[TIPS]: Pore Care Basic Guide

abril 25, 2018


VERSIÓN EN ESPAÑOL AQUÍ.



Hi! How are you? First of all, I'm sorry for the long delay uploading this entry, but I hope that when you read it you'll find it useful \(●~▽~●). A few days ago, I asked on Instagram for the topic that was the most interesting for you, and the winner was Pore Care. And this is something that a lot of people suffer (yes, I include myself and I've said it in previous posts ಥ‿ಥ). Looking for information to create this entry, I realized that in my particular case I couldn't avoid this situation, because it was partly genetic/hormonal and on the other hand I didn't take care of myself for years (months under the sun without sunscreen, I didn't wash my face, degenerated consumption of refined sugars... I know, don't hit me please! ⊙︿⊙ It's wise to learn from mistakes and now I'm taking care of myself). However, this doesn't mean we can't do anything to take care of them and improve their appearance. So if you are in the same situation, let's keep reading this post, I hope you like it!
ヽ(゜∇゜)ノ

[Before we start, I'd like to sat that this guide was written with basic notions about pore care and I tried to support it through reliable bibliographic sources, my intention is not to replace the function of experts such as dermatologists or medical specialists. You can take this guide as a starting point and ask your doctor what is the best to use ◕‿‿◕].


Before starting, it's important to say that there are 2 type of pores in the skin with different functions. They are divided in 2 types: The pores that produce sweat (which are related to sweat glands) and the pores that produce sebum (related to the sebaceous glands). The latter are called Hair Follicles and are those who causes bigger problems because they're constantly obstructed by acquiring an elongated appearance, unlike the sweat pores that are smaller. For practical purposes for this entry, we'll call them "pores".

Sweat pore, seen in FineArtAmerica.

Hair follicle, seen in ForensicScience.



Sebaceous glands are structures that are found on the entire surface of our body, excelt the palms, the soles of the feet and the backs of the feet. They are very large and are found mostly on the face and scalp, where acne commonly originates. The normal function of sebaceous glands is to produce and secrete sebum.
Skin Section. For illustrative purposes of this entry, the most basics one were included. Adapted from Center for Disease Control and Prevention, CutisLaserClinics and Wikipedia.



Sebum is a group of complex oils that include triglycerides and breakdown products of fatty acids, wax esters, squalene, cholesterol esters and cholesterol.



Sebum lubricates the skin to protect it against friction and temperature changes and makes it more impervious to moisture, repelling water from the skin and hair. In addition, the sebaceous gland carries antioxidants in and over skin and provides protection to the skin from natural light. It has an innate antibacterial activity and has a pro and anti-inflammatory function. It can regulate the xenobiotics activity and actively participate in the wound healing process. Thanks to sebum, our skin looks younger because the expression lines are not as marked as they look on dry skin. However, the excess can also generate a dirty aspect.


The million dollar question and the one that bring us to this post. Actually there are many causes related to this topic, but I'll mention the most important, does any of them sound familiar to you? They can be one or several causes at the same time:

Genetic: If one of your parents has large pores, your changes of having them larger'll increase. Although it's a determining factor, you can always control it to avoid that the problem get greater.

Ethnicity: It has been seen that women of all ages in China, for example, have a reduced pore size compared to black women, who have larger pores and more irregular skin.

Age: When we are young, our skin feel tight and firm, This is doe to the collagen and elastin found in our skin. As we get older, this conection between collagen and elastin starts to break down and doesn't recover as fast as when we were younger, making the skin less firm, and if we add the constant gravity effect... You'll start to see a "saggy" aspect of the skin. This results in the dreaded wrinkles, but also causes distended skin and the pores are no longer "so tight", and remain with that elongated appearance so difficult to refine.

Solar damage: This is related to the age topic. As I mentioned in my Solar Protection post, UV rays are capable of generate damages at cellular and DNA levels, including the alteration in the components of the deeper layers of the skin. These damages, in addition to include premature aging, cause that skin loses firmness and pores appear larger.

