10+ Effective Ways to Quickly Minimize Your Pores

Pores play an important role in regulating the secretion activities of the skin and also serve as a protective barrier. Therefore, it is not possible to completely eliminate pores. However, you can still minimize them to make them appear smaller and create the feeling of smoother skin. Here are some simple but highly effective ways to reduce pores that you can easily incorporate into your skincare routine.

What do enlarged pores look like? Signs of recognition

Pores are essentially small tubes that contain hair follicles, sweat glands, and sebaceous glands on the skin. They help balance the moisture on the skin, protect against cold winds, and shield the skin from harmful bacteria.

However, in some cases, pores can become enlarged, making your skin appear rough, uneven, and less smooth. Enlarged pores are often accompanied by other skin conditions such as oily skin, acne, and especially blackheads. To address this issue, you first need to identify the underlying causes of enlarged pores.

Large pores make your face rougher

Why do we have enlarged pores?

Oily skin, sensitive skin

People with oily skin often have overactive sebaceous glands, which causes pores to frequently open up to release oil. Additionally, sensitive skin is prone to irritation and acne breakouts, which can make pores appear larger than normal.

Improper makeup application and removal

Many women wear makeup daily due to work or personal habits. However, heavy makeup can clog pores and stretch them out. Improper makeup removal can also leave skin rough and prone to breakouts, which can cause enlarged pores.

Exposure to sunlight

UV rays not only darken the skin but also decrease collagen levels, which can make pores appear larger. Wearing sunscreen is considered one of the most effective ways to reduce the appearance of enlarged pores.

Aging

As women age, pores become more noticeable. After the age of 30, collagen levels decrease significantly, causing pores to become slack and widen.

Genetics

Recent studies have shown that pore size is related to genetic factors. If your parents have large pores, you are also at a higher risk of developing this issue.

In addition to the above factors, using unsuitable skincare products, improper skin hygiene, and other factors can also contribute to enlarged pores.

Synthesize 10+ ways to reduce facial pores at home

Large pores on your face can make your skin feel rough and oily. Implementing ways to reduce pore size not only helps smooth out your skin but also decreases oiliness. Below are some of the most effective methods for you to consider.

Ways to minimize pores with natural ingredients

** Cucumber helps tighten pores

Cucumber to tighten pores

The cucumber mask has many benefits for beauty, including tightening pores. Here’s how to do it:

Method 1:

• Clean the cucumber and put it in the refrigerator.
• Cut off the ends of the cucumber, scrape off the white substance, and cut into pieces.
• Apply the cucumber slices to the face.
• Gently pat the mask for about 10 minutes, relax, and then rinse off with cold water.

By doing this 1-2 times a week, you will see quick results.

Method 2:

• Clean the cucumber, leave the skin on, and extract the juice.
• Mix the cucumber juice with 2 tablespoons of lemon juice and put the mixture in an ice tray.
• Once frozen, take out the ice cubes, wrap them in a thin cloth, and apply to the face for about 10 minutes.
• Finally, rinse your face thoroughly with cold water.

** Tightening pores with unsweetened yogurt mask

Unsweetened yogurt contains lactic acid and beneficial bacteria that help brighten the skin, reduce dark spots, and tighten pores.

Here’s how to do it:

• Apply unsweetened yogurt to the face and massage for 15 minutes.
• Then rinse your face thoroughly with water.

This method is very simple, right! Apply it twice a week to feel beautiful every day!

** Shrink pores with green tea

Green tea is known for its various benefits such as anti-aging, reducing the risk of cancer, and improving skin health. Here’s how to shrink pores with green tea:

• Brew a strong cup of green tea and let it cool down.
• Pour it into an ice tray and freeze.
• Take a green tea ice cube and wrap it in a soft cloth.
• Apply it to your face in circular motions for about 10 minutes.
• Rinse your face with clean water.

** Reduce blackheads and shrink pores with lemon

Lemon is a familiar, inexpensive, and easily accessible beauty ingredient. It contains natural acids that help exfoliate and gently cleanse the skin, resulting in clear pores.

Here’s how to do it:

• Mix 1 tablespoon of lemon juice with a small cup of filtered water and half a cup of cucumber juice.
• Wash your hands thoroughly and gently massage the mixture onto your skin.
• Rinse your face thoroughly with water.

** Tighten pores with an egg white and lemon mask

Mix egg white and lemon together, then apply the mixture onto your face for about 10 minutes and rinse with clean water.

As the egg white dries, it will help remove dirt and debris that are trapped in your pores, acting like a gentle peel-off mask to reveal clear pores.

** Use a honey, sugar, and olive oil mixture to treat large pores

Mix sugar, honey, and olive oil together, then gently massage it onto your face in circular motions. This mixture will help cleanse your skin, remove impurities, and provide nourishment for smooth and soft skin, while also reducing the size of your pores.

