If you look in the mirror and notice your skin texture doesn’t look quite as even and smooth as you’d like, large pores could be the culprit. Pores are the holes in your skin that sweat is released from. Everyone has pores, and most of us have pores that are visible to the naked eye, at least on some areas of our faces. However, when they become clogged by dirt, bacteria, perspiration, and even excess oils it can cause enlarged pores.

One of the most popular questions in the beauty industry today is “how to shrink pores.” But aside from removing a layer of skin there is no way to actually change the size of your pores. While it’s impossible to shrink your pores, there are ways to minimize their appearance and create a more flawless, finished look that leaves you feeling radiant.

What Are Pores & Why Do We Have Them?

Even if you have beautiful, clear skin, you probably get frustrated with your pore size from time to time. Unless you were born with porcelain doll skin and pores so tiny you need a microscope to see them, you’ve probably spent a few minutes gazing in the mirror wondering why they’re so visible.

The pore refers to the opening of the hair follicle on the surface of your skin, which extends down through multiple layers of skin. Inside the follicle are small glands which produce oil called sebum. Sebum travels up the follicle and helps coat your skin to protect it from bacteria, viruses, and environmental skin damage. Sometimes, though, the pore gets blocked, which can result in acne.

Knowing your pores are important probably doesn’t change the fact you don’t like them appearing so large. Large pores are usually located in the T-zone area of your face; the forehead, nose, and chin, although some people may have large pores on their cheeks and jawline, too. Unfortunately, pore size has more to do with your DNA, and less to do with what miracle pore-reducing skincare products you see on social media.

What Causes Pores to Look Big?

Genetics Pore size is largely genetic and directly correlates to how oily your skin is. People with large pores on their faces often have family members with large pores. If one or both of your parents have oily skin or visible pores, your chances of having large pores are higher.
	Hormones Hormones can also be to blame for pores that are larger than we like. Androgens encourage higher production levels of sebum, which can create pores that are visibly larger, or that appear larger.
Clogged Pores When excess sebum mixes with dirt and dead skin cells on the surface of your skin, it becomes sticky and can clog your pores and form a blemish. The blemish won’t change the size of your pores, but it can create inflammation, which makes the pore appear larger than it is.
	Age As you grow older, your skin loses its elasticity, which causes your skin to stretch and sag, making the pores on your face appear larger. Your skin also thickens as you age, which causes miniscule skin cells to gather around your pores, making your pores look bigger.

How To Help Minimize the Appearance of Your Pores

1. Use Natural Skincare Products 

The best products for minimizing pores do not include alcohols, fragrances, or dyes. Many companies try to convince consumers that their formulas are safe because they do not list any ingredients on the label that have been proven to be harmful to your skin. What they fail to mention is that these chemicals often create the most problems. They clog your pores, irritate your skin, cause allergic reactions, and eliminate the need for harsh cleansers. So, start using Natural Skincare Products with plant based ingredients

One of the best natural ingredients to look for in your products is hyaluronic acid. This is a protein that provides the strength for your skin to remain healthy. It promotes a higher amount of natural hyaluronic acid in your skin. Hyaluronic acid helps protect your skin from the effects of aging.

2. Use a Good Face Cleanser

Radiant skin is the way to go when looking for the best products for clear skin. Pores clogging can easily be avoided with the right cleansers. If you have acne or are prone to getting acne breakout’s then you need to start using a daily facial cleanser twice a day.

Using a product like Raybae’s Refreshing Rosehip Cleanser uses clean, natural ingredients to cleanse your skin. Instead of triggering more sebum production, this cleanser uses rosehip seed oil to nourish the skin and help balance production.

3. Use Water-based Moisturizers

There are so many different moisturizing formulas that you can find in today’s beauty market, so choosing the right one to help in minimizing pores can be stressful. However, you can never go wrong with a water-based moisturizer since all skin, regardless of type, age and color needs moisture to stay healthy and heal if damaged. Oily and breakout-prone skin especially needs moisture — the body produces more oil as a natural reaction to dry skin, and acne scars require hydration to fully recover. Check out the Deep Water Day cream and Deep Water Night Cream by Raybae, which are both water-based, and contain natural ingredients like Jojoba that provide ample benefits for your skin!

4. Start Using a Retinoid

Retinol is a form of vitamin A or, more specifically, a type of retinoid which is derived from vitamin A. Vitamin A is essential to cell division, meaning it helps move along new cell growth for regenerative purposes. Retinol is one of the most active forms of vitamin A. Though vitamin A itself isn’t a retinol, the two are structurally similar. This similarity allows retinol's magic to result in its ability to increase your skin's collagen production, while simultaneously decreasing its oil production, which leads to smoother skin, fewer breakouts and blackheads, and tighter pores.

Because retinol can be irritating at first start by building up your skin's tolerance by using retinol only once a week for one week, twice a week for two weeks, three times a week for three weeks, and then, only if you’ve had zero irritation thus far, apply it every other night indefinitely. We recommend using a Retinol Serum which will have a higher formulation that will provide the best results. Apply a few drops of the serum on clean and totally dry, wait five minutes for it to absorb, and then apply your water-based moisturizer. On the nights you do not use the serum, consider using a collagen mask to help nourish and replenish your skins hydration.

5. Wear Sunscreen

Sunscreen is a very important part of your skincare routine. Some sunlight can be good if you have proper protection from overexposure. But too much ultraviolet, or UV, exposure can cause wrinkles, dry skin, sunburn, and even skin cancer. It is so important to keep your skin protected from the sun and other harmful rays!

6. Be Gentle

It can be easy to go overboard when it comes to cleansing and exfoliating your skin but scrubbing your face won’t help your enlarged pores. If you feel tempted to pick, squeeze, or scrub your pores into nothingness, take a deep breath. Going on the attack won’t do much to minimize your pores.

In fact, picking at, squeezing, or digging into your pores can irritate your skin and cause your pores to look more noticeable. With each step of your skincare routine, make sure to be gentle to avoid irritating your skin. Instead of harsh scrubbing, gently massage your skin when you cleanse. And remember, it’s always best to avoid picking or poking pores.

7. Check Your Makeup

When it comes to makeup, it can seem like a double-edged sword.  While we may want to conceal our faces till, we look like our skin has been photoshopped. Caking on makeup or using thick products may mask pores but will more than likely end up clogging them. To avoid expanding your pores, try to use only noncomedogenic makeup, especially if your skin happens to be oilier or prone to acne.

The Takeaway... 

Pores that are large and in charge aren't most people's cup of tea—myself included. While we may not be able to do anything about having pores, we can help reduce their appearance with a few skincare adjustments.

By following the tips above we can all find our radiant glow that will have all your friends asking for your secret beauty tricks!

For more Skincare Tips, Tricks, and all things natural skincare - Check Out Raybae’s Beauty Blogs!