Tried all the ‘wonder’ creams and ‘miracle’ cures but still noticing large pores on your nose and cheeks every time you look in the mirror?

Well don’t fret We’re here to give you the straight #facts about large pores and how to actually treat them effectively.

Large, open pores are an issue for a lot of people and one of the most common skin complaints we treat in clinic. Before visiting us most clients have already tried many over the counter products including lotions, primers and make-up seeking to improve the look of their pores or attempting to cover them up. A lot of these products that claim to improve the appearance of unsightly pores however are just fads which lead to disappointment.

 Before you waste your money on the latest wonder cure read on…

First #fact- EVERYONE has pores on their face. Pores are natural and essential for healthy skin and their function is to release oils and sweat from the body.  The pores on our face are tiny and if lucky enough, invisible. So what causes these pores to appear larger?

Most people notice larger pores on their forehead, nose and cheeks and this is because oil production beneath these pores can go into overdrive, rising to the top of the skin and collecting in the pore. With cell turnover slowing as we age the oils can get trapped under the dead skin, causing unsightly pores and blackheads. Whilst genetics and hormones play a part in determining pore size and visibility, other contributing factors include excess oil production, dehydrated skin, hot, humid climates and pollution.

Before you decide to never leave the house again, we have some simple and effective ways of protecting your skin from these contributing factors.Now we know what pores are and what causes them to appear larger, how can we get rid of them?

It’s time for the second #fact – we can’t. Wait, WHAT????  But you said you were going to tell me how to get rid of them?! . Well you can never get rid of pores because as discussed earlier they are essential to the proper function of your skin. We CAN however apply  some different techniques to shrink them and make them appear smaller and tighter – phew!!.

So where do we start? The first step to minimising your pores, one that you can do at home, is to thoroughly wash your face morning and night. It is essential to keep your face clean from makeup and dirt which can clog up your pores and cause them to become larger and more visible. No more quick swipes with a face wipe and definitely no more passing out with your make-up on! Washing your face regularly will help unclog your pores of any dirt and excess oil which has built up throughout the day.

As mentioned earlier, part of the cause of pores appearing larger is that as we age, the speed at which our skin cells turnover decreases. This means that excess oil, dirt and pollutants can get trapped in our pores making them look larger and darker. This is why regular at home exfoliation and appropriate hydration is key. However less is definitely more when it comes to exfoliating, we recommend no more than twice per week as you don’t want to overdo it and dry out your skin. It’s easy to be overzealous and then overcompensate by slathering a lot of rich moisturisers onto their skin which further blocks their pores and does nothing to solve the problem.

Another no-no is manually exfoliating with gritty, walnut scrubs (like the teen favourite St Ives apricot scrub) We’ll be the first to admit it can feel really satisfying, we cringe thinking back to our teens aggressively scrubbing away, sometimes twice a day, but hey we all live and learn, right?

We recommend using a chemical exfoliator such as an AHA or BHA acid like glycolic or salicylic as they speed up cell turnover helping to shrink the appearance of your pores with continued use. Incorporating a retinol cream into your at home skincare routine will also help to minimise pores as it is increasing your cell turnover and purging pores of their oily plugs.

A word of warning about product selection as it can be a mine field out there – only pharmaceutical grade products legally have to contain the strength of ingredient that is displayed on the packaging. So, to ensure you are purchasing products which will actually be effective on your pores and contain higher levels of active ingredients we advise only purchasing medical grade skincare products. There are many great medical grade affordable brands out there such as Obagi, Skinceticals, and Mesoestetic to name a few.

To protect your pores from getting clogged up by environmental pollutants we advise wearing SPF 50 daily (ensure it has both a chemical and physical block) and applying an antioxidant serum in the morning such as Obagi vitamin C serum 15% strength.

Now you have your homecare down, what about professional in clinic treatments?

The best professional treatments to effectively shrink pores are clinical strength professional chemical peels, medical grade facials and micro needling.

Professional chemical peels and medical grade facials are a great, cost effective, way to keep your skin looking rejuvenated and clear of black heads and dead skin cells. Peels and medical grade facials have many benefits but are an especially effective tool in combating the appearance of large pores. Both professional chemical peels and medical grade facials can be tailored to your individual skin type and specific concerns. Alternating these treatments every 4-6 weeks alongside your at home skincare routine will result in a smoother tighter complexion and reduce the appearance of large pores.

Micro needling is another safe and effective medical grade treatment to create the appearance of smaller pores. Micro needling causes micro traumas which triggers the skin’s own natural wound healing response. This wound healing response causes the skin to naturally produce new collagen and elastin. It is the collagen and elastin which smooths and plumps out the skin causing the reduction of large pores.

Book in for a consultation with a skin expert who can advise which skincare in-clinic treatments would be the most suitable and beneficial for your skin and devise a bespoke treatment plan just for you.