Skin type: People with acne-prone skin, dehydrated skin and/or with oily skin usually have this problem with their pores, although it doesn't mean that another skin type can't suffer it.

Harmful substances consumption: Cigarette smoking and excessive consumption of alcohol decrease the levels of vitamin A, alterating the quality and quantity of collagen and elastin in the skin, generating atrophy, appearance of premature wrinkles and predisposing to cancer and melanome (besides that they are exposed to metastasis after the appearance of tumors). Plus, alcohol generates severe outbreaks of acne as a result of liver damage. Remember that premature aging is also an important cause of enlarged pores.

Excesive Sebum Production: Also known as seborrea, it can be due to many factors:
  • Hair follicle size: The pore size is directly proportional to the sebaceous gland size which it corresponds. The large size of the pores can also be related to an excessive production of sebum because of too active sebaceous glands. This condition generates large amounts of sebum, which expand the capillary channel and expand the pore diameter to be able to discharge the sebum that is over produced. El tamaño del poro es directalmente proporcional al tamaño de la glándula sebácea bajo la piel a la que corresponde. This also generates pore obstruction, generating problems such as blackheads, whiteheads or acne.  
  • Hormonal problems: It has been shown that when there are high levels of testosterone, there is more activity in the sebaceous glands, predisposing to conditions such as hyperseborrhea (also called Acne vulgaris). Similarly, there is a high sebum production when there is a high production of Growth Hormone (GH) or prolactine we can find acne problems that lead to pores look larger. Another similar situation is the Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, which can generate severe hormonal changes leading to the acne appearance. 
  • Sex: Generally, men have larger pores than women and tend to produce more sebum (this due to testosterone), but those women who have very oily skin or who have some hormonal change (such as menstruation, pregnancy or menopause) can develop large pores at the same way. Some studies have shown that pores increase their size during the woman's ovulation period because of the released progesterone during this period, affecting the sebaceous glands' activity.
  • Inadequate facial routine: For example, if there isn't a good exfoliation (or definitely there isn't any type of exfoliation), there'll be a greater accumulation of dead skin cells, which'll make the pores get clogged by the sebum production, generating inflammation and increasing their size. Similarly if you're using astringent products (aka "alcohol / alcohol denat in the first ingredients2), you're not going to remove excess sebum, you're generating dryness on your skin and sebaceous glands'll get this as a serious lack of sebum, which'll cause to produce more and more. And well, the sebum excess makes the prone more prone to enlarge.
  • Lack of hygiene: Not wasing the face properly, bursting the breakouts with dirty hands / nails... All those factors predispose your skin to bacterial colonization and to more acne breakouts or sebum overproduction, which end up enlarging the pores too.
  • Excessive intake of dairy products or sugar: By eating too many sugar amounts, it'll be processed as a large insulin amount, generating more androgens and at the same time triggering acne breakouts frequently. It has been demonstrated that a high intake of these products causes an increased sebum production, altering its composition and, therefore, predisposes the pores to increase their size.



"The pores open with hot water and close with cold water"

This is a quite dispersed myth and so so wrong. Pores don't have muscles that allow them to open and close freely. Can you imagine if we could open and close them at will? It'd be a hard situation, similar to Ranma 1/2 we'd have to carry hot or cold water whenever we wanted to open or close them. If we wanted to keep them closed for long time, we'd only expose them to clogging more often and we'd have many more breakouts than normal!

Seen at Cibercali Comics.

"So, why do we use hot water then?", you'll be asking. Well, the steam from the hoy water helps soften the skin and softem the sebum that clogs the pores, facilitating its extraction.


"Blackheads are trapped dirt inside the pores,
 that's why they got that black color"

False. Black color is due to the oxidation of sebum and dead skin cells that are trapped in our pores when they're in contact with oxygen, darkening their original color.


