6 Facial Pore Cleanser Hacks for Flawless, Poreless Skin
Large, clogged pores aren't a good look. They're also not easy to hide - even under makeup. Luckily, there are some convenient, little hacks you can do to minimize the appearance of large pores and clean out all that gunk. So, before you start start squeezing away - a dermatologist's worst nightmare - take a look at some of these natural facial pore cleanser hacks that really work in cleaning out your pores and shrinking them, so you can look forward to a smooth and flawless complexion.
Best of all, most of the hacks mentioned below involve using basic household staples. You won't need a pore vacuum, comedone extractor or any type of rechargeable vacuum suction tool to get rid of gigantic pores.
WHAT EXACTLY ARE PORES?
Pores are the tiny dots on your skin that actually happen to be the opening of hair follicles. Each pore contains a sebaceous gland, responsible for producing skin oils. They tend to be most prominent on larger parts of the face such as forehead, nose and chin, where the glands are bigger.
But why do you get them? And why are some people more prone to getting them than others?
You're not going to be thrilled to hear this, but the size of your pores depends mostly on your genetic make up. No, really. Fair-skinned people generally have small pores, while dark-skinned people have larger pores. Those with oily skin are also more prone to visible pores, while those with dry skin often appear poreless. Unfair, yep!
OTHER CAUSES OF LARGE PORES
There are actually many factors that affect pore size. The most common is: Trapped sebum and dead skin cells that result in a pimple which consequently stretches your pores. Inevitably, the more pimples you get, the more likely you are to end up with a speckle of large pores. Don't even think about squeezing them! That will only irritate the skin and permanently widen the pore.
Too much sunshine (or should we say UV rays) can also widen pores. That's because UV rays weaken collagen and collagen loss causes an increase in pore size. In other words, always use sunscreen to keep your skin - and your precious pores - protected!
EASY WAYS TO UNCLOG AND MINIMIZE PORES
Of course, one of the best ways to keep your pores clean and healthy is to follow a regular skin care routine, which involves using a facial cleanser followed by a high quality moisturizer, as well as regular exfoliating. This will help reduce excess oil and tighten your pores. You should also look for a face wash that specifically targets large pores. Otherwise, try these easy hacks that really work in deep cleansing pores.
Steam
It might sound kind of old fashioned, but sometimes old tricks never die and the trick of steaming is very much alive in the beauty world. Pour boiling hot water into a large bowl, cover your head with a tea towel, and lower your face over it. The steam will help open up your pores and loosen any excess oil and dirt. For enhanced benefits, add 1-2 drops of tea tree oil to the water. Keep your face over the steam for 5-10 minutes. Believe it or not, it's a really great pore cleaner. When you're done, splash your face with ice cold water to close the pores. You can also invest in a facial steamer if you plan on doing it more often. They're not expensive and work really well.
Ice water
To tighten pores, the greatest and simplest trick in the book is ice water. Rinse your face with freezing cold water to quickly tighten pores, reduce inflammation, and take away any puffiness. Not only is it great for the skin, it's also a great energizer. A few splashes of mega cold water to your face will make you feel more awake, more refreshed and totally energized.
Peel-off mask
Choose a peel-off mask with special blackhead remover properties. Alternatively, make your own DIY pore cleaner that also functions as a blackhead remover. Just mix a squeeze of lemon juice with a teaspoon of baking powder and a teaspoon of water. Apply to your face, let it sit for a few minutes, then wash off well with water. If you have sensitive skin, don't leave this facial pore cleanser on for more than 5 minutes.
Sea salt
Thanks to its powerful antibacterial properties, sea salt helps remove blemishes, blackheads, and large pores because it can literally pull oil from the pore. It works really well in dissolving excess oil and getting rid of any gunk hanging around on your face. The best way to use it involves combining one teaspoon of sea salt with a few drops of water to form a paste. Apply to the zit, blackhead or oversized pore, and leave it on for 1 hour. If you have sensitive skin, only leave it on for 10 minutes. Then rinse off well.
Egg whites
Egg whites aren't just there for low cal, high protein diets. They're also useful in unclogging pores. Instead of using classic, store-bought pore strips, try making your own DIY pore cleanser. And it's really simple. Just soak a stretched out cotton ball in egg whites and apply it over the affected area. Allow it to dry before peeling off, then use a face wash to remove the egg residue. Do this 2-3 times per week for best results. The egg white will cleanse, tighten and firm pores. It can also assist in blackhead removal.
Exfoliation
Using a gentle exfoliator twice a week can help remove dead skin cells and stimulate skin cell turnover to keep pores clean. Depending on your skin type, you may be able to go up to 3 times per week, but avoid going overboard as you could end up irritating your skin. When purchasing an exfoliator, try to find one that contains salicylic acid or glycolic acid. These are two powerful skin care ingredients that really help cleanse and unclog pores. They'll also improve your overall skin tone and shrink those pesky pores you've been wanting to see the back of since forever.
WHAT ARE THE BEST FACIAL PORE CLEANER?
You don't need a blackhead remover pore vacuum, stainless steel extractor tool, or other vacuum suction tools to get rid of large pores, blackheads and other blemishes. Of course, these pore cleaner tools do indeed work, but you can also find products around the home that can unclog and minimize the appearance of large pores. By all means, check out Amazon for vacuum cleaner tools and you'll find many. But if you're on a budget, you can also find cheaper ways to tackle oversized pores. Try the above hacks and see which works best for you.
