The pores on your skin can make the difference between smooth, even skin and a rough, dull complexion. Enlarged pores are usually associated with aging or skin that’s clogged with dead skin cells, but even the cleanest skin can experience larger pores. Although you can’t physically alter the size of your pores, you can make them appear to be smaller. Here are five strategies to try:
Eat for pore perfection: Add some flaxseed to your diet. It comes in powder, liquid or whole seed that you can add to baked goods or sprinkle on your salad, yogurt or oatmeal. The fatty acid in flaxseed is believed to thin sebum, oil secreted from the sebaceous glands, which can cause clogged pores.
Try a retinoid: Although you can’t shrink your pores, topical retinoids are known to expertly clear dirt, oil and dead skin cells out of pores and make them look smaller. Ask your dermatologist for a recommendation.
Start with a primer: Some powdered primers, like IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores ($24) will temporarily make your pores appear smaller and your skin smoother. Follow with mineral makeup that won’t encourage bacteria growth that leads to clogged pores and blemishes.
Exfoliate your skin: Don’t forget areas of your body beyond your face, such as your chest and back, which produce as much oil as your face. The pores in these areas can get clogged too, and make your skin look dull, or worse, break out.
Consider injections: In a relatively new discovery, it turns out that neurotoxin injections like Botox or Dysport may temporarily reduce the enlarged appearance of pores by relaxing the muscles around them and decrease the secretions from sweat glands.
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