I faced this issue a few months ago. I was looking in the mirror and realized that my pores looked huge! At first, I thought it was because I was using a magnifying mirror. Nope. They looked enormous in a standard mirror as well. I even asked my son if he could see my pores, and he could. Which ultimately led to the question why are my pores big?
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What Are Pores
To understand why you have enlarged pores, you have to understand exactly what pores are. These are tiny openings in the skin. Often, they are connected to hair follicles.
Their primary jobs are to release sweat and oil. Pores are designed to cleanse themselves. However, when we’re cramming makeup into them daily, they are going to need some help in that area.
Typically, pores are like the rest of our bodies. They come in various sizes.
Enlarged Pores Causes
There are several factors that contribute to the size of your pores. Taking a good look at your family, how long you have had enlarged pores and the health of your skin can help you determine what is causing enlarged pores.
Genetics
Unfortunately, how big our pores are can be due to genetics. If you’ve noticed that most of the people in your family have larger pores, that’s more than likely the case.
However, your skin type can also be genetic. This could be why you, and most of your family, have enlarged pores.
Oily Skin
If you have oily skin, that could be why. Pores are designed to secrete oil. They need to be enlarged in order to secrete the excess oil. This is because either your body thinks you need that oil, or because you simply have oily skin. (This can also be determined by genetics.)
Dry Skin
It’s common to mistake oily skin for dry skin. That’s because your skin gets dry or dehydrated. Then, it thinks that it needs to make up for that by producing more oil. The end result is that you think that you have oily skin, and your pores are enlarged because they are overproducing oil to combat the dryness.
Over Cleansing
This is a common reason that people wind up with enlarged pores. In a world where we’re constantly told to cleanse, and double cleanse on days we wear a full face of makeup, it’s hard to believe that you can over cleanse. However, it is possible. Then, your skin will respond by amping up the oil production and your pores will be larger.
Aging
Sometimes, enlarged pores are simply a part of the aging process. As your skin loses collagen and elasticity it begins to sag. Then, your pores sag which can make them appear larger.
Why Did My Pores Suddenly Get Bigger
Having enlarged pores is a bit different than suddenly noticing that your pores are bigger. If you’re wondering why did my pores suddenly get bigger you’re not alone. I’ve been there. There are several things that can make your pores drastically increase in size.
New Products
Every skincare product isn’t suitable for everyone. Some products that are designed to work with every skin type and claim that they are specially formulated for sensitive skin will still irritate your skin. Allergies or reactions to common ingredients, such as Vitamin E, are common.
Think back to any new products you’ve used recently. Discontinue use, and see if the problem corrects itself. Your skin may just be mildly irritated or dry due to the new cleanser you picked up.
A Recent Illness
When we get sick, we can get dehydrated. This is particularly common if you have digestive symptoms or a fever. (Fevers can dehydrate you.) When we’re dehydrated, even if it’s only mildly dehydrated, it can have a drastic impact on our skin. Your skin will start producing more oil to combat the dryness, resulting in larger pores.
Acne
Your pores may appear larger if you have acne. This is particularly true if you’re going to have a breakout. Larger pores can be the first sign.
You Just Now Noticed
If your large pores are due to genetics or another issue, it could be possible that you just now noticed them. While magnifying mirrors are great, they can bring certain skincare issues to light because you can see your skin up close. It’s like looking at your skin through a microscope. If you recently noticed the size of your pores, consider how you noticed them. There’s a chance that you did not suddenly develop enlarged pores.
The Seasons Changed
Your skin type is not set in stone. Environmental factors, such as the weather, also play a role. It’s common for people to get dry skin during the winter months. The excess sweat during heat waves can lead to oily skin. Both of these skin types are known for having enlarged pores.
How To Make Pores Smaller
In order to minimize pores, you first need to understand why you have enlarged pores. Even if it’s due to genetics, there are certain things that you can do to minimize pores. However, if it’s because of something other than genetics, you need to address the underlying issues to help minimize pores.
Stay Hydrated To Minimize Pores
If you’ve had a recent illness or notice that your skin is dry, make sure that you are properly hydrated. Drink plenty of water throughout the day. Eat foods that are packed with water, like fruits and vegetables. This can help keep your skin balanced.
Combat Oily Skin
If you have oily skin, there are things you can do to help reduce the amount of sebum production. Make sure that you don’t over cleanse. Once or twice a day is more than enough.
Do not use exfoliating products or face masks more than recommended. Decrease the amount of oil in your diet. Stay hydrated to make sure that your skin isn’t actually dehydrated and to minimize pores.
Pore Minimizing Products
Dr. Brandt is well known for the line of products that are specifically designed to help minimize pores. Most of these are rather effective. Pick up a pore exfoliator to minimize pores or pore minimizing cleanser to reduce the size and appearance of your pores.
Eliminate Acne
If you have acne, take care of it the best that you can. Products like ProActive are known to make a dramatic difference. You can also make changes to your diet to reduce breakouts. The more that you can get your acne to clear up, the smaller your pores will be.
Cold Closes Pores
We all know that hot showers and steam can open your pores. This helps them appear larger than they previously were. It’s why you can see your pores more clearly after a steaming hot shower.
Cold has the opposite effect. Consider picking up a skincare fridge for your serums and facial roller to minimize the appearance of pores.
Increase Collagen Production
Picking up a vibrating facial massager is a great way to increase the collagen in your face. Using this during your cleansing routine can prevent sagging and the sagging pores that come with it.
In Conclusion
Your pores appear larger due to aging, genetics, dry skin, or oily skin. Most of the time, your enlarged pores are actually a normal reaction. However, there are things that you can do to minimize the appearance of your pores or reduce pore size.
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