Reducing pores, can it be done dermatologically?
Updated december 2024
We see and read in the magazines, television and social media various skin care products that promise us smaller skin pores. In fact, pore-free skin. But can a peeling, serum, pore strip, masks and cleansers really shrink your pores?
You can already feel it: skin care products cannot shrink your pores to an invisible size. More importantly, you don’t want to ‘eliminate’ your pores at all, they play an essential role in maintaining the skin barrier and health of your skin.
The function of your pores: Pores are openings of hair follicles and pores contain their own sebaceous glands that produce sebum (also called sebum). Sebum provides protection for your skin, skin hydration and skin acidity. Disturbance of your sebum balance can lead to dry skin if it is too low and too much sebum can cause pimples.
Large pores are mainly a cosmetic problem
Large pores are a common problem for many people. Although they do not pose any serious health risks, they can be a source of cosmetic discomfort. While it is true that genetics play an important role in determining pore size, other factors such as age and hormones may also play a role. As we age, our skin loses elasticity, making pores appear larger. Hormonal changes, especially during puberty and menopause, can also enlarge pores.
The appearance of large pores can negatively affect some people’s self-confidence and overall sense of well-being. Because enlarged pores can affect the appearance of the skin, they can make the skin look unkempt and old. Another practical problem is that make-up can get into the enlarged pores and in certain light conditions the skin area can look ‘cakey’ and flaky, as it were.
What are the causes of enlarged pores?
Possible causes of coarse facial pores are external and internal influences. Factors such as gender, genetic predisposition, aging, chronic exposure to ultraviolet light, comedogenic cosmetics (= cosmetics that close the pores and cause acne), acne. But also too much sebum secretion, also called seborrhoea, which causes pimples and blackheads, make-up residue, air pollution that ends up in the pores and clogs them, and finally dead skin cells that accumulate in the pores.
Women’s pores are significantly larger than men’s. In another study, which compared men and women, men had a higher number of visible skin pores and more blackheads.
An interesting study is one that examined the relationship between ethnicity and enlarged pores. Facial skin pores were measured in 2585 women between the ages of 18 and 80 and of different ethnicities (Chinese, Japanese, Indian, Brazilian and French women). Some interesting findings were found; Brazilians had 6 times more enlarged pores than Chinese. The association between age and large pores was seen more often in Indians and Brazilians, while in Japanese, Chinese and French women the amount of large pores in the face stabilized from the age of 50.
Which dermatological tricks can shrink your pores?
Some skincare ingredients can help you minimize your skin’s pores. Products containing retinol, salicylic acid, glycolic acid and fruit acids ensure that dead skin cells and excess sebum are removed.
Vitamin B3, also known as Niacinamide, can reduce sebum production, making the pores smaller and the skin less shiny. More about Niacinamide.
Treatment with laser is also a possibility. In addition to a skin rejuvenating effect, pores can shrink after laser treatment. Microdermabrasion is a method of removing the top dead layer of skin. It is a kind of mechanical peeling using fine crystals under vacuum pressure, which sandblasts the skin locally with the aim of shrinking the pores. Other methods include chemical peels and dermapen microneedling.
Dermatological tips
An effective skin care routine starts with a good cleansing. Removing makeup, air pollution particles and excess sebum daily with a gentle cleanser is essential. This helps to keep pores free of impurities and prepares the skin for optimal absorption of care products.
Sun protection is crucial during the day. Choose mineral sunscreens with titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, which provide broad-spectrum protection against both UVA and UVB rays and iron oxide, against visible light for people with tanned skin. These ingredients are non-comedogenic and do not clog pores, making them suitable for various skin types.
For additional care, serums and light oils can support the skin. Moisturizing ingredients such as hyaluronic acid help retain moisture in the skin without a heavy or greasy feeling. Light oils such as grapeseed, sunflower, and almond oil can provide additional nourishment. Richer options such as shea butter, argan, and pomegranate oils are also suitable, as long as they are applied carefully to the needs of your skin type.
Combining cleansing, sun protection and targeted cosmetic ingredients can contribute to hydrated, radiant skin without clogging pores.
What doesn’t work?
Discuss misunderstandings and unnecessary treatments:
Ice cold water: The “closing” of pores by cold water is a myth. Pores do not have muscles that contract.
DIY Masks: Homemade masks are popular for their simplicity and natural ingredients, but they are not always safe or effective. They can irritate the skin due to incorrect pH levels (e.g. lemon juice or vinegar), abrasive substances (such as sugar or baking soda), and unpredictable concentrations of active ingredients. In addition, allergies and the lack of preservatives can lead to infections or skin problems. Therefore, choose carefully or consider professional skin care products.
In other words
While you can’t completely change the size of your pores, with the right routine and dermatological treatments you can significantly reduce their appearance. Start a consistent skin care routine and consult a specialist for advanced options
How can Iconic Elements help you?
How to use Iconic Elements Cleansing Milk (Step 1) and Cleansing Lotion (Step 2) in your daily skin care routine for acne has specific benefits that contribute to effective cleansing and reducing acne:
Step 1: Iconic Elements Cleansingmilk
- Thorough removal of impurities and makeup: Cleansing Milk is the first step in your cleansing ritual and is specifically designed to remove impurities, makeup residue and excess oils from the skin’s surface. This approach is essential because build-ups of sebum, dirt and makeup can clog pores, which in turn can contribute to acne.
- Without the use of alcohol: An important feature of Cleansing Milk is that it does not contain alcohol. Alcohol can dry out and irritate the skin. In some people, this can lead to increased sebum production in response to the dryness, which can worsen acne. Cleansing Milk cleanses thoroughly without affecting the skin’s natural moisture barrier.
Step 2: Iconic Elements Cleansinglotion
- Deeper Cleansing for the Skin: Cleansing Lotion is the second step that provides deeper cleansing. It penetrates deeper into the pores to effectively remove accumulated impurities, excess sebum and bacteria that can cause acne. This is especially crucial for people with acne, as clogged pores can be an ideal breeding ground for acne-causing bacteria.
- Complete cleansing of the skin: By combining both Cleansing Milk and Cleansing Lotion, you ensure a thorough and complete cleansing of your skin. You start by removing surface impurities and makeup with Cleansing Milk, then go deeper with Cleansing Lotion to unclog clogged pores and rid the skin of acne-causing factors.
Put together, these two steps provide a comprehensive cleansing routine that effectively helps reduce acne while ensuring clean and healthy skin.
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Product on sale
Cleansing Step 1 and 2Original price was: €29,90.€25,95Current price is: €25,95.
About Francis Wu
“In my dermatology practice, people often ask me about skin-enhancing products. Because I want you as a user to be able to rely on the product you are applying, I have developed my own skincare line: Iconic-Elements. A complete skin care line that stands out because it works (evidence-based)!
Literature
While you are here
The last menstrual period is also called menopause. Most women have their last menstrual period between the ages of forty and sixty; the average age is 51 years. In addition to physical complaints such as flushes and sweat attacks, skin changes can also take place. In the West, 75% of women suffer from menopausal symptoms. In Japan, on the other hand, only 10% of them have complaints. Foods such as soy and miso seem to play an important role in reducing menopausal symptoms. More about menopause and skin problems