"You can get rid of large pores using special products for them"

The sad and hard truth is that we can't reduce its size completely, but we can improve its appearance by carrying out a good cleansing, exfoliation and constant hydration. The "for pores" products usually have a temporary effect only and don't reduce their size completely.




The other million question. Depending on the cause that is generation this situation, it'll be the treatment that better applies. In this post, I'll mention only some assets and ingredients that, with constant use, can offer excellent results*. Fortunately, today we have a huge variety of products and brands that include one or more assets in a single formulation. Not all are designed to "reduce the appearance of pores" specifically, but they'll help to reduce sebum production, to recover the protective barrier of skin, to reduce inflammation or with the constant production of collagen and elastin, so indirectly you'll see and improvement in the pores size. Always remember to respect the action times indicated for each product.
*Hormonal treatments, antibiotics, laser and microneedling'll be left to dermatologists and skin specialists, please visit them to see if these treatments are suitable for you.

  
+ RECOMMENDED INGREDIENTS TO SEARCH IN PRODUCTS 
THAT CAN IMPROVE YOUR PORES +

Hyaluronic Acid: Not only'll help with the collagen and elastin synthesis and to retain more water volume in the skin giving it a smoother appearance, but studies have been siwn that it helps to decrease the overproduction of sebum. It's a booster for vitamin C, so if you include it in your routine after it you'll see better and faster results. In some products you can also found it as sodium hyaluronate.

Tea tree oil: This ingredient indirectly helps to control the pores size. It's known to help in the acne treatment thanks to its antimicrobial acne thanks to its antimicrobial activity, because it reduces the amount of bacteria that generate the breakouts and soothes inflamed skin, reducing pimples and blackheads while they dry. If you're going to use it as pure oil, never out it directly on your face, always dilute it with a serum or cream (a few drops'll be enough). Use it as a treatment for specific outbreaks too. Is not recommended for people with sensitive skin unless it's applied in small amounts and very diluted.

Linoleic Acid: It has been shown that in people with severe acne has been found deficiency of this fatty acid in their sebum, giving a more "lumpy" aspect and has greater potential to clog the pores and continue to generate breakouts because it's capable of encapsulates bacterias that generate acne /and as a consequence, detract the skin appearance where the pores are). However, if it's pure linoleic acid, it may be viable for less time, because it can quickly become rancid (although there are some exceptions such as jojoba, which being more of  a wax and not having triglycerids in its composition, has a longer shelf life). Always look for product that contain this acid with antioxidant compoments to extend shelf life and keep using it without problem. Among the oils containing linoleic acid in greater quantity in its composition are safflower oil, hemp seed oil, evening primrose oil, pumpkin seed oil, rosehip oil, grape seed oil, soybean oil, calendula oil, black raspberry seed oil and passion fruit oil.Some other oils that have a slightly lower amount of linoleic acid are jojoba oil, argan oil, tamanu oil, castor oil, kukui nut oil, pomegranate oil and sesame oil.

Rice: Rich in fatty acids (including linoleic acid) and in antioxidants such as vitamin E, helps to purify and soothe the skinm minimizing the pores appearance. It also has an anti-inflammatory function, helps to boost cell regeneration, making the skin bright. It can be used as a gentle exfoliant.

Snail slime: It is a filtrate of the secretion (called mucin) of this animal that contains hyaluronic acid, glycoproteins enzymes, allantoin, glycolic acid and copper peptides. All these compounds stimulate the collagen and elastin production, accelerate the process of healing wounds and damaged tissue and provide moisture and hydration to the skin. It's interesting because the collecting method of this secretion doesn't kill or hurt snails.

Charcoal: Highly absorbent ingredient that is able to absorb sebum excess and impurities in the skin, sometimes used to perform deep cleansing and acne treatments.

