Adios Large Pores - Hello Tight Skin!

So, lately I've noticed my pores are the size of craters (OK, I exaggerate...perhaps the size of dimes...or so it seems). My cheeks and nose area are plagued with enlarged pores. What gives? A girl can't settle for anything less than tight, smooth skin. So, I set off on a quest to understand what causes enlarged pores...and how the heck to shrink 'em.

What The Heck Causes Pores To Become Larger?

Large pores tend to exist on the facial area (like the nose and cheek area) and are caused by aggressively squeezing blackheads or having a heavy oil production, which causes the pore to expand and there become enlarged. Causes include:

- Genetics (thanks mom and dad)

- Improper skin care

- Excessive oil production

- Sun damage (sun damage can cause thicker skin causing skin cells to collect around the pores, thus making pores appear larger)

Is It Possible To Shrink Them?

While there is no way to physically reduce enlarged pores, the good news is you can definitely minimize them. Through proper cleansing and exfoliation you'll be showing off perfectly smooth skin in no time!

How To Kick 'Em To The Curb (Or At Least Minimize Them)

There are a number of effective ways to minimize your pores. Let's start with DIY home remedies:

- Exfoliate regularly (an exfoliate I love is Clean & Clear's Daily Pore Scrub (exfoliate at least 3x's/week)

- Mix lemon and pineapple juice. Apply to face. Leave on 5 mins. Rinse.

- Steam your face (lean over a HOT bowl of water and cover your head with a towel for 3-5 mins.)

OK ... on to over-the-counter products. There are pore-refining masks, clarifying lotions, pore-minimizing creams, and pore strips, to name a few options. Here are several products geared toward minimizing those pesky enlarged pores:

- Clinique Pore Refining Solution

- Pore No More by Dr. Brandt

- Neutrogena Pore Refining Toner

- L'Oreal Magic Base Primer (this stuff is the most amazing invention of the decade)

- Clearskin Blackhead Eliminating Mask

OK, now let's talk cosmetic options. The two gold standard options are Microdermabration and Chemical Peels.

On to Chemical peels. There are several different types of chemical peels...AHA Peel, BHA Peel, TCA Peel, Obagi Peel. I recently tried the BHA (aka Beta) Peel and was blown away by the results. BHA stands for beta hydroxy acid and is simply organic fruit acids and can be natural or synthesized. Another name for BHA is Salicylic acid (this is pretty common in face wash, exfoliates, etc). The Beta Peel is one of the most effective ways to reduce pore size (I can attest to this. After I had the Peel, my pores were NON-existent. My skin was smooth and taut). The cost can range from $175 to $350, depending on your area.

Microdermabrasion (aka Microderm) is another cosmetic option. It's been a treatment option for years and is one of the easiest and most effective methods for softening lines and wrinkles, smoothing out the skin, and reducing pore size. Microderm is essentially mechanical exfoliation (it feels like a cat's tongue licking your face). It removes the uppermost layer of dead skin cells. The cost per treatment can vary, depending on your area. Of the two (Microderm vs. Beta Peel), I have to say the Beta Peel was the most effective in reducing my pores...hands down.

So, whether an at-home remedy...over-the-counter product...or a Cosmetic Dermatologist visit, you can minimize those large pores and focus on the important stuff...like what color lipstick to go with today!

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