Do you ever find yourself looking in a magnified mirror, and think, are my pores seriously that huge?! You immediately go on a quest to find the perfect product to eliminate your pores completely. Unfortunately, you've probably come to the sad realization that making your ginormous pores disappear is physically not possible.
Pores are a natural part of our bodies with very important functions. It allows us to perspire, which is our body’s natural way of cooling off during hot weathers and workouts. It houses our hair follicles to nourish and strengthen hair before they poke out of our skin. They contain our sebaceous gland which is responsible for producing the natural oils which keep our skin from drying out.
It’s not the pores themselves which are annoying, it’s them being open and enlarged that make them unbearable. The solution you're after therefore is not to eliminate them but to minimize or shrink their appearance.
A good way to minimize pores is to go straight to a dermatologist or a beauty salon to have a pore minimizing treatment done. But not all of us have the time or resources to spend on expensive professional treatments. Luckily for you, you don’t have to! You can try several DIY’s to shrink your enlarged pores from the comfort of your home, at a time that is convenient for you. And guess what? It's a 2-for-1 because you will save money too! In this article, we will show you 10 simple and affordable remedies you can try to shrink those unsightly pores.
1. Steaming
Steaming is an easy and inexpensive way to help shrink your pores. One reason why pores sometimes appear larger than they are is because they are clogged with dirt and dead skin cells which our body has shed off. Steaming can open up your pores to help them unclog so you can wash away the dirt and grime. All you need to do is to boil water, place it in a bowl and cover it with a towel. For a relaxing home spa experience, you may also add rose petals and essential oils to add aroma. After a few minutes, take off the towel and place your face over the bowl and allow the heat of the steam to rise to your face. Stay like this for 3-5 minutes. After you've steamed your face, wash it with a gentle exfoliating face wash.
2. Exercise
Another activity which helps open up your pores is exercise. Working out opens up your pores and as you perspire, the dirt which clogs up your pores can mix with your sweat and you can wipe it away. Just be sure to wash your face after the workout, before you cool back down, to avoid any residue settling back into your pores.
3. Ice Cubes
Ice cubes can help tighten skin and shrink pores when directly applied to your face. To avoid making a mess, wrap a thin towel around the ice cube and press it up against your face. You could even use an ice pack! Washing your face with very cold water has the same effect as well. This is a fast trick you can do especially right before applying your makeup!
4. Egg Whites
Create a homemade face mask with egg whites to strengthen your skin and minimize your pores. It is a helpful ingredient which can help tighten skin and draw out excess oil from your pores. Just separate the egg white from its yolk and beat it a bit before applying it on your face. Leave it on for around 15 minutes before washing it off.
5. Cucumber
Cucumber is a very popular skin care ingredient because of its many benefits. One of which includes shrinking pores. To apply it, just extract its juices, absorb it into a cotton ball, and apply it on your face, leaving it on for 20 minutes. At that time, rinse it off with cold water.
6. Lemon
Lemon is an effective ingredient when minimizing pores as it contains vitamin C which aids in the production of collagen, a protein that helps keep your pores tight. It also contains acids which work to shrink pores and exfoliate skin. Just squeeze out its juices and apply directly on your face. Leave it on for about 15 minutes before washing it off.
7. Honey
Honey is a delicious ingredient that your face will love. It helps shrink pores and assists in preventing the excess production of oil. Just directly apply it on your face and leave it on for 20 minutes. You may even want to consider adding sugar in your honey facemask to have it double as an exfoliator as well! Simply massage the mixture into your skin and then wash it off.
8. Apple Cider Vinegar
Do you have apple cider vinegar in your pantry? This too can help shrink your pores. It is a natural astringent that can work as a skin toner when mixed with water – who knew! Just apply it on your face with a cotton ball and you’re good to go! No need to rinse.
9. Baking Soda
Baking soda has always been a household ingredient you can rely on for just about everything! But did you know that it can also help shrink your pores? To have it work it's magic, just make a paste by mixing it with water and rub it on your face. Massage your skin with the paste for around 30 seconds and rinse it off. It doesn't get any easier than that!
10. Yogurt
Yogurt is a popular ingredient for homemade masks and scrubs for both the face and the body. And there's a good reason why! It has lactic acid which helps clear dirt and tighten your pores. Just apply it directly to your face and wipe it off after 10 minutes.
You don’t need to try all of these solutions in the same day. Pick one and see if it works for you. If you don't see any results, then move on to the next and find which is the most effective for you.
