How do you get rid of pores?
First things first, you can’t get rid of pores.
We may have become accustomed to photos of models that are so airbrushed they don’t appear to have a single pore, but they definitely do.
The millions of pores across our skin - the body’s largest organ - are vital to its functioning. They regulate our temperature by producing sweat, and moisturise our skin by producing oil.
However, you can minimise the appearance of enlarged pores - and this page is going to explain how.
What are pores?
Pores are tiny openings in the skin. Humans have two types of pores:
Hair follicles - contain a hair follicle and a sebaceous gland, which produces sebum, the natural oil our skin uses to moisturise and protect
Sweat pore - secretes sweat to prevent our body from overheating
Pores appear to be enlarged when they become clogged. This can be caused by our sebaceous glands overproducing sebum or a general build up of dirt and grime on the surface of our skin.
Pores can also appear enlarged if our skin is dry or has lost some of its natural elasticity due to age.
How to minimise pores: 6 steps
Clogged pores are fairly easy to treat, provided you use a consistent daily routine. Here are five ways to reduce the appearance of enlarged pores:
Wash your face morning and night
Use clean fingers, a gentle cleanser, and warm water to remove daily build up of oil and dirt from the skin’s surface. But avoid rubbing or scrubbing, as this can irritate the skin, and pat your face dry with a clean towel.
For anything from normal to sensitive skin, Haeckels Marine Facial Cleanser is great. It cleanses without disturbing your skin’s natural balance and provides nutrients to soothe damaged skin. Oilier skin.
Skin up and Tonic less of a foaming agent. Better for sensitive skin.
Learn more about cleansers here.
Exfoliate twice a week
Removing dead skin cells and excess sebum is the single best thing you can do to unblock clogged pores. You should opt for a gentle exfoliant that removes excess oil and dirt while nourishing the skin. But remember, you shouldn’t exfoliate more than twice a week as this can dry out the skin.
Nini Organics Coffee and Cacao scrub is a gentle scrub that uses cleansing clays and coffee to lift impurities, and contains Vitamin C to protect your skin by enhancing it’s cellular turnover.
If your skin is sensitive to friction, Mad Hippie Exfoliating Serum is great for deep cleansing and removing blackheads while keeping skin smooth.
Or try Haeckels Salicylic Powder if you’re looking for a more vigorous exfoliant. It uses crushed willow bark, a natural and gentler form of Salicylic acid, which strips away dead skin cells to reveal the bright, polished skin beneath.
Learn more about exfoliators here.
Mask up
Clay-based masks absorb sebum - a great way to gently ‘lift’ the blockage from clogged pores without irritating or damaging the skin. They can be used once or twice a week.
Try a clay-based mask like Lena Wild Harmony Rescue Mask. It contains detoxifying white and green clays, and deep cleansing active plant ingredients.
Always remove make up and don’t use it as a cover up
It’s tempting to use thick, heavy makeup to cover up spots or enlarged pores. But this short-term solution only serves to exacerbate the problem. Likewise, leaving your makeup on overnight is certain to clog up your pores.
Olixa’s Gummy Cleanser is great for cleansing and makeup removal. It has a unique texture that, when combined with water, turns milky, and washes right off.
Keep hydrated
Dehydrated skin is tighter, which makes pores appear stretched. Using a natural moisturiser daily will keep your skin nice and hydrated. It also forces the sebum produced by your pores to remain beneath, rather than on, the surface.
Try Haeckels Eco Marine Facial Cream. As well as hydrating your skin, it stimulates the production of structural skin proteins, improving elasticity and tone.
Or for gentler hydration, use Nini Organics Crimson Beauty, a water-based serum that uses hyaluronic acid to moisturise, and quora noni, which maintains the balance of your skin microbiome.
Avoid sun damage
As above, skin damage can dry out the skin and make pores appear larger. Use a moisturising sun cream with an SPF of at least 30 - such as Everyday Humans Resting Beach Face - and avoid exposing your face to too much direct sunlight.
Why not try our re:lax Curates: Purify set? It includes three products that have been specially chosen to help you deep cleanse your pores for brighter skin, all for just £92.
