Minimising The Appearance of Pores

The appearance of large pores is a common problem amongst people from all ages. It can cause the skin to look dull and lifeless. Large pores can also affect the way foundation applies and looks on the skin therefore it is no surprise that we are always on the search for products that will help minimise these pores. Often people ask how pores can be closed. Well in theory pores cannot actually be 'closed' as they are tiny hair follicles, which can tend to look enlarged when they are clogged. When dirt, impurities or oil build up on the skin, it causes the pores to get clogged. This then causes dead skin cells to gather at the base of the pore, making them look enlarged. Steps can be taken to ensure that the skin is clean from any dirt that will essentially help the pores to be minimised and give an even complexion.

Prime:
Skincare miracles don't often happen overnight therefore for the time being there are temporary fixes that can help to give a flawless base. Using a primer before applying foundation will help to 'fill' in those pores hence give the illusion of even skin. Priming the skin helps to conceal enlarged pores and provides a smooth canvas for foundation. This helps to avoid foundation sitting on the surface of the skin and drawing attention to the pores. The Porefessional Primer by Benefit is a great one for this and a drugstore dupe would be the Maybelline Pore Eraser.

Steam:
If you've ever been to a spa you'll notice that during the luxurious experience they'll often use a steamer. The heat helps to open up the pores so that the skin can be deep cleansed from within and impurities can be extracted. Making use of this cheap and effective step will also help products to penetrate into the skin better. Sometimes in the morning I wash my face with hot water then cleanse my face with my morning cleanser and rinse it off with cold water to close the pores. This also makes me feel awake and refreshed in the mornings. You don't need to go out and splash money on a facial steamer if you don't wish to. Just simple boil some water and pour it into a bowl, put your head above the bowl - using a towel on top of your head will help to make the most out of this experience. You'll notice a massive difference after steaming your face.

Exfoliate:
Exfoliating the skin helps remove dead skin cells. Removing this barrier of dead skin cells will enable the regeneration of new skin cells. If used too often however it can strip the natural oils from the face so a couple of times a week is fine. Exfoliates help to also improve the overall texture of the skin. There are gentle exfoliants available for those suffering with sensitive skin. Suffering from sensitive skin myself, I've always found it difficult to find an exfoliator that works well with my skin. Recently I've come across drugstore and high-end exfoliators that were super gentle and left my skin feeling smooth in texture. The drugstore option which I'm sure many of you may have heard raved about in the blogging community is the one by St Ives and the latter which I haven't heard about prior to using it is the Doctor's Scrub. I've also written a review on the Clarisonic which can be used as a gentle everyday exfoliant.

Tone:
In my post on how I cleared up my blemish prone skin I mentioned that I incorporated a toner into my skincare routine which I have found to make a huge difference to my skin. Clogged pores will lead to blemishes and be the cause of acne. Toners will help to remove the dirt and impurities from the skin that essentially make the pores look enlarged. After removing makeup there is often traces of makeup left on the skin. If left on the skin, it can also cause the pores to be clogged - using a toner helps remove any last traces of makeup that may have been left on the skin. Some products available on the market incorporate this step with the previous one. Examples include Clarins Exfoliating Toner and the Pixi Glow Tonic.