3 Essential Tips for Minimizing Enlarged Pores

The second most asked question we get from customers, after “How to get glowing skin” is “How to get rid of enlarged pores.” While the ideal answer to this question would be, “Apply this, and your pores will shrink overnight.” Truth be told, minimizing pores is not an easy task. Enlarged pores are one of the most stubborn skin concerns. It affects both men and women, regardless of their age, ethnicity, and skin type.

The primary cause for the appearance of enlarged pores is the formation of blackheads. When sebum hardens inside the pores, the formed clogs expand pores’ diameter and make them look bigger. Apart from blackheads, other factors which contribute to the formation of enlarged pores are aging, genetic predisposition, and poor skincare habits.

Because we believe that every skin concern has its solution, today, we’d like to share with you 3 basic (but essential!) tips to help you minimize enlarged pores and achieve pore-free, flawless skin!

Exfoliate & Tone Regularly

When dead cells build up on the skin surface, they make the release of sebum from the pores more difficult. When sebum gets trapped in the pores it hardens over time and expands its diameter – in most cases permanently. Things get even worse when impurities “join the game” and you end up with a face, full of blackheads. 

If you want to avoid the above-mentioned skin disaster, all you need to do is get your hands on a good facial scrub ( suitable for your skin types) and start using it 2-3 times a week.

Note: I’d like to mention that overdoing exfoliation is not recommended, because it can damage the skin and strip it of its natural oils, which, as you can guess, will lead to more sebum being secreted.

Now let’s get to toners. The main purpose of toners is to tighten the pores, refresh the skin, and hydrate in depth. Thanks to their astringent properties, toners visibly reduce pore size and make skin’s surface look more even. The market offers a great variety of toners you can choose from, but please have in mind that they may contain alcohol, which is a big no-no if you want pore-free skin (we’ll explain why in a bit), so – shop smart.

What To Try: LAMAV Probiotic Toner

A unique blend of probiotics that helps to balance the skin’s microbiome while boosting skin's immune health for a vibrant, healthy complexion. 

Control Excess Oil Production

Usually, enlarged pores and excess sebum secretion go hand in hand. Face masks are a great way of cleansing your skin in-depth and absorbing excess oil, but what’s even better is to manage to “trick” your sebaceous glands into producing less oil in the long run i.e. balance sebum production. Below are 3 very basic, but proven-to-work, tips for oil-free skin:

Avoid harsh cleaning products (especially those formulated with SLS and SLES)

SLS and SLES disrupt the skin’s natural lipid barrier which inevitably leads to increased sebum production. The more sebum your skin produces, the more likely are your pores to get clogged

and enlarged.

Try natural vegetable oils

If your sebum is thicker (i.e. more likely to clog your pores), chances are the levels of linoleic acid in your skin’s surface lipids are low. The most natural way to get the levels of linoleic acid back to normal is by incorporating vegetable oils into your skincare routine. Oils that are rich in linoleic acid include Wheat germ oil, Tamanu Oil, Rosehip Oil, Hemp Seed oil, etc. Use them instead of moisturizer or for “oil cleansing”. 

Stay away from products formulated with alcohol

Alcohol is extremely drying therefore, when applied topically it stresses your skin out making your sebaceous glands secrete more sebum, an attempt to compensate for the lack of moisture.

Boost Collagen Production

With age, the production of collagen and elastin decreases, and our skin starts to lose elasticity and firmness. Sadly, this also leads to the

the appearance of enlarged pores. If you have enlarged pores that are a result of aging, rather than hyperactive sebaceous glands, the best thing you can do is to stock up on skincare products enriched with antioxidants and collagen-boosting ingredients, such as:

• Vitamin C
• Hyaluronic acid
• Vitamin E
• Glycosaminoglycans
• Natural acids
• Natural peptides

Taking good care of your skin and providing it with all the important nutrients it needs will always pay off and the results won’t be late. Be

persistent and patient – your skin will thank you. Last but not least – don’t forget that it’s not just what you put on your skin that matters. Sticking to a balanced diet is crucial for preserving your skin youthful, glowing, and healthy. 

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