Clogged Pores: A User’s Guide to Cleaning and Shrinking Them

Can You Really Shrink Your Pores?

The pores of our skin are a much-discussed topic. Yet, many of us might be at a bit of a disadvantage if asked to explain what a pore is and why they can be problematic in terms of skin care and appearance. So, let’s get right into those topics and give crucial answers to help you start to look and feel your best. Nobody likes to have clogged pores.

What is a Pore?

The word pore is not meant to describe human skin alone. Pores are openings in the surface where particles or fluids might pass. Pumice stone, for example, is porous (containing many pores). The pores on our skin are similarly designed and are tiny openings from which oils, hair, and other compounds pass out to the surface. Our pores are also openings that cleansers and other materials might enter.

As the experts at Dermstore explain though, there are five very important things we should all know about our pores:

1. “They are actually hair follicles.
2. Their appearance is largely determined by genetics.
3. Environmental factors, aging, dry skin, oil, and acne can all make your pores look bigger.
4. Regular cleansing can help minimize the appearance of pores.
5. Too much cleansing can actually cause your pores to produce more oil.”

What they don’t mention, though, is that pores can increase in size and can also become clogged. This is why we see so many products promising to shrink pores or even make them so small as to no longer be visible to the naked eye.

However, one solid fact (as mentioned above) is that pore size is genetic, or as one physician said, “You can minimize the appearance of your pores, but because pore sizes are genetically determined, you can’t really shrink them.”

That being said, however, our “pores can get stretched out when they’re consistently clogged, which makes them appear bigger.” So, unclogging them is a wise first step. After that, we have to think of other issues, such as aging and loss of collagen that allow the skin to stretch without rebounding back to its original, youthful form.

First, though, let’s figure out if it is clogged pores that are altering the appearance of your pores.

Related: Acne Causes, Treatments, and Covering It Up!

Why Do Pores Clog?

Ask medical experts about the reasons for clogged pores, and they’ll say they are “the result of dead skin cells getting trapped in your skin instead of being shed into the environment… When pores are clogged, it can result in blackheads, whiteheads, and acne…You can tell if your pores are clogged if you notice whiteheads, blackheads, or an overall dullness to your skin’s complexion.”

Our environment will also contribute to the development of clogged pores. For example, our pores become blocked because of:

• toxins in the air
• noncomedogenic makeup
• oil from your hands transferred when you’re touching your face
• sweat

Any of these factors can lead to a darkening of the pore, an expansion of the pore’s opening, or clogged pores. This causes the pore to become “noticeable,” and to require some sort of attention that can help to minimize their appearance.

Related: Blackheads: Everything You Need to Know

Unclogging Your Clogged Pores

Many will think that the only way to unclog pores is to commit to a radical daily cleansing regimen, but that is not the only way. Washing daily is likely to keep them as free and clear of materials that could clog or expand them, but there are other steps to take.

Before we look at them, we need to look at several questions often asked, and directly associated with pores and pore size. They are:

Can you actually shrink pores?

Are there any procedures to reduce pore size?

How can you minimize the appearance of pores?

The short answer to the first two is a basic “no”. Genetics are at work where your pore size is concerned. You can clear and minimize pores, though, and so it is the answer to the last question on which we’ll focus the most attention.

The team at ELLE says that prevention is the key, noting that the “best way to prevent pores from getting larger is to exfoliate and to wear sunscreen.” We agree. Removing debris from pores through exfoliation, and preventing damage that allows pores to experience “laxity” are the two key ways to prevent them from looking larger or actually expanding.

Related: Dermaplaning 101 – What is It and Should You Have It Done?

11 Things You Can Do to Stop the Process of Increasing Pore Size

1. Use a primer as it can camouflage the look of pores
2. Be gentle and avoid aggressive cleansing that might cause wrinkles or acne while increasing pore size
3. Get a facial every 30 days, or so to do professional extraction (cleaning individual pores) and exfoliation
4. Use a daily exfoliation treatment that relies on salicylic acid or lactic or glycolic acid since they can soak into the individual pores, break up the clogs, keep them clean, and increase skin cell turnover
5. Stay hydrated to ensure the skin is as plump and soft as possible, and apply a topical hydration product such as hyaluronic acid
6. Use retinoids to boost cellular turnover and support natural exfoliation
7. Always moisturize at least once daily and go for one with SPF
8. Apply sunscreen several times daily – indoors or out – to keep the skin safe from UV damage that enlarges pores
9. Use an at-home mask to purify the skin and shrink the pores. Use a mask with “ingredients such as clay or charcoal work by absorbing oil out of pores.”
10. If all else fails, think about a professional laser treatment that can use nonablative lasers to increase collagen and plump the skin

And are there specific ingredients that a product should contain if it is to offer the best results? Yes, there are a few ingredients everyone should be using, and some they must avoid if they want to fix their pore situation.

