Can you shrink your pores? Debunking the myth.

The Truth About Pores and Your Skin

Pores. It is one of the major skincare stressors that plagues nearly everyone. Multiples products and methods claim to shrink your pores or even make them disappear completely. So, we are endeavoring to answer the question – Can you shrink your pores?

In order to understand, we first need to examine what a pore is. Pores are small openings in the skin that release oils, sweat, and are connected to hair follicles. When dirt, oil, and makeup get trapped in these openings, they can become more visible to the eye. 

Here’s the the bad news. There is no “magic wand” to shrink your pores.

Pore size is determined genetically, much like our eye and hair color. For the good news- there are many ways to make your pores appear less noticeable. These include deep cleansing, daily skincare maintenance, and using products that won’t clog your skin in the first place.

Below are some ways to upgrade your skincare routine and ensure you are using the correct products to tackle your skincare woes.

Wash Your Face

This tip is simple – ensure you are cleansing your skin thoroughly twice daily. It is crucial to wash in the morning. Overnight your skin works to shed dead skin, so in the morning you want to remove any dead skin and debris that accumulated while you were sleeping.

Just as crucial, in the evening it is important to wash away any pollutants, excess oil, and makeup that can settle into the pores, making them appear larger and contribute to future breakouts.

Double cleansing offers even more benefits to your skin. Try starting your cleansing routine with Micellar Cleansing Water to gently remove dirt and oil from the skin first. This no-rinse formula is excellent for all skin types, and leaves a fresh, non-greasy, feel to the skin.

For your second cleanse, use our best-selling Algae Deep Cleanse.

Loaded with lots of skin-loving ingredients, such as Kaolin and Bentonite clays, and Organic Hemp Seed Iil, this cleanser refreshes, while prepping the skin to receive all the benefits from the rest of your skincare regimen. And it is formulated specifically to work deep into the pores, ridding them of the dirt, debris and excess oil that can clog pores, make them appear larger, and lead to breakouts.

Exfoliate

If you haven’t incorporated an exfoliant into your routine, you are missing out on some serious skincare benefits. Exfoliating the skin 1-2  times per week may help unclog pores, increase cell turnover, and encourage you other skin care products to penetrate deeper in the skin.

Our Silt Scrub is a powerful, yet gentle exfoliant that helps to reveal a radiant complexion without any harsh ingredients that cause irritation. It contains Colloidal Freshwater Silt, which promotes the look of smooth, toned, and more youthful-looking skin when used.

To apply to your skin: use gentle circular motions to exfoliate. Leave on the skin for 2-3 minutes, and then rinse.

For more information on the proper way to exfoliate your skin, check out our How to Exfoliate video!

Seek Out Antioxidants & Non-Comedogenic Oils

Antioxidants are crucial in combating pollution and other environmental stressors that can contribute to enlarged, clogged pores, and congested skin. One of the benefits of antioxidants is that they protect skin cells from oxidation.

Blackheads are a skincare woe that may be a by-product of oxidation. Using products packed with antioxidants can be one way to prevent those noticeable blackheads that can made your pores more distinctive.

Our beloved SV 23 Phyto Serum is loaded with antioxidant-heavy ingredients, such as avocado oil, prickly pear oil, and turmeric. Applying a few drops on the skin or combining with your moisturizer will help protect your skin from excessive environmental damage and help reveal a smoother, younger-looking, complexion.

We love face oils and moisturizers. But for those concerned about large pores, it is crucial to choose formulas made with non-comedogenic oils that nourish and moisturize the skin without clogging pores.

Comedones are essentially pimples like white heads and blackheads that are formed when a pore becomes impacted with dead skin, oil and other impurities.

Seeking out a moisturizer that contains non-comedogenic oils is important because it allows your skin to breathe and keep it free from breakouts. Everyone’s skin is different though, so an oil that is comedogenic on an oily skin type might work fine for someone with very dry skin or someone who lives in an arid climate.

Generally speaking, oils that are high in oleic and steric fatty acids (like Cocoa Butter) are more prone to clogging pores. Oils high in Linoleic fatty acids tend to be lighter weight and less likely to cause trouble for your pores.

For those prone to breakouts or pores that are easily congested, our newly reformulated Clear Skin Cream is the perfect way to finish off your skincare regimen. Abyssinian Oil, Watermelon Seed Oil, and Grape Seed Oil combined with Willow Bark Extract (a natural form of salicylic acid) work together to provide a matte finish to the skin, while maintaining skin’s hydration.

Masking

A preferred method of self-care at Source Vitál, using a facial mask is a great way to provide treatment to your skin in a short amount of time. Our Charcoal Clay Mask helps provide a vacuum-cleaner like effect to the skin, helping to reduce the appearance of spots, blemishes and large pores.

As the name suggests, this mask contains activated charcoal, which is very effective in promoting a look and feel of detox to the skin, while diminishing the appearance of pores. We recommend applying a thin layer over a clean face and neck and leave on for 15-20 minutes. Gently remove with a warm, moist towel.

Whether you are double cleansing, or adding a detoxing mask to your routine, there are many simple ways to help reduce the appearance of pores and reveal your best skin.

 ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Tracey Ellis is a beauty enthusiast with over a decade of experience in the beauty industry. You can find her in the lab, manufacturing Source Vitál Products. Tracey is a New Yorker living in Texas and spends her time cooking and spoiling her miniature husky, Tabasco.

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