Seven natural ways to make your pores appear smaller

Your skin has pores i.e. tiny holes that contain sebaceous glands and hair follicles. Sebaceous glands produce the oil that you see on your skin while the hair grows out of the hair follicles.

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According to Mind Body Green, the size of your pores is determined by the size of your pore glands. This means that it is impossible to reduce the size of your pores. 

While some people are born with larger pores, as you get older they can get larger. Other factors such as dirt and excess oils can fill up your pores enlarging them.

This, however, doesn’t mean that you just have to live with those visibly large pores, especially if they’re bugging you. You can make them appear smaller naturally. Here’s how.

1. Clay masks

These help to detoxify your skin by drawing out impurities. A clay mask can help to regulate oil production if your skin produces excess oil. For best results, apply a clay mask once a week. If left on their own, the oil and impurities will accumulate in your pores making them stretch. Therefore a clay mask will help get rid of the excess oil and impurities, making your pores appear smaller.

2. Keep your skin moisturized

Depriving your skin from moisture will make it produce even more oil which can end up clogging your pores, enlarging them and lead to breakouts. To prevent this, ensure you have moisturized your skin both in the morning and at night. Pick the right moisturizer for your skin type, avoiding heavy moisturizers for oily skin and using heavier moisturizers for dry skin.

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3. Avoid touching your face

Constantly touching your face helps the spread dirt and bacteria which can (i) lead to even more breakouts and (ii) clog your pores making them larger. When you make it a habit not to touch your face unnecessarily, you are sure to help make your pores smaller since you won’t be introducing dirt to it and the frequency of breakouts will reduce.

4. Exfoliate

There are many advantages of exfoliating your skin. These include removal of dead skin cells, unclogging your pores and detoxifying your skin, among others. When it comes to making your pores appear smaller, exfoliating regularly will help rid your pores of gunk i.e. dead skin cells, excess oil and other dirt, which can stretch your pores. This will result in pores that appear smaller and reduce chances of inflammation and breakouts.

5. Use a primer

If you wear makeup regularly, you know how disheartening it is to see your pores peeking out from under your foundation. For a smoother appearance, use a good primer that will make your pores appear smaller. Apply the primer after you have cleansed and moisturized your face and before you wear your foundation.

6. Pawpaw mask

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Mash up half a pawpaw with a few tablespoons of honey and apply on already cleansed skin. Leave the mask on for 10 minutes before rinsing it out. Pawpaw has papain enzymes and Vitamin A which help rehydrate your skin and remove dead skin cells, making your pores look smaller. We have already seen the importance of ensuring your face is hydrated, to reduce chances of your skin producing too much oil. The dead skin cells can clog your pores making them larger.

7. Increase your collagen intake

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As we get older, our bodies produce less collagen. This can result in larger pores. To counter the effects of aging, either take collagen supplements or eat foods that are rich in collagen. This will help to make up for the little collagen that your body produces naturally.