How To Minimise Pores

Whether people are dropping into the dermatologist for laser treatments, oily skin problems, or acne consultations; pores are always high on the list of things to ‘get rid of’.

Can you get rid of skin pores? 

The short answer is no, you can't get rid of skin pores. 

We need these tiny hair follicles to allow the oil produced by our sebum glands to keep the surface of our skin hydrated, supple and healthy. Typically pores do a great job of sweeping out dead skin cells and dirt that settle on the skin’s surface themselves, however, sometimes the system goes awry. Debris gets trapped inside, blocking and enlarging pores. This can lead to uneven skin texture and inflammation that causes blemishes and acne. 

Can you actually reduce your pore size?

While we need skin pores for the healthy functioning of our skin, it's sometimes the size and visibility of those pores that can cause undesirable effects. The good news is that there are a number of things you can do about visible pore size which will support your skin in its natural processes and improve its overall texture and appearance.

While eliminating pores may not be an option, there are some ways you can minimise the appearance of pores.

How To Minimise The Appearance Of Pores

Often when people want to minimise pores, what they're really looking to do is reduce the appearance of pores. There are a number of ways to reduce the visibility of facial skin pores that will give the overall effect of smoother, clearer skin.

Unclog Pores With Diligent Cleansing

Cleansing - it's the basis of any great skincare routine and it will also help you minimise the appearance of large pores. Unclogging pores will not only reduce the visibility of pores, but it will also support your skin in balancing the natural oils and boost skin cell turnover which can give your skin a smoother appearance.

Here's how to unclog your pores:

1. If pores are clogged with dirt and old skin cells, try using salicylic or glycolic acid to gently dissolve build-up and encourage clogged pores to return to their normal size. Manual exfoliation can also help slough away debris and create a more even skin texture. But, if you really want to up the pore minimising game and reduce clogged pores, try the Intense Clean Workout Booster. It’s brilliant for deep cleaning pores and exfoliating away dead skin cells and dirt that clog pores. Powered by Skin IV™️ technology, the Intense Clean Booster treats a number of specific skin needs to improve tone and texture with shots of vitamins and acids such as Glycolic, salicylic, vitamins A , E and C, to refine skin texture and even out skin tone.
2. Consider your cleanser. Whether your main concern is oily skin, dry skin or sensitivity, cleaning thoroughly for your skin type is an essential step in keeping pores minimised. Make-up, dirt and pollution can easily clog pores, enlarging their appearance. Make sure you cleanse daily (morning and night if your skin can tolerate twice daily cleanses) to thoroughly remove. We recommend our Electro-Lite Gel Cleanser - its gentle gel-to-foam formula with exfoliating Biotech Enzyme and Hydroclay works to deeply cleanse and refine the skin’s texture, keeping your skin in tip-top condition all day. If you have sensitive skin, it's important to use the appropriate products for your type, to ensure you don't exacerbate any skin problems, so a light gentle cleanser is ideal.
3. Prime before foundation. To stop foundation settling into pores and enlarging their appearance, apply a pore minimising primer. It veils uneven skin texture to make your foundation sit more smoothly and evenly, and helps prevent foundation from clogging up your pores.

Wear Sunscreen To Minimise Enlarged Pores

Aside from excess oil and clogging, did you know that pores can also become enlarged as a result of collagen breakdown from ageing and exposure to UV? 

That’s why sunscreen tops the list of things we can do to shrink pores back to normal. As collagen breaks down, pores lose their tightness, making them appear larger. So, as part of an effective regime to minimise pores, always use a broad-spectrum screen to protect against UVA and UVB rays. 

Sensitive, Dry, Oily Or Combination Skin? Know Your Type

It can be really helpful to know your skin type, so that you can identify the best products and routines for you, ie the ones that will work with your skin and not make skin health problems worse.

Perhaps you have overactive sebaceous glands or oily skin that requires a little extra attention or specialist skincare products. Or maybe you have combination skin that is a little more forgiving, allowing you more flexibility in your skincare routine. Maybe you struggle with dry skin that seems to just drink in your skincare products. Or perhaps your main skin care challenge is sensitive skin that needs more TLC and careful consideration of the right products and active ingredients.

Whatever your skin type, you will be better placed to take the right steps towards smoother skin texture if you know your individual needs.

As an added bonus, when you take good care of your skin and monitor any changes, you'll soon get to know what products, skincare routines or lifestyle habits promote the smooth, flawless skin you're after - where large pores are less visible or minimised as much as possible.

You'll also identify which are the most effective actions in helping to minimise pores, or the appearance of larger pores, and what can make things worse, such as the wrong products (eg dry skin products for oily skin), or the wrong regime, or even layering products in the wrong order.

Three Top Tips For Minimising Pores

For a flawless-looking complexion:

1. Protect your skin against UV.
2. Keep pores clog-free.
3. Know your skin type.

While there are a number of ways to look after your skin that will enhance the overall texture, if you're keen to reduce the appearance of large pores or visible pores, these are the three top tips that can help you minimize pores and enjoy visibly smoother skin.