Cleanse your face with warm water to avoid irritating your skin. After cleansing, splash your face with cold water. This will make your pores appear smaller, although the effect is only temporary. Pat your face dry with a soft towel.
Choose a cleanser that’s sulfate free. Sulfates are harsh cleansers that can strip the skin of its natural oils and leave it dry and itchy. Avoid using a cleanser with scrubbing beads on a daily basis. The beads could be irritating to your skin, and should only be used 2-3 times a week.
For oily skin: Mix 1 teaspoon castor oil and 2 teaspoons jojoba oil. For combination skin: Mix 1/2 teaspoon castor oil and 2 teaspoons olive oil. For dry skin: Mix 1/4 teaspoon castor oil and 2 teaspoons coconut or olive oil.
It’s especially important to wash your face in the morning if you’re going to wear makeup. Oily, unwashed skin can prevent your makeup from adhering correctly.
One of the best ways to exfoliate is by simply using a washcloth. Wet your face and scrub it gently using circular motions. You could also use a facial loofah pad, which digs slightly deeper to remove dead skin. Facial scrubs are also good. Try a mixture of ground almonds and honey. If you have sensitive or acne-prone skin, using a physical exfoliant like a washcloth or loofah might irritate your skin. Instead, try using a chemical exfoliant, like an alpha or beta hydroxy acid. Pierre-Louis advises against using a physical exfoliant if you’re using salicylic acid, an alpha or beta hydroxy acid, a retinoid cream, or a chemical exfoliant. [4] X Trustworthy Source American Academy of Dermatology Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists Go to source
Steaming your face opens up your pores, allowing them to become unclogged. Rinsing afterward gets rid of the debris, leaving your pores fresh and clean. Use cool water to close your pores.
Store-bought clay masks are available in most beauty supply stores. Look for a mask designed to unclog pores. You can make your own clay mask by mixing a tablespoon of clay cosmetic powder (white or green), a teaspoon of honey and a teaspoon of water.
A prescribed exfoliant, like Retin-A Micro. An in-office salicylic or glycolic acid peel, which cost about $100 per treatment. A nonablative laser treatment to tighten pores by increasing collagen. This costs about $500 per treatment, and most people need 2-3.
Avoid toners that contain alcohol, which can dry out the skin. Avoid toners that contain glycerin and fragrances, since these can cause allergic reactions.
Applying a primer before you put on makeup can reduce the appearance of your pores. Always remember to take your makeup off at the end of the day!
