Why are my pores getting bigger as I age?
Most people think that large pores are a teenage problem. They are par for the course with oily skin and acne. But well past the teen years, people commonly see those big pores come back, even when they aren’t dealing with oily skin!
The cause of large pores
Pores are what makes up that dotted-type texture that appears on the surface of our skin. They are actually small openings at the top of the hair follicles that release sebum (oil) and keep our skin looking and feeling soft and supple. As you’ve probably figured out, too much sebum can cause major issues. And that excess oil can make pores appear larger. Men (or those born male) tend to have oilier skin, but female hormones can also cause oily skin during certain times of the month.
For the most part, you can blame mom and dad for the size of your pores. Genetics is the number one determination of how big or small they are. But no matter what you’ve been given, there are a few other contributing factors.
As we age, our skin loses elasticity. Without that youth-enhancing collagen, the pores sag and droop. If you don’t practice good skincare hygiene, those pores will clog with oil, dead skin cells, and dirt, causing the pores to appear even larger! This means that your skincare routine becomes even more crucial.
Sun exposure can also affect the size of our pores. Excess damage caused by UV rays causes the skin to thicken. This is because sun damage removes collagen, elastin, and water from our skin; the tissues shrink, making the skin tougher and pores larger. This is just another reason why sunscreen is crucial!
How to shrink your pores
Cleanse your skin
Washing your face every day will remove dirt, excess oil, and other surface toxins that can cause your pores to clog.
Exfoliate
Exfoliation is the process of removing dead skin cells. It gives you a smoother texture and brightens your skin. By removing those dead cells, they’re less likely to clog pores and cause stretching.
You can exfoliate your skin by using a product that has tiny granule like particles that will buff the skin and get rid of those dead skin cells. You can also use products containing chemical exfoliants, such as alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) that enhance your natural moisture. Beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) are ideal for people with oily skin and benefit red skin and rosacea. Qyral uses both of these ingredients in our formulations, depending on your personal skin profile.
Be careful about overdoing exfoliation. This can strip the barrier of your skin and have an opposite effect. It can cause your skin to dry out and become inflamed. If you are having problems, scale back on how often you exfoliate and assess the strength of the products you are using.
Moisturize
Moisturizing your skin is a very important step, no matter what type of skin you have. Sometimes people with oily skin or large pores shy away from moisturizing because they are worried about clogging pores, but skipping this step can have even worse consequences. If your skin isn’t moisturized, it might produce more sebum to make up for what is missing. This can cause acne, even in aging skin!
Be sure to choose a moisturizer that compliments your personal skin type. Hyaluronic acid is good for almost every skin type because it’s light enough for oily skin, powerful enough for dry skin, and gentle enough for sensitive skin. And, at Qyral, we use hyaluronic acid in many of the products in our skincare regime.
Don’t forget the sunscreen!
It goes without saying that sunscreen is important when it comes to long term skin protection. It protects us from harmful, cancer causing UV rays and helps keep your skin looking supple and youthful. We’ve already mentioned that skin damage toughens the skin, which enlarges the pores. It’s a crucial step that you don’t want to miss!
Take care of your insides
Nutrition can also affect what happens with your skin. Make sure to drink plenty of water to keep your body, and your skin, hydrated from the inside. Avoid fried food because the grease you eat somehow ends up secreting to the outside- yuck! Healthy fats from avocado or fish oil can provide huge benefits to your skin, and your pores, as well.
Adopt a custom skincare routine
Everyone has a unique skin type and a one-size-fits-all solution doesn’t work for all people. At Qyral, we have developed a skincare quiz to help us find the perfect solution for your unique skin. When you take the quiz, it allows us to formulate products precisely for your skin type! If you have large pores, we will add ingredients to your routine that will help shrink them.
Take the skin assessment quiz to get started today!