Contrary to popular belief, pores are not the enemy. In fact, they have a very important - and very permanent - function, and our focus should therefore not be about trying to make them disappear. Instead, we should be learning how to care for them in the right way 👌
What Are They?
Pores exist all over the body but tend to be more visible on the face. They are small openings in the skin that connect to the oil glands and hair follicles.
What Is Their Function?
Our pores play an essential role in the body's detox processes. It is through our pores that our bodies excrete oil and sweat, thereby removing toxins from the body.
The best way to prevent the appearance of large pores is to take preventative measures like wearing sunscreen everyday and exfoliating and cleansing your face a couple of times a week. However, if you already happen to have large pores, don't be discouraged; there are ways to minimise their appearance.
What Causes Them?
1. Blockages from excess sebum production
2. Disruption of the skin's water-oil balance
3. Low skin elasticity from ageing and/or sun damage
Best Standard Beauty Products for Large Pores:
Large Pores Starter Kit
African Black Soap
Pink Clay Mask
Jelly Hydration Mask
Oil Cleanser
AHA Lactic Acid toner
BHA Salicylic Acid toner
Micro Needle Roller
Niacinamide serum
Retinol serum (*not to be combined with Vitamin C or AHA/BHA toners)
Vitamin C serum (*not to becombined with Retinol or AHA/BHA toners)
Microdermabrasion Face Scrub (not suitable for oily skin)
Our gorgeous Standard Babe Bianca loving her BHA Toner
Pore Types & Recommended Nighttime Routines (1-2 times per week only):
A. Vertical Pores: if you have saggy skin; if you have elongated pores; if your skin looks thicker
- Wash and cleanse/tone your face
- Apply Jelly Hydration Mask (can be stored in the fridge for added cooling effect) and rinse off
- Apply BHA Salicylic Acid toner and follow with Niacinamide serum and moisturiser
*Note: Retinol and Vitamin C should not be combined with AHA or BHA so, although these serums are safe for daily use, do not use them in the same routine / on the same day as these toners. These serums should also not be used together, so if you want to use them on the same day, you can use the Retinol in the morning - provided you're wearing sunscreen! - and the Vitamin C at night 🌙
B. Hairy Pores: if you spend a lot of time outdoors; if you experience severe skin problems; if you have black spots on your pores
- Wash and cleanse/tone your face
- Apply Microdermabrasion Face Scrub (not suitable for oily skin) and rinse off
- Apply Oil Cleanser and rinse off
- Apply AHA Lactic Acid toner and follow with Niacinamide serum and moisturiser
*Note: Retinol and Vitamin C should not be combined with AHA or BHA so, although these serums are safe for daily use, do not use them in the same routine / on the same day as these toners. These serums should also not be used together, so if you want to use them on the same day, you can use the Retinol in the morning - provided you're wearing sunscreen! - and the Vitamin C at night 🌙
C. Sebum Pores: if you have extra sebum around nose; if you have blackheads; if your makeup cakes when your face gets oily
- Wash and cleanse/tone your face
- Apply Pink Clay Mask and rinse off
- Apply Oil Cleanser and rinse off
- Apply BHA Salicylic Acid toner and follow with Niacinamide serum and moisturiser
*Note: Retinol and Vitamin C should not be combined with AHA or BHA so, although these serums are safe for daily use, do not use them in the same routine / on the same day as these toners. These serums should also not be used together, so if you want to use them on the same day, you can use the Retinol in the morning - provided you're wearing sunscreen! - and the Vitamin C at night 🌙
Our Vitamin C serum brightens and rejuvenates the skin
How To Use A Micro Needle Roller / Dermaroller for Large Pores:
Microneedling and dermarolling are skin treatments that use tiny needles to create small tears in the skin. The body counteracts this by producing new collagen and fresh cells to repair the skin. The newly-formed skin cells replace the damaged ones, resulting in smooth skin and smaller, less visible pores. You can read more about home microneeding and dermarolling here.
STEP 1: Sterilise your micro needle roller / dermaroller by soaking it in an alcohol solution (min. 70%) for 5 minutes.
STEP 2: Cleanse and tone your face while the dermaroller is soaking.
STEP 3: Apply serum to your face. Apply gentle pressure with the dermaroller and roll in one direction 6 to 8 times forwards and backwards: first vertically, then horizontally, and then diagonally. Lift the dermaroller slightly after each roll to create new micro-channels in the skin, instead of going over the same ones repeatedly.
STEP 4: When you’re done, you can apply another serum and/or moisturiser.
So, in closing, remember that pores have a very important function and basically here to stay. And, as far as large pores go, prevention is easier than treatment, but there are ways to minimise them once they have already formed. We hope you've found this article helpful, babe! Here's to beautiful healthy pores ✨
