Understanding the Causes of 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!
Enlarged pores are a common concern for people of all ages and skin types. They often appear on the face, particularly around the nose, cheeks, and forehead, and can give the appearance of uneven skin texture. While pores are a natural part of our skin, excessive oil production, ageing, sun damage and congestion can all contribute to enlarged pores.
In some cases, enlarged pores are hereditary, and while you can’t completely change the size of your pores, there are several environmental changes you can make to reduce their appearance and create a smoother skin texture.
Assess your skin care routine
If you’ve been using harsh products designed to strip away excess oil and treat blemishes, it may be time to switch to something a little more gentle. Products that contain harsh actives and artificial fragrance can cause irritation and dry skin - causing your sebaceous glands to increase oil production in an attempt to replenish and balance the skin’s moisture levels.
Opt for balancing cleansers that offer a deep clean without the irritation or fragrance, such as LAMAV’s Sweet Orange Balancing Cleanser. This refreshing cleansing gel was specifically formulated to clean and balance oily and combination skin. Containing Papaya Extract, Desert Lime and Mountain Pepper Leaf to assists with hormonal acne and breakouts, along with Fruit derived AHAs to encourage cellular turnover, this one is sure to minimise the appearance of your pores. With the added benefits of Aloe Vera and Glycerin you’ll ensure skin maintains hydration while enjoying a deep clean.
Whilst it’s important to ensure your products are non-irritating, it’s also equally important to use non-comedogenic products that won’t increase risk of blockages. Avoid heavy oil or cream based products that may cause excess oil and enlarged pores.
Double Cleansing
Now that you’ve found a suitable cleanser, it’s important you use it properly. To get the most out of your daily cleanser, follow the below cleansing tips:
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Always use lukewarm water to avoid inflammation that will enlarge pores.
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Complete a double cleanse at night to ensure all makeup, SPF and excess oil is removed prior to applying your nightly skincare products.
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Cleanse for 60 seconds in gentle circular motions and be sure to focus on the t-zone along with crevices around the nose, jawline and don’t forget the hairline!
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If you’ve completed a thorough double cleanse at night, there’s no need to scrub and strip your skin in the morning. Simply wipe away excess oil with a damp face cloth to prevent over-stripping the skin and potentially causing excess oil production.
Exfoliate with Naturally Derived AHAs
Whilst our skin naturally turns over every 4-5 weeks, this exfoliation process slows with ageing which can lead to reduced collagen and elasticity that keeps the skin plump and smooth. Manually exfoliating your skin can help to remove dead skin cells that can block pores, trapping excess oil, dirt and bacteria in the process. Regular exfoliation helps to clear away dead, dull skin and improve the appearance of the skin’s surface. By keeping the skin surface clear, exfoliation minimizes the appearance of pores and helps prevent breakouts.
Regular use of exfoliants that contain AHA’s can promote deep exfoliation and encourage cellular turnover without the need to aggressively buff the skin. This can also help to stimulate the production of collagen and elastin to reveal smoother, brighter, more luminous skin.
LAMAV exfoliators contain a concentrated blend of five botanical extracts—bilberry, sugar cane, sugar maple, orange and lemon—naturally rich in AHA’s to boost the skin’s turnover and help to combat the effects of premature ageing, including enlarged pores and dull skin.
Incorporating an exfoliant into your routine 2-3 times per week is generally enough for most people to see results without irritating the skin. Any more than this could cause further inflammation, leading to more breakouts and enlarged pores.
Moisturize (Regardless of your skin type)
If you have an oily skin type and have been skimping on the moisturizer in the hope of balancing your skin’s sebaceous activity - you may actually be causing further oil production issues. Using the right moisturizer daily will actually help balance and protect the skin. Opt for lightweight or oil free moisturizers such as LAMAV’s Skin Balancing Fluid. You’ll get all the benefits of hydration minus the heavy residue.