Centella asiatica: Known as Gotu Kola, is a medicinal plant used for years to accelerate the healing wounds process, for its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. It's also a powerful antioxidant that stimulates the collagen production and reduces the appearance of marked scars.

Ceramides: The are lipids that are found naturally in our body, whose function is to maintain skin cells, as well as hair and nails cells. When they stay together, they form a protective barrier that fills the skin, retains moisture and gives resistance to UV factors and pollutants. However, when we're getting older, the number of ceramides is reduced, so the skin is more exposed to external agents and becomes more sensitive, with greater chances of developing dermatitis and / or wrinkles and worsening the pores appearance. Adding ceramides to your skincare routing, you'll balance the moisture - sebum levels of your skin, descreasing the overproduction of sebum and improving the protective barrier, increasing the protection and hydration of the skin, therefore improving its appearance. You an also include phytosphingosine and shipgolipidenes, which are the ceramides' precursors that can help recover the protective barrier. You must be caferul and don't expose them to the environment, since light and air can reduce their effectiveness.

Ginseng (Panax ginseng, red, fresh, white and wild varieties): It has powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It promotes a correct blood circulation and accelerates the healing wounds process, stimulating the collagen synthesis and inhibits the dark spots formation.

Ginkgo biloba (or Maidenhair Tree): It's a plant with antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity. It's helpful for the treatment and prevention of acne, promoting correct blood circulation, and studies have shown that it provides extra protection against damage generated by UV rays.

Egg: Contains proteins, lipids and some antioxidant compounds. It offers temporary tension of the skin, which can improve the pores appearance for a certain time. It's recommended that you use it in product that already have it among its ingredients and not in a "natural" way, since the egg shell can carry Salmonella strains and other fecal bacteria that can generate severe infections in the skin.

Tomato: Thanks to its many components (such as licopene, ascobic acid, tocopherol, glutathione and polyphenols), it's a great antioxidant that takes care of free radicals, which are harmful to the skin.

Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera): Plant with high content of aminoacids, fatty acids, vitamin B and C, which provide antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It stimulates blood circulation and collagen production as well as providing hydration, brightening and soothe irritated skin.

Honey: It's an ingredient with many benefits for our body, but focusing on the skin, has great antimicrobial activity, accelerating the healing wounds and tissue regeneration process. It's also anti-inflammatory and provides several nutrients to the skin. It's used in a lot of cosmetic products, from serums and esssences to creams and masks.

Niacinamide: Also known as vitamin B3, it's useful to regulate skin tone, to correct redness, reduce excessive sebum production and to decrease the size of pores, as it helps increase elasticity and improves its appearance. It's also included in serums, creams and other cosmetic products. You should always use sunscreen when using niacinamide.

Pearl: Ingredient rich in amino acids with anti-inflammatory effects. It helps the collagen regeneration, the reduction of redness, the skin brightening and can be used as an acne treatment.

Propolis:It is used in many skincare products for its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, also promoting the collagen synthesis. It also decreases the activity of free radicals (acting as an antioxidant) and helps accelerate the wound healing process by stimulating the collagen production. Don't use it if you're allergic to it.

Resveratrol: It's a substance found in foods such as red wine, grapes, bitter chocolate, blackberries and peanuts. It's a powerful antioxidant that also has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, being able to fight the Propionibacterium acnes bacteria, which causes Acne vulgaris (this has been observed in In Vitro studies). It also accelerates the healing wounds process and slows the proliferation of keratinocytes, which often contributes to follicular obstruction and later to the development of acne. It is even recommended to add resveratrol in a balanced diet, since people who consume it constantly have a lower incidence of cardiovascular diseases.

Green tea: In addition to being a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, green tea contains compounds (polyphenols) that are powerful agents with antimicrobial properties, while reducing the sebum production and therefore the acne appearance. Green tea is effective topically and ingested, as anticarcinogenic properties have also been attributed to it when it's comsumed constantly.

