Enlarged pores on the face: causes and treatments

Why are pores enlarged?

Almost the entire surface of the skin has sebaceous glands, except for the palms and soles.
Most pores are found on the face, upper back, and chest. The structure of the sebaceous gland is the secretion zone and the excretory duct. The function of pores is to secrete sebum, a combination of water and lipids. Their activity is regulated mainly by steroids produced by the adrenal glands and sex hormones. Excessive production of sebum leads to the accumulation of secretions in the excretory ducts and expansion of the orifices. You need to solve the problem from a young age, but first you need to determine the reasons that caused it. There may be several provoking factors:

• heredity - mom and/or dad have skin with wide pores;
• hormonal changes in the body - during puberty, during pregnancy, during menopause;
• unhealthy diet - the diet includes fatty, smoked, salty foods, foods high in sugar, baked goods, fast food, sweet soda;
• diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and endocrine system;
• deficiency of macro- and microelements in the body - mainly vitamins A, zinc, iron;
• excessive passion for comedogenic cosmetics based on lanolin, glycerin, stearic acid and others;
• passion for tanning in the sun or in a solarium, so-called photoaging;
• use of low-quality decorative cosmetics;
• improper care - untimely makeup removal and so on;
• stress, alcohol abuse, smoking;
• frequent infectious and viral diseases;
• age-related changes - against the background of loss of firmness and elasticity, pores become more noticeable.

Also, the cause of porous skin is improper care - self-cleaning without observing hygiene and safety standards.

Moisturizing cream-gel Salises, Sesderma

Salises contains salicylic acid, which is indispensable for caring for oily skin prone to inflammation. Its antiseptic effect is enhanced by caffeine and chestnut extracts, which normalize microcirculation and lighten post-acne, and aloe promotes deep hydration and reduces excessive skin reactivity.

Steps to care for skin with large pores

On the one hand, such a defect spoils the appearance of the skin - there is no smoothness, there is bumpiness, a constant oily sheen. In addition, wide pores quickly become clogged with particles of dust and dirt, which leads to inflammatory processes and provokes the formation of acne and comedones. But, on the other hand, oily, thick skin ages more slowly than dry skin.

At the same time, the porous epidermis requires special care. Stages of morning procedures:

1. Washing with foam or thermal water based on salicylic acid, probiotics, but without alcohol or aggressive chemicals.
2. Toning with a mattifying effect. The toner will help dry the skin and normalize the pH level.
3. Application of sebum regulator serum. The product should contain oak bark extract, betulin, grapefruit and so on. Serum for day care and marked “For oily skin”.
4. Apply a treatment to the area around the eyes.
5. Day moisturizer with a light texture based on glycolic or hyaluronic acid.

It is also necessary to take care of protection from ultraviolet radiation. In winter, before going outside, treat your skin with SPF 30, in summer - SPF 50.

Evening care steps:

1. Makeup remover with micellar water or foam for thorough cleansing. A composition based on hydrophilic oil is also suitable.
2. Toning. The toner can be applied using a cotton pad and should not be rinsed off. A composition based on avocado oil, hyaluronic acid, squalene, and seaweed is suitable.
3. Treatment of the periorbital area - along the protruding parts, without affecting the skin of the lower and upper eyelids.
4. Apply nourishing night cream to slightly damp skin. A restorative concentrate with a deep moisturizing effect is suitable.

It is advisable that all skincare products be of the same brand, this way the maximum effect is achieved.

Moisturizer with mattifying effect Top Secret Instant Matte Pore Refiner, YSL Beauté

Walnut leaf extract, the main component of YSL Beauté moisturizer, stimulates cellular renewal processes and evens out skin tone and texture. With Instant Matte Pore Refiner you don't have to worry about your look: greasy shine won't bother you all day long.

How to narrow pores - cosmetic procedures

The technologies that aesthetic medicine centers use in their practice make it possible to achieve quick and long-lasting effects. Thanks to innovative techniques, the following results are achieved:

• deep exfoliation and cleansing;
• leveling the relief by grinding;
• elimination of post-acne and scars;
• activation of metabolic processes in the deep layers of the epidermis;
• regeneration at the cellular level;
• stimulation of collagen and hyaluronic acid production;
• evening out tone and achieving smoothness.

Cosmetic procedures for narrowing pores are used differently, each of them has its own characteristics.

Chemical peeling

The technique involves exposing the skin to acid. Depending on the composition of the drug, exfoliation can be superficial, medium and deep. To cleanse and narrow pores, the first two techniques are sufficient. Fruit, almond, and lactic acids are used. Salicylic peeling is suitable for skin with increased sebum secretion.