Toners to minimize pores
There are many types of toners available on the market that target a variety of skin concerns. Using the right toner can help to tighten the skin while encouraging further exfoliation and minimizing the appearance of enlarged pores. Toners that contain probiotics will help to balance the skin’s microbiome, leading to a calm and healthy complexion. You can find probiotics along with naturally derived AHA’s in LAMAV’s Probiotic Toner. A few sprays of this toner in between cleansing and moisturizing will help to reduce inflammation while minimizing the appearance of enlarged pores and imperfections.
Use a gentle Retinol Alternative
Vitamin A derivatives (aka retinol and retinoids) are known for their ability to boost collagen production, increase cell turnover, and unclog pores. Over time, regular use of Vitamin A can help improve skin texture and minimize the appearance of pores, however it may also come with serious irritation and sun sensitivity.
Try swapping harsh Vitamin A products for Bakuchiol - nature’s natural Retinol alternative. Derived from the leaves and seeds of the Babchi plant, bakuchiol is a powerful bioactive used traditionally in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine to support skin health. Containing anti-inflammatory properties, it also assists in the treatment and reduction of blemishes, enlarged pores and pigmentation without any of the harsh side effects of retinol. It is suitable for those with sensitive skin, use during pregnancy and those who are seeking a plant-based retinol alternative. Find it in LAMAV’s Bakuchiol 4% Booster.
SPF - The Non Negotiable
Just because you have oily skin it doesn’t mean you can skip the sunscreen. Oily skin or not, all skin types need SPF protection on the daily. Sun damage has many well-known health risks and it can also damage and irritate the skin resulting in less elasticity, enlarged pores and textured skin. There are plenty of mineral based sunscreen options available on the market that offer oil free SPF solutions, along with extra protection from mineral makeup such as LAMAV’s BB Cream and Mineral Foundation Powder.
At Home Treatments: Use a clay mask
Clay masks are a great way to absorb excess oil and purify the skin, making them an ideal pamper product for home use. Apply a clay mask that isn’t too drying and contains skin loving ingredients. LAMAV’s Award Winning Glow Beauty Mask is packed full of anti-inflammatory turmeric, vitamin c and kakadu plum to brighten, protect the skin and improve tone. The addition of Australian Yellow Clay delivers an instant detox to decongest without drying or irritating the skin.
Makeup and Skin Hygiene
It’s a common misconception that people with oily or blemish prone skin have a dirty complexion. While “dirty” skin isn’t the root cause of enlarged pores and blemishes it certainly doesn’t help the appearance of enlarged pores. Here are some simple hygiene practices you should focus on to ensure you’re not contributing to the problem.
Don’t sleep with makeup on!
This is a pretty obvious one, but something that can happen when you’re busy or just too lazy at night. We get it, jumping into bed is more appealing that standing at the sink completing a double cleanse, however the effort is absolutely worth it! Leaving your makeup on while you sleep locks in all the dirt, oil and bacteria that has accumulated throughout the day into your pores. When not given a chance to breath overnight you’re likely to wake up with enlarged pores and excess oil. If you know you’re someone who falls into this category there’s a few things you can do to help yourself out when it comes to makeup removal every night. Simple changes such as washing your face as soon as you walk through the door and keeping makeup remover wipes next to your bed will give you a better chance of ensuring this important skincare step is completed before you hit the pillow.
Similarly, makeup brushes can build up a lot of bacteria and product after a few uses so it’s important to clean makeup brushes weekly to avoid spreading bacteria. If you’re too lazy to wash them, invest in a brush cleaner for a faster alternative. And don’t forget to change your pillow cases weekly!
Hydration & Healthy Lifestyle Choices
In addition to using the right products, focusing on health from the inside out will always show through your skin. Drinking plenty of water and focusing on clean, anti-inflammatory foods can help to keep skin hydrated from the inside out, remove toxins and maintain elasticity for a smooth and clear complexion.
Expert Skin Treatments
Sometimes stubborn skin conditions need a little more than a good skincare routine. If you’ve made the right skincare and healthy lifestyle choices and are still not seeing improvement with enlarged pores, it may be time to turn to professional treatments. Treatments such as microdermabrasion, micro-needling, laser treatment and peels may have more of a noticeable impact to improve skin texture and pore size.
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
