The beauty of pore-minimising products

Enlarged pores and blackheads are one of the most common skincare complaints, yet most of us aren’t entirely sure why we have them, or how to get rid of them. We’ve taken advice from the experts to help you on your journey to healthier-looking skin (minus the large pores on your nose and cheeks!).

Pore-Minimising-products

Where do they come from?
Oil glands on our skin produces sebum (oil) which moves through the gland, out the pore and onto our faces. This process is mostly controlled by our hormones and when functioning “normally,” the oil will flow out of your pore and onto your skin easily. Problems arise when your glands produce too much sebum. The excess oil mixes with other substances in the pore such as dead skin cells. This makes it difficult for the oil to pass through the pore, and results in a clog. To compensate for this, the pore stretches to allow for more oil to flow out, and that’s when the dreaded clogged, enlarged pore develops.

What do they look like?
Sometimes an enlarged pore will resemble a small “hole” in the skin. Other times the oil and dead skin matter at the surface of the pore oxidises, turns black in colour, and then turns into a blackhead.

How can I treat them?
There is no way of reducing the size of your pores instantly and forever, but certain treatments and products used regularly will certainly help in minimising their appearance.

–      Avoid products that are too thick in consistency (such as rich moisturisers) or that have a creamy or oily texture.
–      Avoid harsh cleansers. They have a tendency to dry the skin, causing it to produce even more oil to compensate.
–      Exfoliate regularly. Not only will this help rid your skin of dead cells, but it will open the surface of your pores to allow for better oil excretion.
–      Use oil-absorbing facial tissues throughout the day, a good clay face mask once a week and an oil-absorbing serum under your moisturiser.
–      Ask your GP about birth control pills. Some are known to help reduce excess oil production by regulation your hormone levels.
–      Go for regular facials at a reputable salon where the beauty therapist is trained to remove blackheads without hurting and damaging your skin.
–      Be selective with your make-up. Thick, creamy foundations may be the cause of your clogged pores, and if you’re not washing your face thoroughly every night, that may be contributing too.

Pore-minimising products we love:

Esteé Lauder Idealist Pore Minimizing Skin Refinisher 50ml, R825

Clarins Pore Minimizing Serum 30ml, R365

The Body Shop Tea Tree Pore Minimiser 30ml, R125

Paula’s Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner 190ml, R260

Filorga Time-Filler Mat 50ml, R945

Other articles you may be interested in:
How can I reduce large pores on my nose?
Is it better to exfoliate dry or wet skin?
My oily skin is giving me breakouts, help!
How can I minimise my blackheads?
Fantastic face oils

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7 Responses

  1. Thanks for the great tips. I find it difficult to find good advise for people like me who have blackheads and dry skin.

  2. Thank you for the tips. My skin went from dry to oily (hormones) and I struggle with my pores. Will have a look at the products you mentioned. Any more ‘budget-friendly’ products to try?

  3. Would love to try these products, I suffer from blackheads and it seems impossible to get rod of them.

  4. Although I’ve got mature skin, I’ve still got an oily t-zone prone to enlarged pores but over the past 6 months I’ve managed to get it under control by making 4 essential changes: 1.twice weekly, gentle exfoliation 2.monthly facials to decongest my skin 3. never ever going to bed without cleansing and lastly using Lancôme Visionnaire over my serum and under my moisturizer. The combination of those 4 steps has improved my skin texture and appearance by about 80%. No more enlarged pores!

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