The procedures are characterized by safety, quick results and minimal risk of complications. The skin recovers after them in a short period, the effect lasts for six months. It takes 5 – 6 sessions to achieve the desired result. Exfoliation also gives a good anti-aging effect.

Hardware and manual cryotherapy

Thanks to the effects of cold, pores narrow, acne and its consequences are eliminated. Thanks to controlled treatment with liquid nitrogen, lymph flow and blood circulation are stimulated, and regeneration processes are enhanced. Inert gas tightens pores, smoothes the skin, tones, tightens contours.

Treatment is carried out in short exposure periods - 15 seconds is enough. After the procedure, a dense crust forms on the skin, which comes off on its own after a few days. After the session, the dermis becomes pinkish, and then acquires a beautiful shade, smoothness and velvety.

Microdermabrasion

Grinding of the epidermis using equipment and special attachments equipped with aluminum oxide crystals. Thanks to the effect, the surface layer of the skin is exfoliated, dead skin particles are removed, pores are narrowed, and blackheads disappear. The epidermis acquires an even color and structure.

The procedure is painless and does not require a long rehabilitation period. To achieve maximum effect, 4–6 sessions are required with a frequency of 1 in 10–14 days. It is better to carry out the procedure during the season of minimal solar activity: winter, spring and autumn.

Laser resurfacing

Modern cosmetology equipment allows you to achieve high results. The laser acts on the skin in a targeted manner, without affecting healthy areas. Innovative devices are equipped with cooling units, so the patient experiences virtually no discomfort during the procedure.

Before the session, preparation is required, the rules of which are explained by the cosmetologist. Care after grinding also plays an important role. The result is noticeable within a week - the pores are narrowed, the tone is evened out, the epidermis acquires a healthy glow and a beautiful color.

Enzyme mask Tri-Active Exfoliant Mask, IS Clinical

Proper exfoliation of dead skin particles is the key to beautiful and healthy skin. Pay attention to the enzyme mask developed by IS Clinical specialists. It heats up on its own when applied, which improves the process of cleansing pores and stimulates collagen synthesis. Dull skin and the first signs of aging are now a thing of the past.

How to deal with enlarged pores?

Independent measures will help in solving the problem, as they are part of a comprehensive methodology. Home care treatments include:

1. Masks. The composition should have several effects - cleansing, nourishing, moisturizing. You can purchase ready-made masks or make the product yourself. The following ingredients are suitable for this: lemon, ascorbic acid, B vitamins, potatoes, clay, egg white. This type of care is required 2-4 times a week.
2. Before applying the mask, cleanse your skin well. Homemade scrubbing can be done from sea salt, ground coffee, aspirin, almond crumbs, activated carbon. Oatmeal, honey, soda, and so on are added to the product. The skin must first be steamed. The procedure should be carried out 2 times a week.
3. Home peeling. Beauty products with a low concentration of chemical acids, night-time serums, mineral products, and so on are suitable. Can be done no more than once a month. It is recommended to consult a cosmetologist first.

Procedures using the Darsonval apparatus are also available at home. But to control special attachments, it is better to take a training course.

3-minute detox mask NightWear Plus, Estée Lauder

If your skin is dull, tired and stressed, be sure to include NightWear Plus in your skin care routine. This mask sets quickly on the skin to purify and illuminate, tightening pores and revitalizing right before your eyes. And all this in just three minutes, which means you can always find time for yourself. With regular use, skin condition noticeably improves.

Prevention

It is impossible to prevent a problem caused by genetics; such a defect requires complex action. In other cases, prevention will help avoid the formation of enlarged pores:

1. Stick to proper nutrition. The diet should include “slow” carbohydrates, vegetables, fruits, and legumes.
2. Maintain drinking regime. You need to drink as much water as your body needs. A deficiency will cause deterioration of the skin, and an excess of fluid will cause swelling.
3. Control hormonal levels. An endocrinologist will conduct an examination and advise you on how to achieve hormone balance.
4. Protect your face from ultraviolet radiation. Go outside after applying protective equipment. Sunbathe before 11 and after 17 hours.
5. Undergo routine medical examinations to prevent diseases.
6. Choose cosmetics (both skincare and decorative) according to your skin type.
7. Avoid stress and maintain a sleep schedule.

If you urgently need to disguise a defect, this can be done using a concealer and foundation with a light structure. But this can only be done in extremely rare cases. Enlarged pores require an integrated approach and maximum attention.

