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It seems everyone wants ‘poreless’ skin, but actually we need our pores for a healthy skin. What we don’t want is large, visible pores – these can make us feel self-conscious, and they’re the perfect environment for blackheads and pimples.

The good news is you can minimise enlarged pores and get the smooth, fine-textured skin you want. Here's a rundown of what you need to know.

Understanding Skin Pores

‘Glass skin’ and ‘how to minimise pores’ remain among the top searched skincare trends on the internet, telling us we wish poreless skin was a reality. However, these small openings play vital roles in our skin's health.

Why We Need Our Pores

Oil regulation

Pores help manage the skin's natural oil production, essential for hydration and forming a protective barrier against pollutants and germs.

Temperature control

Pores enable sweat release, which cools the body as it evaporates.

Skin cleansing

They facilitate the removal of dead skin cells, excess oil, and debris, preventing the build-up that can lead to acne and infections.

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Causes of Enlarged Pores

Sometimes, we’re born with enlarged pores because of our genes, so we can’t avoid them, unfortunately. Our skin's oil production is also a major factor.

Luckily, we can manage these causes to prevent our pores enlarging. And we can improve the appearance of enlarged pores. 

The top causes include:

Excess oil production: Hormonal changes, such as occur during puberty, pregnancy, and our menstrual cycle, can increase oil production. When we produce too much sebum, it can combine with dead skin cells and other debris, leading to clogged pores, which become stretched.

Improper skincare: Not cleansing properly can result in a build-up of dirt, oil, and dead skin cells, stretching pores. And using harsh skincare products can strip the skin of natural oils, causing irritation and increased oil production, making pores more visible.

Sun damage: UV exposure damages collagen and elastin, causing skin sagging and enlarged pores.

Ageing and menopause: Hormonal changes during menopause can lead to decreased collagen and elastin, reduced skin elasticity, and increased pore size.

Smoking and pollution: Free radical damage to the skin from exposure to both these factors contribute to enlarged pores.

Unhealthy lifestyle: Poor diet, lack of exercise, and insufficient hydration can adversely affect skin health.

Smoking and pollution: Both introduce free radicals that damage skin, accelerating ageing and enlarging pores.

Mechanical stretching: Regularly squeezing or picking at skin can physically stretch and enlarge pores.

How to minimise pores

Achieving smoother skin with less-visible pores involves a combination of controlling oil, keeping pores clear, and calming inflammation:

Your essential skincare routine

First, regular cleansing is crucial. Use a gentle exfoliating cleanser with mildly exfoliating AHAs, like our Youth Activating Cream Cleanser, to remove impurities from your pores daily.

Prime and soothe the skin. Our Youth Activating Essence calms irritation, strengthens the barrier, hydrates and replenishes skin energy.

Gentle but thorough exfoliation with exfoliating acids. Our Youth Activating Exfoliating Serum. Formulated with Polyhydroxy acid (PHA) and botanical actives, it so gentle, it can even be used on sensitive and rosacea-prone skin.

Used 2-3 times a week, it delivers long-term exfoliation, controls excess sebum (oil), and enhances skin renewal, improving the appearance of pores.

Choose oil-free moisture like our Youth Activating Microemulsion. The lightweight fluid gives you daylong hydration, as it strengthens and calms skin, leaving it radiant.

Daily application of sunscreen is a must to protect your skin from sun damage, which can worsen the appearance of pores. You will love our non-oily, non-ashy Youth Activating Invisible Mineral Sunscreen.

Our special Porefection Essentials Kit makes pore management super-easy for you.

Specialist treatments

A retinoid serum used twice to three times a week will help balance sebum production, enhance skin renewal and boost collagen production, which can reduce pore size over time.

Treat yourself to a hydrating and pampering sheet mask. It will deliver a concentrated dose of hyaluronic acid moisture and nutrients to your skin.

For very dilated pores, consider more intensive professional treatments such as chemical peels, microdermabrasion, laser therapy, and microneedling, all of which should be performed by licensed professionals.

Top pore friendly tips

• Look for non-comedogenic products when shopping for skincare and make-up. This means they are designed not to clog pores.
• Before applying foundation, use a pore-minimising primer to fill in pores and create an even skin texture.
• Avoid picking at your pores, as this can irritate your skin and make pores appear larger.

Remember, consistency is key. With a little patience and the right routine and our tips, you can get the smooth and clear skin you've been dreaming of.