Ways to shrink pores with cosmetics

** Clay mask for pore-tightening

Apply a clay mask to help absorb oil

Clay mask is a “best friend” for oily-skinned people with large pores. This mask helps to remove excess oil and dirt on the skin, making the pores clean and easily breathable.

** Use Azelaic acid to treat large pores

Azelaic acid is a component found in grains such as wheat and barley. Recent studies have shown that this substance has the ability to fight against P. acnes bacteria, which is the cause of inflammatory acne and blackheads.

Using Azelaic acid in topical form not only reduces acne but also effectively shrinks pores.

** Treatment for large pores with vitamin A derivatives

Vitamin A has anti-aging and exfoliating effects, helping to remove the keratinized layer on the skin’s surface. For those with oily skin and lots of blackheads, topical vitamin A is the perfect choice. One of the most prominent extracts of vitamin A is Retinol. However, you need to research carefully on how to use it to avoid skin irritation.

** Shrink pores with AHA

AHA is a term referring to natural acids such as glycolic, citric, and lactic acids. When applied to the skin, they help remove dead skin cells and accelerate the skin’s regeneration process. Nowadays, AHA is present in many skin care products. However, you should pay attention to the concentration because products with higher AHA concentration can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight.

Treating large pores with modern technology

Non-invasive technology for pore minimization

Microneedling is considered one of the most effective modern technologies for pore tightening. This technique uses tiny needles to create controlled damage on the skin, triggering the body’s natural healing response to eliminate dead cells and produce new ones, resulting in smoother, tighter pores.

This method provides quick results, and you can notice significant changes after each treatment. Furthermore, microneedling also helps with acne scars, hyperpigmentation, wrinkles, and overall skin rejuvenation.

However, during the process, you may feel some discomfort, and it’s essential to take good care of your skin after microneedling. It’s recommended to seek reputable clinics such as Beauty Spa to ensure proper technique without irritation or infection.

Pore minimization with Doctor Laser CO2 technology

Doctor Laser CO2 technology uses suitable wavelengths to penetrate the dermis without affecting the surrounding area, making it an effective treatment for large pores, scars, and skin rejuvenation.

Advantages of Doctor Laser CO2:

• No pain or skin damage, unlike microneedling.
• Short recovery time without prolonged downtime.
• The speed of results depends on individual skin condition and response.
• If you have good skin condition, you may see positive changes after the first treatment.
• Fast treatment duration that doesn’t require a lot of time.

Similar to microneedling, after laser treatment, it’s crucial to protect your skin from the sun and use serums and moisturizers to aid in skin recovery.

Skincare routine to minimize enlarged pores

• Wash your face twice a day with a facial cleanser, remove makeup at night and exfoliate once a week to keep your skin clean and unclog pores.
• Use toner after cleansing to deeply cleanse and tighten pores, balance skin’s moisture level.
• Apply serum to provide nutrients to the skin, choose products with ingredients such as HA, Niacinamide, BHA, vitamin C, E…
• Moisturize your skin with a hydrating cream.
• Apply sunscreen daily with a minimum SPF of 30+.
• If you have oily skin, use blotting papers to avoid excess oil, prevent clogged pores and shine.

Important note to reduce the condition of large pores

Avoid over-washing your face

Washing your face is an important step in any skincare routine. However, you should not overdo it by washing your face too many times a day. This is because facial cleansers can strip away the natural oils on your skin, leading to dryness and stimulating even more oil production.

You should only wash your face twice a day and prioritize using gel-based cleansers to avoid drying out your skin.

Washing your face too many times will dry out your skin

Develop a healthy diet and lifestyle

Eating a healthy diet and limiting fatty foods, oils, and spicy foods can prevent excessive oil production and larger pores. Your skin is also a reflection of your overall health. Drinking enough water can help keep your skin hydrated from the inside, contributing to smaller pores on the face.

In addition, regular exercise can increase blood flow to all parts of the body, including the skin. Exercise helps sweat, creating a natural antibiotic that protects the skin from bacterial attacks. However, note that sweat can also clog pores, so after exercising, you need to cleanse your body thoroughly.

Limit makeup

You should only use makeup when necessary and prioritize simple styles with thin and light foundation. Too much makeup and not removing it properly can also cause larger pores.

Do not squeeze pimples

Squeezing pimples improperly can make the condition worse, causing inflammation and spreading infection to surrounding areas. At this time, the skin lesions will be more difficult to heal, and the pores will also be stretched wider.

When you have acne, you should go to a spa or a dermatology center to be examined and guided on safe and effective treatments.

Choose safe and suitable cosmetics for your skin

People with larger pores often have oily or sensitive skin. Therefore, you need to be careful when choosing cosmetics. You should prioritize products with natural extracts, safe, and gentle for the skin. Especially, you need to stay away from products with unclear origins, mixed creams, and low quality.

In particular, the condition of larger pores often accompanies many other problems such as acne-prone skin, excess oil, and scars. When performing professional beauty treatments, you can also address other imperfections on the skin.