Moisturizing mattifying sebum-regulating emulsion Effaclar Mat, La Roche-Posay

Oily skin can also be overly sensitive. This means that it requires a special approach. For example, Effaclar Mat, which not only reduces sebum secretion and neutralizes shine, but also reduces the aggressive effects of external factors and free radicals. And the light texture of the emulsion will soothe inflammation and will not cause discomfort during use.

"Organic Shop"

The high temperature of the steam room is aimed at opening pores throughout the body and removing toxins from the body. That is why the cosmetic brand Organic Shop has released a steaming mask “Facial Bath 50 °C”. She incredibly quickly became a sales leader and won the hearts of millions of girls across Russia. The peculiarity of this product is its unusual consistency - quite thick, heterogeneous, with a large number of scrubbing particles. The intense herbal aroma allows you not only to care for your skin, but also to get the effect of aromatherapy.

The Organic Shop mask contains: glycerin, shea butter, chamomile and cinnamon leaves, tea tree essential oil and lavender extract. The manufacturer claims that this product is aimed at steaming the skin, has an antibacterial effect, prevents inflammation and improves skin condition. Apply the product to damp skin using circular movements and leave for 8-10 minutes. Customer reviews of the steaming face mask before cleansing show that it has a comprehensive effect, smoothes out the natural tone, exfoliates the stratum corneum and cleanses the skin of impurities.

Cream-gel with salicylic acid that regulates oily skin, Shine Refine Day, Kiko Milano

Kiko Milano follows trends and offers its fans not only decorative cosmetics, but also a care line. Shine Refine Day hydrates skin for a long time and slows down the appearance of unwanted shine. The gel texture melts onto the skin, saturating it with microelements and moisture, and the Actiglow complex enhances the durability of makeup.

Keep your skin clean

Those pores that appear to be the largest and most irritating are actually the ones that play an important role in skin health. Through them, natural lubricant is released - the so-called sebum (sebum). He helps Evgenia Makrantonaki, Ruta Ganceviciene, and Christos Zouboulis. An update on the role of the sebaceous gland in the pathogenesis of acne / Dermato‑Endocrinology retains moisture and prevents the epidermis from drying out. In addition, fat provides some protection from ultraviolet radiation, resists attacks from pathogenic bacteria and fungi, and can reduce inflammation.

We're talking about healthy sebum, naturally. But there is one caveat.

Sebum is a rather sticky thing. Dirt, particles of dead skin, and salt from beads of sweat settle on it. All this accumulates in the pores and begins to stretch their walls. Therefore, visually the pores become deeper and larger.

To prevent this, it is necessary to remove contamination in a timely manner. That is, it’s trivial to wash your face. Experts at the American Academy of Dermatology recommend Face Washing/AAD to be done by following a few key rules.

• Be sure to wash your face in the morning and evening.
• Wash your face every time you exercise or sweat heavily.
• Use a mild detergent (soap, gel) that does not contain alcohol.
• Wet your face with warm water and apply the cleanser with your fingertips. Do not use a sponge, washcloth, sponge or other equipment as this may cause skin irritation.
• Don't rub your skin.
• Rinse off the soap with warm water and pat your face dry with a towel.
• Be sure to apply moisturizer if your skin feels tight, dry, or itchy.

Sebum-regulating serum with green grapes Green Grape Pore Control Serum, Frudia

In summer, it is very important not to weigh down the skin with dense textures, so as not to aggravate the problems, but at the same time we must not forget about maximum hydration: without this, it will not be possible to cope with enlarged pores and unwanted shine. Green Grape Pore Control serum with green grape extract has a powerful antioxidant effect, mango butter softens, and eucalyptus leaf extract treats acne and restores the epidermis.

Day face cream with AHA glycolic acid! Revolution Day Cream, Mixit

Glycolic acid is one of the most popular exfoliators because it's hard to overdo, even for beginners.
And in this cream from Mixit it is supplemented with macadamia oil (a source of fatty acids) and extracts of green tea, rosemary, licorice and gotu kola, which have a complex healing effect (lymphatic drainage, bactericidal and sebum-regulating), which means the effect will exceed all expectations. Text: Svetlana Antonova

Treatment by a specialist

Most often, the cause of excessive oily skin in women is an imbalance of the hormonal system. In order to refute this or confirm it in a specific situation, you need to see a doctor and take tests, which he will evaluate and make a diagnosis.

I, Georgy Nikitich Romanov, am an endocrinologist, conduct face-to-face and online consultations for a fee. I know how to reduce oily skin and where to look to find the cause of the problem. I have enormous experience working with patients with various problems, and I have many grateful people who can live a normal life today.

To obtain information about a consultation and to sign up for it, you can contact me through one of the following sources: Vkontakte, Viber, Instagram, Skype, WhatsApp, Telegram.