Vitamin E: It's an oil-soluble substance that our body produces naturally, but which decreases as we expose ourselves to the sun's rays. It's composed of 8 basic forms, among which are  alpha-tocopherols, alpha-tocotrienols, beta-tocopherols, beta-tocotrienols, gamma-tocopherols and gamma-tocotrienols. They are present in avocado, nuts, yellow and green vegetables, meat, corn and some dairy products. They have antioxidant properties that eliminates free radicals, which are so harmful to our skin. They also provide protection for your skin against the sun's rays (THEY'RE NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR SOLAR PROTECTION, but they act as an extra protection that reduces the sunburn severity and improves the effectiveness of UV filters. They increase the natural barrier protection, reducing the loss of water. Vitamina E is often used together with Vitamin C as both potentiate its antioxidant and photoprotective effects as well as improving skin tone, giving it luminosity and improving the protective barrier. If you are going to use vitamin E oil, try to introduce it step by step, as there have been cases where it has generated breakouts due to its heavy texture.


The following products should be added to your skin slowly and carefully, always performing tests with small doses to see if your skin tolerates them. Remember to always respect the waiting times indicated for this type of assets (which usually go from 15-20 or even 30 minutes before continuing with your routine). It is important to use it at low concentrations 1 to 2 times at week, increasing its frequency of use as your skin tolerates them. When you start using them and if your skin is not used to acids, it's better not to mix them:

Alfa Hydroxy Acids (AHA): They are water-soluble substances, derived from sugar, milk, nuts and fruits. Among the most used are glycolic acid, lactic acid, mandelic acid and citric acid. Its exfoliating function is exerted on the most superficial skin layers, reducing the wrinkles and blemishes appearance, as well as moisturizing and promoting the collagen production (such as glycolic acid). They are usually recommended even for people with sensitive skin, because the molecule size of many of them (such as lactic or mandelic acids) makes the penetration in the skin slower and therefore less irritating. When you use any of these, don't mixt it with other AHA's because of the overexfoliation risk and because they can reduce its effectiveness. They can be used in the same routine with BHA, but you should alternate days when you apply them on your routine.

Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA): They are oil-soluble substances, derived from the willow bark that help to exfoliate skin from inside the pores, helping to remove the sebum remains. They also have anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce redness and irritation from annoying breakouts. A great representative of them is Salicylic Acid, which by it ease of access to the deeper layers of the skin, exfoliates much better than physical exfoliants that fail to remove all the waste completely. It's also very gentle and depending on the concentration, can be included on other products such as toners, creams or serums, but remember that you don't have to over-exfoliate the skin! It can make your skin too sensitive and lead to other condicionts. By the way, if you're allergic to aspirin, it may generate adverse reactions. Similarly, you should always use sunscreen for the photosensitivity risk. They can be used in the same routine with AHA, but you should alternate days when you apply them on your routine.

Retinoids. Compounds that are derived from vitamin A, such as retinol. They are useful for pore care and for skincare in general. They help accelerate the cell regeneration process, making the skin look younger and smoother. They reduce the size of the pores, as well as the hyperpigmentation, the wrinkles and the irregular skin texture and stimulate the collagen production, which tightens the skin, making the pores look smaller. However, they can irritate your skin when you start to use them. When you use them, don't forget to use sunscreen during day because your skin'll be photosensitive (that it's more exposed to sun damage). Remember that sunscreen should always be used, but when using this treatment you should be more careful.

Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid / LAA): It's a powerful antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals in the skin that generate premature aging and decreasing the chances of developing photocarcinogenesis. It also influences the synthesis of collagen and works as a depigmenting agent, matching the skin tone. It can be found in many serums, essences and creams in concentrations from 15%, 20% up to 30%. However, it oxidizes quickly with the sun contact and during temperature changes, losing its properties and some of them even change to a very marked yellow / orange color. That's why some products that contain this ingredient are recommended to keep them in the refrigerator, to lenghten their shelf life. If your skin is not used to acids yet, please don't use it with other AHA's in your routine. It's advisable to use it together with vitamin E because in synergy, mutually enhance their antioxidant and photoprotective effects. Remember that vitamin C is water-soluble and acts superficially, and vitamin E complements its effect by being oil-soluble and working in the deeper areas of the skin.