Related: Microdermabrasion – The Smooth Skin Secret

The Must-Have Ingredients

In the list above, we mentioned salicylic acid, and it is important that this is incorporated into the skincare regimen aimed at reducing pore size. As one doctor explained, “Salicylic acid exfoliates differently than alpha hydroxy acids like glycolic acid and lactic acid. Salicylic acid is oil-soluble, meaning it’s able to get inside pores to gently push out dead skin, bacteria, sebum, and any other pore-clogging debris.” By removing that debris from your pores, your pores will appear smaller.”

Chemical peels are also suggested, and though no specific ingredients are cited, you may want to speak with a dermatologist about the right option for your skin type and condition.

Retinoids are another must-have ingredient because they stimulate collagen production and cellular turnover. “New” skin is often plumper and dewier (two terms that can also translate to more youthful), and more youthful skin is often skin in which the pores are not noticeable or detectable. Collagen is also a natural skin firming agent that reduces the look or appearance of pores.

Prevention Magazine says that retinol is “the golden child of the skincare world: it slows signs of aging, prevents breakouts, and keeps your pores open and healthy… clear clogged oil and dead skin cells to make pores appear smaller.”

Sunscreen may not seem like an “ingredient,” but it is important to use it on a daily basis. This is because UV rays have a tendency to harm the skin and cause the loss of collagen. This leads to sagging skin and a more distinct appearance in pore size as the skin stretches and loses elasticity. Applying sunscreen whether you are indoors or outdoors is going to cut down on UV damage, moisten the skin, and minimize pores and pore damage.

Related: Everything You Need to Know About Salicylic Acid

And if “illusion” is an ingredient, the experts say to go for a bit of that, too. This is because, as one doctor said, anything “that plumps up the skin can make pores appear smaller.” They suggest investing in a microdermabrasion tool or treatments that cause the skin to plump and regenerate. Microneedling is a similar solution, and it is best done by a professional. It will create “injury to the skin by poking it with a cluster of tiny needles in order to jumpstart collagen production… the treatment is hugely popular in dermatology offices because it generates a healthy-looking complexion at about half the cost of laser work. Along with brightening and tightening the skin, reducing fine lines, and improving acne scars, part of the treatment’s allure is in what it does for pore size.”

Some experts also suggest a filler. As one article explained, “Studies show that fillers can stimulate collagen production and reduce the size of pores…By injecting hyaluronic acid fillers somewhat frequently, you can gradually build collagen, leading to better structural support for the walls of the pores, and ultimately giving them a smaller appearance.”

Steam is also an ingredient or tactic that can minimize pores by opening the pores, causing you to sweat and cleanse the pores, and eliminating the materials that are enlarging them and making them noticeable. Use steam for 10 minutes and then gently cleanse and moistures the face. Applying anti-inflammatory essential oils is also a popular treatment post-steam or cleansing. Choose an anti-inflammatory option like cinnamon bark oil or clove oil, and while you enjoy anti-bacterial agents in the oils, they also tighten the skin and pores.

Clay masks are a commonly recommended approach to reducing pore size because they cleanse the pores and tighten the skin. They dry out the sebum in the pores and lift away impurities, and if done twice a week can start to minimize the appearance of pores.

And a final must-have ingredient for smaller pores is a primer. As already noted in the list above, a primer is a great way to force your pores to take on a blurred look and to fade into the background. As one expert explains, “Primers can temporarily improve how your pores look for the day… look for primers containing proteins or polymers that form a film and help your makeup go on more smoothly.”

Related: Everything You Need to Know About Makeup Primer

Things to Avoid

When your goal is to minimize the appearance of pores, take expert advice and avoid oil-based creams or cleansers as they are likely to clog pores on even the driest skin types. They mix with dead cells and block the pores. So, always stick to water-based products for the skin.

Skip the “at home” solutions for tightening or deep cleaning the skin. For example, lemon juice or baking soda scrubs are a definite “no”. While these are common folk remedies, they will only do harm to the skin.

Also watch out for anything that is not described as “non-comedogenic,” because they are going to be prone to causing acne. They block the pores and are often oils like coconut oil, shea butter, and other “butters,” should be avoided if you worry about pore size.

Skip the use of “shimmering” makeup if you want to minimize the look of the pores because it anything that “illuminates” the skin is also going to emphasize the size of the pores.

It is difficult to look into the mirror and see an entire army of pores glaring back smugly at you. This is particularly true if you are dedicated to daily cleansing and skincare regimens. The fault is not yours, though, because you might have inherited those pores from your folks. Instead of stressing about this, use the tips above to make some changes. Try different cleansers and exfoliators, use minimizing solutions, apply some primer, and try some of the treatments that can create more youthful skin. It is likely that you’ll see great improvements with just a few changes and be on your way to your best skin yet. And when all else fails, you can visit your dermatologist to find out if there are treatments you can have to support your goals.

More Great Resources on Clogged Pores:

The Pore Minimizers And Treatments You Need to Try

5 Ways to Unclog Pores and 2 Methods to Avoid

The 5 Best Ways to Shrink Your Pores, According to Dermatologists