What is the best way to tighten the pores on your face and remove redness?

Why do pores expand?

To understand the cause of clogged pores, you need to have an understanding of their structure and functioning. Pore is a microscopic channel associated with the sweat and sebaceous glands, starting from the hair follicle located at the surface of the skin. Sebum is released from the pores, and hairs of varying lengths and thicknesses emerge from them (some cannot be seen with the naked eye).

This is an external excretory organ that participates in heat exchange, provides respiration, maintains the elasticity and moisture of the skin, and prevents it from drying out and the early manifestations of aging. In order for pores to perform their task well, they need to be cleaned regularly.

Expert opinion

Elena Apostolyuk

Cosmetologist

The tubules expand not without a reason, but as a result of the accumulation of dirt and fat particles in them. Cosmetic preparations provide only a temporary cleansing effect. In order to permanently normalize the condition of the skin, you need to find out and eliminate (or at least weaken) the factor that provokes the enlargement of pores.

Such a factor could be:

Oily skin type. In this case, the pores are always filled with a dense fatty mass. The skin produces so much sebaceous secretion that it does not have time to get rid of it. To the accumulated fat are added keratinized skin cells, dust and dirt particles. The result is the appearance of comedones and acne. If these formations are not dealt with, then the fat-mud mass in the pores is affected by pathogenic microorganisms, and ulcers and boils appear in place of the blackheads.
Age-related changes. Aging skin gradually plumps and sags, causing the pores to stretch and their openings to become more noticeable. In this case, using peeling is useless: the condition of the skin will improve, but the oval of the face will not be tightened.
Excessive use of decorative cosmetics. Thickly applied foundations, powders and other means of masking defects clog the skin canals. The situation is aggravated by women themselves: they do not wash off makeup thoroughly enough, or even go to bed without washing their face, or use low-quality and expired products.
Improper care for oily skin, use of inappropriate creams and cleansers.
Addiction to cigarettes and alcoholic beverages.
Incorrect diet, replete with fatty and fried foods, marinades, baked goods, and sweets. The body gets rid of excess fats and carbohydrates from food in various ways, including through the skin.
Hormonal disorders associated with endocrine pathologies, puberty, pregnancy, menopause. The T-zone usually suffers: forehead, nose, chin. But in adolescence, expansion of the skin canals on the cheeks is also possible. Moreover, if the skin is oily, then this problem can remain for life.
Pathologies of metabolism and digestive system.
Frequent exposure to the sun, visiting solariums and beaches. Under the influence of ultraviolet radiation, the skin ages faster, collagen synthesis is disrupted, the sebaceous glands begin to work with excessive activity, which inevitably leads to blockage of the ducts.

Why do pores expand?

The reasons for clogged pores are explained by their functions and anatomical structure. The network of skin pores consists of multiple tubules, to which the sweat and sebaceous glands are close. Each pore contains a microscopic hair because it begins with a hair follicle extending to the surface of the skin. The pores are designed to remove sebum from the dermis and allow unhindered growth of even hair invisible to the eye.

Cosmetologists call pores the lungs of human skin and a full-fledged organ of the body’s excretory system. They participate in the process of heat exchange, promote breathing and external hydration of the skin, protecting it from dryness and premature aging. Therefore, it is important to keep your pores clean.

An increase in pore size is a sign of contamination. First of all, the blockage and stretching of the tubules is affected by the increased production of secretions by the sebaceous glands. The skin does not have time to free itself from excessive amounts of fat, to which, over time, dead epithelial cells, atmospheric dust and hair flakes adhere. As a result, the stomata of the hair follicles become so clogged that in the mirror we begin to notice unaesthetic acne and comedones. If you ignore this skin signal, harmless blackheads become a breeding ground for bacteria and microorganisms and turn into painful pustules and boils.

Enlarged pores make themselves felt in the T-zone of the forehead, nose and chin. During periods of hormonal surges, such as adolescence, the ducts become wide in the cheek area. For those with oily skin, this situation may persist for many years.