+USEFUL PRODUCTS 
FOR YOUR SKINCARE ROUTINE +

Cleansing Oil: Maybe you're thinking "What? But, why? I have oily skin and this'll generate more sebum and more breakouts!",but there's nothing to worry about. When you wash your face using just a water-based cleanser, the greasy residues won't be removed totally (and that includes sebum excess), so you'll need a cleansing oil that'll be able to dissolve these residues so your skin'll be free of impurities and greasy residues when you use the water-based cleanser. In addition to that, it'll serve you to remove makeup easily, and this includes the waterproof makeup. In the market, there are many varieties, from "cleansing balm" (o bálsamo de limpieza) to cleansing liquid oil. 

Clay Masks: These masks are useful to minimize the appearance of pores temporarily due to their ability to absorb the sebum of the face (as long as they don't include other ingredients too abrasive for the skin).

Sheet Masks: These are products made of fiber, cotton, cellulose or hydrogel that are cut like face-shape and are soaked in serum, a substance that contains nourishing ingredients. They are applied for a few minutes and removed, so that the serum stays on our skin and absorbed in a better way. There are many varieties of the, but if you want to choose one to improve the appearance of your pores, search one that contains one or several ingredients that I mentioned in this post.

Konjac Sponge: They are made with the root of an Asian plant called Amorphallus konjac. In Japan, it has been used millennially as food and as a beauty treatment, There are different skin types, that's why there are different colors (usually black color is for oily and acne-prone skin, green color for comb skin, white color for sensitive skin and red for dry skin). These sponges serve to exfoliate skin physically and gently, to clean pores and dirty, to stimulate skin circulation and to balance pH. You can soak them with water and use them directly as well or you can add a water-based cleanser to make foam and clean the face. It should be boiled at least once time at week for 5 minutes, and replaced every 2 months for hygienic reasons at least.




Wash your face with lukewarm water.We already saw that cold and hot water have no effect on the size of pores. But the hot water'll cause dryness to your skin quickly, an this'll make your sebaceous glands to take this as a lack of sebum, which'll produce... That's right! More sebum on your face, even if you washed it. And the cold water is not the best neither because it could leave some waste of sebum in your skin. It is better to use lukewarm water, at your body's temperature.

Don't overdo your the cleansing of your skin: Many people think sometimes "If I have more sebum, I have to wash my face more times during the day, so it'll be eliminated". But the truth is that day from leaving your skin "cleaner and less sebum", it'll be much more irritating and your skin'll take this as a sebum deficiency, generating more. This is why is recommended to wash the face in the morning and at night with a water-based, gentle and low pH cleanser, to avoid altering the natural conditions of our skin. Alkaline cleansers promote the colonization or pathogenic microorganisms in the skin (such as harmful bacteria and fungi). In addition to dry the skin too much and causing skin problems such as dermatitis, hypersensitivity or dehydration. Evelyn and Ani have excellent posts in their blogs talking about the importance of pH in cosmetic products.

Perform your cleansing correctly: This'll be achieved by including double cleansing within your routine: cleansing oil and water-based cleanser.

Avoid using soap bars: The ingredients that make the soap bar take its solid form can clog your pores. In addition, many of them have a too high pH (alkaline), which generate skin problems such as those mentioned above.

Exfoliate properly: Don't use peel off products (masks, nose strips), too abrasive exfoliants or bristle brushes that are too hard. Peel off are too aggressive and when you pull the mask to "remove the blackheads", you're removing just the tip... In addition to shaving, inflaming and irritating your skin plus generating bigger pores. As for exfoliants and brushes, they can generate an overexfoliation in the skin that'll cause more dead cells and dry skin (similar to when you wash with hot water), stimulating the sebum overproduction and increasing the pores.

