Follicle filaments ( sebaceous filaments ) can also be responsible for (optically) enlarged pores on the face. Follicle filaments are hair-like structures formed by deposits of sebum and flakes that channel the flow of sebum within the pores. In contrast to blackheads, they do not clog the pores but are an essential part of the skin cycle. When the sebum comes into contact with oxygen, it oxidizes and turns dark.
The pores are much more noticeable and appear optically enlarged. Also, if you try to squeeze out the follicle filaments, the pores become inflamed and enlarged due to pimple formation. Effective UV filters and antioxidants help eliminate sebaceous filaments prevent By the way: After cleaning, the follicle filaments automatically fill up again after about 30 days – so you have to work constantly here.
Hormonal fluctuations caused by pregnancy, menopause, or taking birth control pills can also cause changes in sebum production and enlarged pores. An unhealthy lifestyle also contributes to contamination and clogging of pores: lack of sleep, lack of UV protection, and tobacco and alcohol consumption are pure poison for the skin. Rule #1 for treating enlarged pores on your face: Eat your greens (= eat healthily), live healthily, and protect your skin with sunscreen (every day!).
Valuable tips against large pores: How to refine your complexion
Enlarged pores are primarily a cosmetic problem. Happily, if they bother you, you can treat them well. But what remedies help against enlarged pores? We have collected ten helpful tips and tricks for you that you can use to reduce large pores at home.
1. Shrink large pores: Healing clay mask
‘Clay Masks‘ – masks based on healing or clay – are particularly suitable for treating large pores. They absorb excess sebum and thus prevent the formation of unwanted blackheads or pimples. Incidentally, some of the healing clay masks have an astringent (firming) effect, so that the skin – including the pores – contracts for a while after use. The complexion and pores are refined and your face creates a smoother impression.
2. Pore strips against enlarged pores
Here the name says it all: Peel-off products such as Pore-Strips ensure that your enlarged pores are properly cleaned. The small strips are glued precisely to the affected area of your face. Leave it on according to the product instructions and then peel it off.
Although the adhesive strips are primarily intended to work against blackheads, they mainly remove follicle filaments, ie oxidized and excess sebum, for about 30 days. Compared to the clay mask, however, pore strips are significantly more aggressive: they can cause irritation and redness on sensitive skin – and in the worst case, unbalance the skin barrier, as they also pull off dead skin cells. Incidentally, permanent hair removal methods like waxing have a similar effect – you kill two birds with one stone.
3. Refine pores: Pay attention to good sun protection!
The absolute basic of every skincare routine: UV protection! This is not only important during your next beach vacation, but every day: UV radiation exists always and everywhere, even when the sun is not shining. In addition to irreparable skin damage, direct sunlight also causes enlarged pores: it briefly widens the exits of the sebaceous glands, which optically expands them.
Over the long term, UV radiation damages elastin and collagen fibers, leading to premature skin aging and sagging. So the motto is cream, cream, cream! More about stressed summer skin in this article.
4. Shrink large pores: Use the right active ingredients
Do you want to treat large pores? Then the right skin care is the be-all and end-all. It is important that you know the most common active ingredients and use them in a targeted manner. This is how you achieve an optimal care routine that reduces your (optical) pores.
Proven agents for pore refinement are active ingredients such as niacinamide, retinol, and hyaluronic acid. Serums with these ingredients have been proven to improve the elasticity of your skin and provide it with sufficient moisture, which prevents the overproduction of sebum. Our tip against large pores is also BHA: salicylic acid peelings are lipophilic – meaning they dissolve fat. BHA penetrates deep into the pores, frees them from accumulated sebum and dirt, and thus regulates sebum production.
Hamamelis water, a distillate from the witch hazel, is also an insider tip in the fight against unwanted enlarged pores. Its anti-inflammatory effect gets rid of excess sebum and pimples, reducing the size of the pores and making your skin more even. Zinc and tea tree oil cosmetics can also refine large pores.
5. Enlarged pores: optical retouching with make-up and co.
Our SOS tip against enlarged pores: If you have to be quick, you can use the right makeup to retouch or ‘make up away’ large pores.
A good primer ensures an even appearance by filling the pores, so to speak. When buying, make sure that your primer does not contain silicone: this ingredient is not breathable, clogs your pores, and thus aggravates your actual problem. After the base, you can apply a BB cream or foundation that will make your skin look even more even. Important: Don’t forget to cleanse your skin thoroughly in the evening!
6. Enlarged pores on the face: don’t forget to remove your make-up!
Of course, if you forget to remove your make-up, that’s not a bad thing. However, regularly not removing your make-up can lead to disorders in skin regeneration. Why? Your skin is particularly active during sleep and forms new cells. Residues from environmental influences and makeup can hinder or slow down this process. Old makeup also blocks the flow of sebum, which in turn contributes to clogged – and thus enlarged – pores.
You don’t use makeup? Even then, thorough facial care should be part of your evening routine. Similar to forgotten makeup, dust particles, and dead skin cells affect sebum production and can hurt night-time regeneration. Cleanse skin with a gentle cleansing gel – ideally with salicylic acid – that gently removes excess skin cells and sebum. Then apply a serum with niacinamide and hyaluronic acid and care for your face with a retinol cream.
7. Shrink large pores: steam bath cleaning
Dark blackheads make your large pores stand out. With a steam bath, you can gently counteract them and at the same time refine enlarged pores. The warm steam opens your pores so that impurities and sebum can loosen and drain away.
Here’s how it works: Pour about a liter of steaming water onto a handful of chamomile flowers in a bowl. As with an inhalation, hold your face over the steam for 10-15 minutes, covering your head with a towel. Breathe in and out relaxed and enjoy the pleasant warmth that lies on your skin. Then you wash your face with a mild washing gel lukewarm.
8. Cucumber mask for enlarged pores
A popular home remedy for reducing large pores is the cucumber mask: It has a cooling, cleansing, and tightening effect – ideal for oily and large-pored skin. Cut a cucumber into slices and place them on your freshly cleaned face. Don’t spare your eyes. After 20 to 30 minutes, the cucumber slices develop their full effect.
Alternatively, you can only use cucumber juice: Squeeze the cucumber slices using a sieve and spread the juice over your face with a cotton pad. Twenty minutes later you should wash it off with cool water.
9. Treat large pores with apple cider vinegar
Naturally cloudy apple cider vinegar is another proven home remedy for reducing pores. This should not only kill bacteria but also develop an anti-inflammatory effect. Be careful not to apply too much vinegar, as this can easily irritate the skin.
Mix the apple cider vinegar with water in a ratio of 1:3 and use a cotton ball to moisten your problem areas. After an exposure time of twenty minutes, the water-vinegar mixture should be washed off with cool water.
10. Shrink Large Pores: Baking Soda Scrub
You read that right: first aid for large pores is next to your baking ingredients! When used correctly, the tiny granules of baking soda work as a powerful exfoliator, removing dead skin cells, pollution, and excess sebum, and thoroughly unclogging pores. Two tablespoons of water and two tablespoons of baking soda are just the right ratios for a light paste that you can apply to your face. After a thorough massage, simply wash off and apply facial care!
Professional facial treatment against enlarged pores at Sanft & Schön in Berlin
Of course, the safest way to achieve effective and lasting results is with a professional facial treatment in our cosmetics studio Sanft & Schön in Berlin. We offer you effective pore reduction through micro-needling, aqua facial treatment, and microdermabrasion. These are proven and very effective treatments that cleanse your skin, moisturize it, and stimulate collagen production.