The tubules do not become dilated just like that; there are internal or external prerequisites for this. Special cosmetic peelings to narrow pores will help solve the problem, but this will be a temporary measure. Only an integrated approach will help you get rid of such decorative facial defects seriously and for a long time. To do this, you need to understand which of the provoking factors is present in your life, and then try to eliminate or weaken it.

excess decorative cosmetics. Blockage of the skin tubules is caused by frequent and generous application of foundation, powder or other greasy and heavy concealers. Don’t be overzealous with applying makeup, wash it off before going to bed, get rid of expired and low-quality cosmetics;
incorrect care for oily skin. Using nourishing or moisturizing products that are unsuitable for this skin type;
frequent smoking and drinking alcohol provokes increased toxicity of the body;
unbalanced diet, high in fatty, fried and pickled foods, as well as baked goods and confectionery products. Processing complex carbohydrates and fats forces the body to get rid of excess calories in all possible ways, including through the skin;
genetic predisposition to oily or mixed skin type is the only factor that is unlikely to be changed. In this case, physical and chemical peelings, as well as compliance with personal hygiene rules, will help reduce the appearance of enlarged pores;
hormonal imbalance or disruption of the body's endocrine system. Especially at the stage of puberty, pregnancy or menopause;
metabolic disorders and gastrointestinal diseases;
abuse of solarium or prolonged exposure to the sun. Ultraviolet radiation causes photoaging and disruption of natural collagen production. As a result, the function of the sebaceous glands hypertrophies, which negatively affects the condition of the pores.

Only professional salon procedures provide noticeable results in smoothing the skin microrelief. There are several types of peelings for enlarged pores that cosmetologists offer women as treatment. What kind of specialist you choose depends on many factors. For example, from a tendency to allergies to fruit acids, the presence of concomitant chronic diseases, inflammatory processes and injuries to the skin.

Popular physical techniques for reducing facial pores are cryotherapy, microcrystalline dermabrasion and laser peeling. They differ in the depth of effect on the skin (superficial and median), indications for use and cost.

Cryotherapy. The effectiveness of such peeling is based on the known ability of soft tissues to contract under the influence of low temperatures. Facial massage with liquid nitrogen is suitable for any age and helps to tighten pores equally in both young girls and older women. Cold causes the ducts to close at the level of protective reflexes. Along the way, cryomassage stimulates blood circulation in the affected area, accelerates metabolic processes in epidermal cells and slows down the functioning of the sebaceous glands;
Microdermabrasion. Unlike cryotherapy, microcrystalline dermabrasion is a more aggressive and expensive type of peeling. Indications for it, in addition to serious skin porosity, are age-related changes. With microdermabrasion, the surface of the skin is smoothed by hardware grinding with a diamond tip or brushes with micron-sized diamond crystals. The procedure is painless, but requires only during the cold season. Enlarged pores are eliminated using microdermabrasion in 4-5 peeling sessions;
Laser peeling. The operating principle of laser peeling is based on the physical treatment of facial skin with a laser tip with a specific beam wavelength. The light beam causes a change in internal processes in the epidermis, triggering natural rejuvenation. Regenerating under the influence of laser treatment, the skin is smoothed, enlarged pores become less noticeable. The visible effect of laser peeling appears after the first session, the result of a course of 6 procedures lasts up to 4-5 years.

Almost all physical peels for enlarged pores have contraindications. Therefore, do not decide on your own which technique is right for you; consult a cosmetologist.

Home remedies for tightening pores

Salons offer a wide range of intensive pore cleaning methods, but effective peeling can also be done at home.
But the result will not be quick; several procedures will be required. It usually takes up to 2 months to restore a person’s attractive appearance. The most popular home recipes that tighten pores, giving the face a healthy and well-groomed appearance:

If you ask what the simplest and most popular homemade facial peeling recipe is, many women will answer - soda. A tablespoon of baking soda is diluted with water to a mushy consistency. Add a drop of lavender oil (or tea tree). The product is applied to the face and rubbed in with massage movements for 5 minutes. Wash off with warm water and use vitamin cream.
Take 3 teaspoons of oatmeal and chopped lemon zest, 1 egg white, 15 ml of squeezed lemon juice. The ingredients are mixed and applied to the face. After 20 minutes, wash off with warm water.
Take 2 teaspoons of potato starch, 3 ripe strawberries, 1 egg white, 10 ml of olive oil. Mix the ingredients, apply to the face, rub in with massage movements, hold for 20 minutes, rinse with warm water.

