When you look in the mirror, do you feel that your skin would look more attractive if you could shrink those large pores? There’s actually a lot you can do to make pores less noticeable. Much of this, you can do on your own.
Here’s what dermatologists recommend.
The word “non-comedogenic” means the product won’t clog your pores. When pores clog, they expand, which can make your pores look more noticeable.
To avoid clogged pores, look for one of the following terms on everything you apply to your face:
– Non-comedogenic
– Oil free
– Won’t clog pores
If you don’t see one of these terms, don’t use the product.
Clogged pores or an oily complexion can make pores look larger. Cleansing twice daily can unclog pores, prevent clogged pores, and reduce oiliness. When cleansing your face, you’ll want to:
– Use warm water. Hot water can irritate your skin, causing pores to look larger.
– Gently wash your face. Scrubbing can irritate your skin, causing inflammation. When skin is inflamed, pores tend to be more noticeable.
– Find a gentle, non-comedogenic cleanser. Again, you want to do everything you can to stop irritating your skin and stop clogging your pores.
If you have oily skin, mild acne, or your skin appears less firm than it once was, pores can look larger. Using a skin care product with retinol or retinyl palmitate may help. For best results, apply the product before going to bed.
Some people find that this type of skin care product irritates their skin. You can prevent this by washing your face and then waiting 30 minutes to apply the product.
If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, you shouldn’t use a product containing retinol or retinyl palmitate.
Acne clogs your pores, which can make your pores more noticeable.
Using a cleanser with salicylic acid may help. Studies show salicylic acid can unclog pores. Some cleansers containing salicylic acid are gentle enough to use every day.
If the salicylic acid dries or irritates your skin, try alternating cleansers. Use a mild, non-comedogenic cleanser when you wake up and the salicylic acid cleanser before bed.
Many people who have acne need more than salicylic acne to control their acne. You’ll find more information about how to treat acne at, Acne: Diagnosis and treatment.
The more sun damaged your skin, the less firmness it has. When skin starts to lose its firmness, pores look more noticeable.
Applying a broad-spectrum, water resistant sunscreen with an SPF 30 or higher helps prevent sun-damaged skin. To protect your skin, apply sunscreen every day, even when it’s raining or cold outside. Every time the sun’s rays hit our skin, they can damage our skin. This damage builds up over time.
Exfoliating may make pores less noticeable. To get the results you want, you need to exfoliate safely to avoid damaging your skin. You can find out how to do this by watching, How to safely exfoliate at home.
If exfoliating your skin makes you uncomfortable or you aren’t sure this is right for you, a board-certified dermatologist can help. By seeing a dermatologist, you can find out whether exfoliating may help make your pores less noticeable. A dermatologist may also be able to exfoliate your skin during an office visit.
Scrubbing your face won’t make it any cleaner, but scrubbing can irritate your skin, which can make your pores look larger.
Picking at, squeezing, or digging into your pores can also irritate your skin, making pores look more noticeable.
For these reasons, you want to be very gentle with your skin. Never scrub, rub, pick at, or squeeze the skin on your face.
As we age, our skin loses its firmness and starts to sag. Pores look larger when skin sags.
A board-certified dermatologist can examine your skin and tell you what can tighten your skin. Many procedures can be done in a dermatologist’s office and require no downtime. You can find out about the many options for giving your skin a lift at, Many ways to firm sagging skin.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States with an estimated 9,500 people diagnosed with the condition every single day. And while many of us think that we’re properly protecting ourselves from the effects of UV rays with our daily dime-sized amount of SPF, that’s not even close to enough. So how much SPF do we need? According to the experts, you’re probably not using enough.
“Sunscreens are needed because they protect the skin from harmful UV rays that cause skin damage and accelerate aging,” Dr. Kim Nichols, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and SkinCeuticals Partner Physician, tells TZR. “Beyond the adverse effects of aging, SPF also protects against adverse health conditions including skin cancer.” But with such responsibility falling on the essential skincare product, the amount required is more than, say, our daily moisturizer. “According to the American Academy of Dermatologists, most adults do not apply enough sunscreen, with the majority of people only applying 25 percent to 50 percent of the proper amount,” Dr. Nichols says. What’s adequate, she says, is a whopping one ounce — or the equivalent of a shot glass — for face and body combined.
When speaking solely about the face, however, Tiara Willis, esthetician and founder of social media platform Makeup For WOC recently shared on Twitter with her 250,000 Twitter followers that adults should be using two fingers’ worth of SPF to adequately benefit and protect their skin. The amount startled her Twitter feed, with Willis receiving over 10,000 responses to the tweet. However, her advice isn’t particularly new. The “rule,” which stems from a 2002 study by a group of New Zealand doctors, was developed from the fingertip used in skincare which measures the amount of cream or ointment to be used in dermatology.
And while many of Willis’ followers admitted being hesitant to try the rule, afraid of their skin becoming too oily, others dove right in. “Ever since people started applying two fingers of SPF, I’ve gotten hundreds of tweets saying they’re already seeing results in their hyperpigmentation, dark circles, texture and even acne,” Willis tells me. She insists that the rule applies to both lighter and darker skin. “Information regarding skincare for Black skin isn’t easily accessible, so it’s very rewarding seeing so many Black women achieve their skincare goals.
