You may have looked in the mirror and noticed large pores on your face – they can be unsightly and hard to cover up. Luckily, there are a number of ways to reduce your pores and make your skin look smooth again.
Open pores can be caused by oily skin, as well as excess sebum, dirt and bacteria. To make matters worse, blackheads also tend to make pores more visible and look even larger.
Prolonged sun exposure can contribute to open pores because it damages the collagen, thereby reducing the elasticity of the walls of the pore canals.
Here’s some ways to minimise those pores so you have less redness and more confidence in your appearance.
1. Ice
Ice is a known skin tightener and can also get that blood flowing. Simply rub ice against your skin for 10 to 20 seconds.
2. Baking soda
Baking soda will balance the pH of your skin and remove dirt from the surface of your face. Mix two tablespoons of baking soda with 2 tablespoons of warm water, so you create a paste.
3. Egg and lemon juice
Egg whites are astringent and improving the condition of oily skin. Lemons are extremely versatile and can reduce pores. Whisk two egg whites and add the juice of half a lemon. Apply the mixture on your face and leave it on until it dries then rinse.
4. Apple cider vinegar (ACV)
ACV is a natural pH balancer and a potent anti-microbial and anti-bacterial remedy, plus it minimises the appearance of pores. Mix half ACV and water, apply the solution on your face using a cotton ball and leave for a few minutes before rinsing it off.
You can use this treatment every evening before going to bed.
5. Honey
Honey contains high amount of potassium that kills bacteria which clog the pores. Apply, leave on for 20 minutes then rinse.
6. Sugar and olive oil scrub
Take 2 tablespoon of sugar; add 1 tablespoon of olive oil and a few drops of lemon juice. Mix all the ingredients and gently rub on your face for 20 to 30 seconds. Rinse it with cool water.
7. Oat mask
Oat is an excellent exfoliator that cleanses, moisturises and soothes the skin and sloughs off the excess oil as well. Mix 1 cup with 1 tbsp of honey and a bit of yoghurt and apply to your pores. Rinse off and repeat once a week.
8. Milk
A cup of skim milk with a teaspoon of sea salt will decrease the size of pores when applied daily.
9. Tomato
Take 2-3 garlic cloves and ½ a tomato and blend. Apply a thin layer of this mixture on your face. After 15-20 minutes, rinse off with lukewarm water. If you prefer, you can rub a tomato slice on your pores.
10. Witch Hazel
Witch hazel is a natural astringent that minimises enlarged pores without over-drying your skin. It removes excess oil and sloughs off bacteria, debris, and all other impurities. Damp cotton in one teaspoon of witch hazel, and apply on your face. Allow it to dry and then wash off.