Narrowing pores with home remedies

Salon peelings are certainly an effective remedy in the fight against deep pores on the face. But you can reduce the appearance of enlarged pores without leaving home. The main thing is to be patient, because it is not easy to return your face to its attractive appearance and its smoothness using proven folk remedies. It may take about 2 months to achieve a noticeable effect from home peeling against large pores.

Peeling mixture with oatmeal

3 tsp oatmeal;
3 tsp crushed lemon zest;
1 egg white;
10-15 ml. fresh lemon juice.

simultaneously mix all the ingredients of the peeling mixture;
apply the composition to the skin of the face;
rinse with warm water after 20 minutes.

Strawberry peeling with starch

3 large fresh strawberries;
1 egg white;
2 tsp potato starch;
10-15 ml. olive oil.

simultaneously mix the peeling components;
apply the product to the skin of the face;
massage with your fingertips and leave the mixture for 20 minutes;
rinse off the composition with warm water.

Whatever the choice regarding the appropriate peeling to minimize enlarged pores, cosmetic procedures alone will not be enough. Even if it is a course of treatment. Only an integrated approach will help you forget about the problem of lumpy skin for a long time, which, in addition to daily and proper facial care, will include a balanced diet, giving up bad habits and unlimited visits to the solarium, and, if necessary, diagnosing hormonal levels and the functioning of the entire endocrine system of the body.

clay to tighten pores

White clay Its other name is kaolin. It is what is most often used in clay face masks for whitening, nourishing, restoring, cleansing the skin and tightening pores. Kaolin is rich in silica, zinc and magnesium. It is a powerful natural antiseptic, which makes it a unique component in masks for oily and problem skin. White cosmetic clay dries out inflammation well, whitens blackheads, tightens pores, and reduces oily skin, especially when paired with zinc oxide or sulfur. Its only disadvantage of kaolin masks is:. THEY can dry out the skin. Green clay is OFTEN used to strengthen hair and combat oily skin on the face and scalp. Masks made from it are an excellent tool for deep cleansing and simultaneous toning of the skin. This cosmetic clay contains almost all the minerals necessary to nourish the skin: manganese, phosphorus, zinc, magnesium, calcium, copper, cobalt, molybdenum, silver, iron. It is well suited for both oily and mature skin that has lost its elasticity and tone. Also, green clay masks have a lifting effect and strengthen the oval of the face. Blue clay, like Green clay, is very rich in mineral salts and trace elements, especially copper and chromium, the salts of which give it this shade. Cleanses, nourishes and disinfects the skin well, smoothes out fine wrinkles, and increases skin hydration. Improves blood circulation, and blue clay masks on the calves and ankles help get rid of the feeling of heaviness in the legs. It is often used for anti-cellulite wraps, and in folk medicine and home cosmetics. TO combat hair loss Red clay Improves nutrition and blood supply to the skin, relieves redness, irritation and peeling, prevents the progression of rosacea. Reduces the manifestations of allergic reactions on the skin. Just like pink (essentially a mixture of red and white clay) is well suited for thin and sensitive skin. Gray clay Increases skin tone and has a lifting effect. Cosmetic gray clay masks are well suited for all skin types, but especially... FOR mature and fading Black clay is especially rich in carbon compounds, magnesium, strontium, calcium, quartz and iron. Like white clay, it has strong antiseptic properties and is ideal for oily and problematic skin. Black clay masks make hair less oily. It is also often used in figure correction and cellulite control programs: for example, for body wraps (clay is diluted with water to the consistency of sour cream) or clay baths (100-200 g of dry clay is added to the bath). One of the most saturated in mineral composition -. Dead Sea black clay yellow clay Contains a lot of Iron and potassium, has a slight exfoliating effect, removes toxins, improves complexion and helps saturate the skin with oxygen. In addition, yellow cosmetic clay nourishes dry hair well and helps get rid of dandruff.