To see the best results, Dr. Nichols suggests applying SPF in the morning at least 20 minutes before sun exposure so that it has time to absorb into the skin. “I recommend applying after a moisturizer, and before makeup,” she says. “Additionally, if you are planning on spending the day outside, remember to bring your sunscreen with you to reapply every two hours for proper protection.”
And both Nichols and Willis agree that the same amount is needed in the fall and winter, too. “There are two types of UV rays: UVA rays and UVB rays,” Dr. Nichols says. “The shorter UVB rays are what causes sunburns, and they dwindle in the colder months as they are less able to cut through clouds and reach the Earth’s surface. However, the longer UVA rays persist all year, and actually penetrate deeper into the skin to cause the dark spots and wrinkles associated with sun damage. By continuing to wear your SPF all year round, you’ll protect your skin and more effectively prevent common signs of aging.” And if you’re in an area with blistering winters, you should be extra cautious. “UV always reflects off of snow, making it more intense,” Willis says.
We only include products that have been independently selected by The Zoe Report’s editorial team. However, we may receive a portion of sales if you purchase a product through a link in this article.
“For patients with oily skin, I love the SkinCeuticals Physical Matte UV Defense SPF 50, which is a broad spectrum 100% physical tinted sunscreen with an oil-absorbing base that leaves a long-lasting matte finish,” Dr. Nichols says. “The weightless mousse formula dries into a powder to prevent excess oil production, and is non-comedogenic.”
Created with all natural ingredients, this formula, made particularly for dark skin leaves zero white cast.
One of Willis’ favorite formula, this oil-free formula protects without the risk of breakouts.
With absolutely no fragrance or essential oils, this highly-concentrated SPF enhances the skin barrier creating protection from UV rays.
With absolutely no stickiness, this sun milk is super lightweight and protects against rays without white cast.
For anyone who frequents a full-face of makeup, this may be the formula for you. Doubling as a primer, Unseen blurs pores and enhances the texture of the skin.
This innovative formula, with a heat-sensing essence in the cream that gets stronger with heat, gives long-lasting protection that won’t leave you greasy.
Blended with vitamin E, this formula aids in improving skin’s moisture retention as well as increasing firmness.
Ideal for dry skin, this skin, which boosts collagen growth, has vitamin B3, ex
Combating dark spots and signs of aging, this Clarins formula works both on face and body.
Just when our appearance becomes so important and we want to look our best, acne can begin. Some teens seem unfazed by acne. For most teenagers, however, this especially visible skin problem can be upsetting.
If your teenager seems upset by acne, here’s how you can help.
1. Take acne seriously
Telling your teen that the pimples, blackheads, and other blemishes will eventually clear on their own may do more harm than good. While waiting for acne to clear on its own, your teen’s self-esteem could plummet. Many studies show that having acne tends to lower self-esteem.
Kids who have acne can also be bullied. Classmates may call them names like “pizza face” or “crater face.” They may tell them to wash their face. Bullying can also lower self-esteem.
Studies show that self-esteem rises when acne clears. Treatment can help clear acne.
Treating acne now can also prevent acne from worsening. Without treatment, acne sometimes becomes severe. When severe acne clears, it can leave permanent acne scars.
2. Be cautious about reminding your teen to use acne treatment
For treatment to work, your teen must use it. To help, you may want to remind your teen to use the acne treatment. Do this cautiously.
In a small study, dermatologists found that when parents reminded their teens every day to use their acne medicine, the approach backfired. The teens said the daily reminders felt like “nagging.” This caused the teens to use their acne treatment less often. Fewer reminders from parents may be more effective.
What may help is to keep all of your teen’s dermatology appointments. Studies show that most people, including teenagers, are more likely to follow a treatment plan right before and after an appointment.
3. Try to reduce stress
During the teenage years, just about everything can seem stressful. That said, anything you can do to reduce stressful situations can help. Stress can cause acne to flare.
4. Watch for signs of depression
Having acne can affect how teens and even adults feel about themselves. Many studies have shown that having acne can lead to depression, anxiety, or both. The longer one has acne, the more likely these problems are to occur.
Studies have also found that clearing acne can relieve depression and anxiety.
Because depression can have such a devastating effect on one’s life, it’s important for parents to recognize the signs, which may include:
-Sadness that lasts for two weeks or longer
-Loss of interest in activities that your teen once enjoyed
-Tendency to avoid social activities, even with people their own age
If you notice any of these behaviors while your teen has acne, it may be time to see a dermatologist for acne treatment. Thanks to advances in treatment, virtually every case of acne can be successfully treated.
5. Let your teen meet with the dermatologist alone
If your teen sees a dermatologist, giving your teen time alone with the dermatologist can help everyone. It allows the dermatologist to find out want your teen wants and create a bond. This can be a lot harder to do when a parent is in the exam room.
Most teenagers get acne. If the acne upsets them, having someone who can help them see clearer skin is sure to be appreciated.
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