pores are small openings in your skin. Oil and sweat reach these small openings from the glands in the body.
The pores allow the natural oil from your sebaceous gland to reach your skin and keep it moisturized and healthy. Thus, pores are present on your skin.
Can you shrink your pores?
You cannot physically shrink your pores as it is genetically determined but, you can minimize its appearance and make your skin look toned.
You also need to ensure that your pores are thoroughly cleaned to make your skin look smooth.
How to shrink your pores with non-natural methods?
1- Retinol
Retinols are Vitamin A based anti-aging creams. It will keep your skin toned and tight and hence minimize the appearance of your pores.
2- Glycolic acid
Glycolic acid will exfoliate the surface of your skin and cleanse your pores to keep your skin smooth.
3- Salicylic acid
Salicylic acid will deeply clean your pores and keep your skin healthy and smooth. It will prevent acne and blackheads because of its deep exfoliating effects.
4- Lasers
Lasers can be used to make your pores look smaller. They induce collagen remodelling to keep your skin healthy.
How to shrink your pores with natural methods?
Steam your face for 5 minutes before you try these remedies for best results. It will help in unclogging your pores and allowing the treatment to penetrate into your skin and clean the skin.
1. Egg whites
Use egg whites to get smooth skin. Egg whites will regulate your skin's oil production and help in tightening your skin.
How to: Whisk two egg whites and apply it on your skin. Wash it off after 30 minutes with cold water.
Frequency: Use this mask thrice a week.
2. Apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar can maintain the pH balance of your skin and will tone your skin. It also has anti-bacterial properties to prevent acne and blackheads.
How to: Mix equal parts of distilled water and apple cider vinegar. Apply the toner on a cotton pad. Wipe your skin with this toner after cleansing your skin. Apply your moisturizer after this step.
Frequency: Do this every day after cleansing your skin.
3. Ice cubes
Ice will help your skin tight and toned.
How to: Take an ice cube and wrap it in a clean cloth. Rub it on your skin in circular motions for 20 seconds.
Frequency: Do this twice a day every day for best results.
4. Cucumbers
Cucumber is a natural astringent to minimize the appearance of your pores and to tone your skin. It will also hydrate your skin and keep it soft.
How to: Grate a piece of cucumber and squeeze out its juice. Take the juice in a cotton pad and apply it on your skin. Wash it off after 30 minutes with cold water.
Frequency: Use this solution thrice a week for best results.
5. Baking soda
Baking soda can maintain the pH balance of your skin. The tiny particles will help you in removing excess oil and dirt from your pores.
How to: Mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda with half a tablespoon of water. Scrub your skin with this mixture gently and then wash it off with cold water.
Frequency: Use this scrub twice a week.
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6. Bentonite clay
Bentonite clay will draw out the dirt and impurities from your pores to keep your skin healthy.
How to: Mix 2 tablespoons of bentonite clay with 1 tablespoon of rose water. Apply this mask on your skin and wash it off after 30 minutes.
Frequency: Use this mask twice a week.
7. Rose water
Rose water will maintain the pH balance of your skin and minimize the appearance of your pores. It will also tone and soothe your skin.
How to: Take some rose water on a cotton pad and wipe your face with it. Apply this after cleansing your skin.
Frequency: Use this every day.
8. Argan oil
Argan oil can minimize the appearance of your pores and keep your skin toned. It will also keep your skin healthy and glowing.
How to: Take 5 drops of argan oil and apply it on your skin. Massage your skin for a minute and then wash it off after an hour.
Frequency: Do this twice a week.
9. Fuller’s earth
Fuller's earth or Multani mitti will regulate your skin's oil production and treat blackheads and acne.
How to: Mix 2 tablespoons of fuller's earth with 1 tablespoon of rose water. Apply this mask on your skin and wash it off after 30 minutes.
Frequency: Use this mask twice a week.
10. Papaya
Papaya has properties to unclog your pores and keep it clean. It will also keep your skin smooth and clear.
How to: Mash 5 small pieces of ripe Papaya until it forms a paste. Apply it on your skin and wash it off with cold water after 30 minutes.
Frequency: Use this twice a week.
How to prevent your pores from looking enlarged in the future?
Make sure you follow the 4 beauty tips to make sure your pores do not look enlarged.
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Cleanse your skin with a gentle cleanser every day to keep your skin clean. Tone your skin with a toner to maintain the pH balance of your skin and to minimize the appearance of your pores. Moisturize your skin with an oil-free and non-comedogenic moisturizer to keep your skin smooth.
Exfoliation
Exfoliate your skin twice or thrice a week to keep your pores clean.
Use a mild exfoliator and scrub your skin in circular motions.
Makeup removal
Always remove your makeup before you go to sleep, otherwise it would clog your pores and lead to acne and blackheads.
Non-comedogenic products
While you are buying a skincare product or makeup, always opt for non-comedogenic products.
Heavy products with ingredients like mineral oil will clog your pores and make it look enlarged.
Now that you know everything about minimizing the appearance of your pores, its time you get a toned skin!