What are open pores?

Human skin contains millions of pores from where the hair follicles are rooted. The same pores allow the skin to breathe and contain sebaceous glands that produce oil too. These pores on the skin allow sweat and sebum to reach the topmost surface of the skin. Open pores on the skin can vary in size ranging from small to enlarged pores. The open pores are caused by excessive sebum production, thick hair growth, aging, elasticity, sun damage, etc. These pores usually appear on the forehead, nose, and cheeks. 

Open pores are a common issue in adults and even adolescents who have acne-prone skin. It can appear in any skin type whether oily, dry, or sensitive. These occur when the pores are clogged with bacteria, sebum, dirt, or even dead skin cells. Aging skin contains less collagen and can contribute to larger open pores.

There are several reasons why one can get open pores and a few common ones include:

• High levels of oil production (sebum)
• Reduced elasticity around the pores
• Thickening of hair follicles
• Genetics
• Reduced collagen production due to aging
• Sun exposure.

Open Pores Treatment: Professional and At-Home Solutions

Understanding how to treat open pores starts with a good skincare routine. Here are some effective methods and treatments to help you manage and reduce the appearance of open pores.

• Hydration and Moisturization: Keeping your skin well hydrated is the simplest thing you can do to minimize open pores. Wash and pat dry your skin before applying moisturizer to help with skin hydration and softening. This is done to ensure that the ingredients applied and moisturizer are absorbed deep into the skin providing more effect. Ingredients like hyaluronic acid can be included in skin care for better hydration of skin. While choosing a moisturizer, go for a lightweight, non-comedogenic moisturizer to maintain moisture balance without clogging your pores.
• Proper Cleansing and Exfoliation: Exfoliation is a necessary step to eliminate unnecessary dirt and other matter that clog the pores on the skin. A wide range of exfoliants is available in the market which includes AHA, BHA, and PHA exfoliants, and salicylic acid which are safe for all skin types. However, Retinoids can also be used for exfoliation if you are not allergic and don’t have sensitive skin.
  An effective exfoliation can make the pores less noticeable and go as gentle as possible. You can always take expert advice if you are unsure about the ingredients that are safe for your skin type.
• Topical Retinoids: Retinoids are one of the perfect options if you have open pores. This powerful ingredient can even work on large pores. Retinoids can take up to 2- 4 months to start showing results. But consistency is the key here, overtime these will give you the desired results.
  If you have oily skin and mild acne, pores can appear larger. Using a skin care product with retinol or retinol palmitate can help you control damage caused by open pores.
  If the product irritates your skin, wash your face and wait for at least 30 minutes before applying the ingredient.
  Note: You shouldn’t use a product containing retinol or retinyl palmitate while pregnant or breastfeeding.
• Pore-Tightening Products: Skin tightening is an option that you can consider if you have saggy skin. The pores tend to look larger when the skin has sagged. You can go for serums and toners that contain ingredients like niacinamide which controls oil production. This can also help you in achieving a better skin texture.
  SwitzMark Pore Minimizer Face Serum improves the skin’s overall texture by tightening the pores and minimizing their appearance. Proven ingredients like Niacinamide, Glucosamine, phytic acid & hyaluronic acid remove the pore-clogging residue to refine the wide-open pores and enhance skin clarity by providing a uniform complexion.
• Sun Protection: Sun damage is another reason why the pores look larger. The more damaged your skin looks, the less firm the skin feels. Using a broad-spectrum sunscreen can provide strong protection against UV rays and UVB rays. Go for a non-comedogenic product while choosing sunscreen.
  Try SwitzMark’s wide range of sunscreens for all-round protection from UVA & UVB rays, blue light, and other harmful radiations. We also have different formulations for different skin types. Check them out below:
  For dry & sensitive skin: Shadow SPF 50 + Cream and Shadow SPF 30+ Cream
  For acne-prone and sensitive skin: Shadow SPF 50+ Gel
  For oily and acne-prone skin: Shadow SPF 30+ Gel and Shadow A-Gel SPF 30 Sunscreen
  For oily skin: Shadow SPF 50 Silicone Matte Cream

Home Remedies for Open Pores

Natural solutions are preferred by a lot when it comes to skincare. In most cases, when done right, these can be effective and give you healthier skin. Here are a few natural remedies to treat open pores:

1. Fuller’s earth or multani mitti: Fuller’s earth is a term for various clays used as an absorbent, filter, or bleaching agent. Products labeled fuller’s earth typically consist of palygorskite (attapulgite) or bentonite. Multani mitti is an excellent choice to treat your skin naturally. It removes the impurities that clog the pores on the skin and is also a good remedy for oily skin. The calming effect of the ingredient can give you soothing, glowing skin afterward.
   To treat large open pores on the skin, a multani mitti face pack would be a good choice. Multani mitti can be mixed with rose water/yogurt/tomato juice and turned into a paste for this use.
2. Gram flour/Besan: Gram flour or Besan, is another go-to choice, a natural ingredient to treat your skin. It is made from chickpeas and holds several beauty benefits. Gran flour can exfoliate your skin deeply and reduce the oil on the skin that is trapped in the pores.
   Besan can be mixed with yogurt and olive oil to make a paste. This can be applied on the skin and you can rub some ice afterward it is washed off for clearer-looking skin.
3. Oats: Oats can help you relieve irritation on the skin caused by open pores. Oats help you to gain back the lost moisture by hydrating your skin. It also prevents your skin from further damage while treating already damaged skin.
   Oats can be mixed with honey to make a paste. This can be applied on the skin and washed with warm water once dried.
4. Ice cubes: Applying ice cubes can shrink the pores temporarily by reducing the puffiness around them. Rolling some ice cubes on your skin can help you tighten the skin of your face and make the pores less noticeable.

Professional Treatments

Laser treatments are a common choice when it comes to seeking professional help to treat open pores. These are done under medical supervision at a dermatologist’s clinic or a medical spa. They boost collagen production and are better effective on larger open pores. 

Chemical peels can also help with open pores and are highly effective in tightening enlarged open pores. In this method, solutions like salicylic, glycolic, lactic, and trichloroacetic acids are used to clear the damaged layers of skin. The peels unclog pores and remove dirt, oil, and bacteria buildup that need deep exfoliation.

Diet and Lifestyle

Your diet and lifestyle also play a role in your skin’s health as it has a major effect on sebum production. Maintaining a balanced diet plays an important role in the skin’s health. Include fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fat in your diet for glowing skin.

A nutrient-rich diet can also make the pores on your skin less noticeable. Excessive consumption of sugar can have a reverse effect on minimizing open pores. Thus, a low glycemic diet should be followed as a part of giving your skin love and care.

Citrus fruits like lemons, oranges, and grapefruits that contain Vitamin C can power up your skin by boosting the production of collagen. The natural acids in fruit help with exfoliation. Avoid processed foods, fast foods, white bread, sugary drinks like soda, sports drinks, and sweet tea. 

Additionally, regular exercise and adequate hydration can also help with maintaining healthier skin.

Avoiding Pore-Clogging Products

Whenever you’re picking a topical product make sure it is skin-safe. Always choose non-comedogenic skin care products and makeup to avoid clogging of pores. Comedogenic products can get trapped in the pores of your skin and can add to acne, inflammation, and open pores on your skin. Until and unless you find products labeled as “non-comedogenic” or “oil-free”, do not use them.

It is not only the products that you use on your skin, but skin conditions like acne can also block the pores on your skin. Using salicylic acid and gentle cleansers can unclog these pores. 

Note: Regularly cleaning your makeup brushes and changing your pillowcases can help to prevent clogged pores.

Conclusion: As you age, the open pores on your skin, especially the ones on the cheeks, nose, and forehead appear larger due to less collagen production. This issue can be tackled easily by using skin-tightening products. Keeping your skin clean and avoiding overexposure to the sun are also important steps when it comes to treating open pores.

Scrubbing the face, picking on open pores and skin, etc. should be avoided to prevent further damage to the skin. When the open pores start itching or cause irritation, you should seek a dermatologist’s advice before it leads to more skin concerns. Speak to a doctor before taking any medication, as certain medicines may have severe side effects.

Reducing open pore visibility and tightening of pores can be done effectively with the help of the right use of the right skincare products. The thumb rule to achieve this along with a clear skin is consistency and patience!