Never go to sleep without removing makeup: Remember that throughout the day your skin is exposed to sweat, sebum and thousands of bacteria that can generate acne breakouts. Also, your sheets and pillows'll thank you.

Hydrate and moisturize your skin properly: Remember that skin is the largest organ of the body and requieres water and nutrients to function properly. If your skin is oily, add to your routine moisturizers with light texture (gel type) and without a great number of emollients so you'll balance the moist-sebum levels in your skin and your sebaceous glands won't produce sebum in excess.You can also moisturize it by adding serums, essences and hydrating ampoules.

Use sunscreen: Remember that sun protection helps prevent skin cancer, the natural protective barrier destruction and delay the signs of aging, including the appearance or large pores by loss of firmness in skin. That's why it's important that you include sunscreen as a vital element in your skincare routine.

Avoid products that contain "harmful" alcohol in greater quantity: You can find them on the products labels simply as "alcohol"or as ethanol, alcohol denat (denatured), SD (specially denatured) alcohol, ethyl alcohol, methanol and isopropyl alcohol, and could be located in the first places in the ingredients list. Although this type of alcohol serve as solvents, making the products absorb quickly and also are sold as "astringent products", the truth is that causes dryness to the skin, irritating it and hurting the surface and leading to sebum overproduction. DON'T CONFUSE THEN WITH FATTY ALCOHOLS, which are not harmful and work as emollients, stabilizers and even moisturizing agents (such as butylene glycol, glycerin, cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol and cetearyl alcohol, to mention a few). However, if you want to buy a product that contains some type of "harmful" alcohol in the ingredients list, you should check where is located and if the product also has some emollient or stabilizing ingredient (such as fatty alcohols)

Don't squeeze your breakouts with your hands!: Yes, I know we all have fallen into that temptation to squeeze them (including the nasty blackheads found in our nose), but if it isn't done properly, you can cause tissue damage and worsen your enlarged pores aspect. It's better to visit a professional for an adequate cleansing.

Avoid homemade remedies: Especially all those that are indicated to "control and eliminated acme once and for all". From smearing lemon juice directly on your face to masks done with baking soda and activated charcoal, with some eggs and sugar... Even putting toothpaste on your breakouts! No. Please don't. I know that skincare products may seem expensive, but these "cheap" and homemade remedies offer a temporary solution that can eventually  damage the protective barrier of your skin, as well as severe irritations and alterations in your skin type. That's why it's important to check these remedies with an expert.

Modify your diet: Try to reduce the sugar and milk consumption in your diet, and incorporate antioxidants and fatty acids to complement your routine. Many of the ingredients mentioned above can be ingested in the same way and bring you well-being internally and externally (such as vitamin C, vitamin E, fatty acids, resveratrol, honey and green tea, among many others).

Eliminate harmful substances from your routine: If you leave alcohol and cigarettes aside, not only your skin'll thank you, but your whole organism'll recover and'll work in a better way.
  
Visit a specialist: These tips are based on general questions, but your pores maybe just a sign of another situation such as hormonal or genetic problems. That's why you should check with a doctor to determine what's the best treatment for you.


Do you suffer from his situation of enlarged pores? What products or treatments do you use to improve their appearance? I'm considering some dermatological intervention, but I feel that I must prepare my skin before, improving my health, eating better and using a good skincare routine as I'll save money for that treatment. It motivates me to see that when I changed my bad habits, I saw changes in my skin  ♥~(◡‿◡).  Again, I apologize for the long entry, but they know that I like to bring you detailed information that can be useful for your daily routine. I'm already organizing better my time, so you'll see entries in the blog more often, thank you very much for reading and have a nice end of the month.
Bye bye and see you soon!



+ SOURCES +

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