If you’ve noticed that your pores appear more prominent over time, you’re not alone. Many people are interested in improving the look of skin texture and learning simple ways to help pores appear less noticeable. In this guide, we’ll look at common factors that can make pores appear larger with age and share general skin care tips to help refine the look of your complexion for a smoother, healthier appearance.
Key Takeaways
- Aging and sun exposure can make pores look more noticeable. Collagen decline reduces skin elasticity, while UV exposure weakens pore support and slows visible renewal.
- Consistent exfoliation and hydration improve skin texture. Gentle exfoliants help remove surface buildup and hydrating formulas restore the look of smoothness and suppleness.
- A targeted skin care routine enhances a refined appearance. Daily cleansing, broad-spectrum sun protection and nourishing treatments help pores appear less visible and promote a smoother, more radiant look.
The Relationship Between Pores & Aging Skin
It’s no secret that as we age, our skin loses elasticity and produces less oil. Over time, collagen and elastin production also slow down, reducing the skin’s natural “bounce back.” Pores appear larger and more noticeable as the skin around them becomes less firm and resilient. This is due to hormonal changes and changes in the connective tissues. It’s the reason why fine lines deepen into wrinkles and skin often begins to sag. Sebaceous glands also produce less oil as you get older, leading to the skin looking and feeling drier and potentially itchier than in your youth. The outer layer of your skin (the epidermis) will become thinner and more delicate as well, so this dry, itchy skin will also become more easily irritated by environmental stressors.
Why Do My Pores Look Bigger?
As skin loses elasticity and produces less oil, pores can start to appear larger. Pores themselves are elastic, and when collagen levels decline, they lose the ability to stretch and then contract back to their original size. Over time, this can make them look more visible on the skin’s surface.
The skin’s natural exfoliation process, known as desquamation, slows down with age. The result is more dead skin cells sitting on the skin’s surface for longer and filling pores that are likely to stay stretched out.
Not helping this process? Sun damage and exposure, which we often see as symptoms of aging skin. As Livestrong points out, “Sun damage creates a rim of cells around individual pores. Although this accumulation takes place on a microscopic level, the end result is noticeable … While genetics are 20 percent responsible for pore size, exposure to sun accounts for a whopping 80 percent.”
How Do I Shrink Pores & Smooth the Look of Wrinkles?
So, what are the key treatments and techniques to minimize pores while also reducing the look of wrinkles and sagging skin? Exfoliation, sun protection and professional treatments with an esthetician are your best bet. To help mitigate a slower desquamation process, incorporate gentle exfoliation into your daily skin care routine, along with professional peels that clear away the buildup of dead skin cells.
Inquire with your esthetician about booking a treatment with our Mangosteen Lactic Pro Peel 10%, which is safe for even the most sensitive skin types, minimizes the look of pores and leaves the skin feeling deeply conditioned and supple. Additionally, consider booking a skin assessment with a licensed esthetician who can create a custom skin care routine with you and address your main concerns. To get you started, we’ve put together the following at-home skin care routine featuring some fan favorite Eminence Organic Skin Care products.
A Skin Care Routine for Minimizing the Look of Pores
Exfoliation is essential if you want to learn how to minimize pores naturally, but it works best when paired with hydration. Together, these steps smooth the look of pores on both the face and nose while keeping skin healthy and resilient. The following routine focuses on these two principles to leave skin looking smooth and plump.
1. Cleanse
Our Mangosteen Daily Resurfacing Cleanser is a beautiful milky gel containing our Lactic Acid Complex to leave the skin glowing. But our main reason to suggest this cleanser? Our Eminence Organics Lead Skin Care Trainer Natalie Pergar recommends it to lift impurities and prep the skin for exfoliation.
2. Exfoliate
Also recommended by Natalie? Eminence Organics Firm Skin Acai Exfoliating Peel. Use this firming peel solution up to three times a week to reduce the look of fine lines and help minimize the look of pores on the face by clearing away dead skin buildup. If you prefer more of a physical exfoliation, our Strawberry Rhubarb Dermafoliant will leave skin feeling smooth, with rhubarb and BioComplex to improve the signs of aging. Gentle enough to use daily, our Dermafoliant can either be mixed with a few drops of water, or with a cleanser like Mangosteen Daily Resurfacing Cleanser.
3. Tone
Balancing skin’s pH level and preparing it for further treatment makes toning an essential step in any skin care routine. We recommend our Stone Crop Hydrating Mist to soothe dry skin, leaving your complexion looking bright and youthful-looking. This award-winning toner is deeply moisturizing thanks to ingredients like stone crop and aloe juice. Spritz this mist directly onto the skin, or onto a cotton round and then gently sweep it over the face.
4. Treat
To treat the skin, our Mangosteen Daily Resurfacing Concentrate and Bamboo Firming Fluid to refine the look of pores and clear buildup for smoother-looking skin. First, apply Mangosteen Daily Resurfacing Concentrate to refine pores and clear buildup. Once absorbed, massage in a layer of our the Bamboo Firming Fluid to hydrate the skin and improve the look of firmness and wrinkles.
5. Moisturize & Protect
Moisturization and sun protection are key to fighting the look of fine lines and shrinking pores. We recommend applying our Stone Crop Whip Moisturizer morning and night to hydrate the skin without clogging pores.
6. Treat Overnight
Lastly, to give your skin some extra love, incorporate our Marine Flower Peptide Night Cream into your routine. This luxurious creamy night cream works while you sleep to repair dry skin and hydrate your complexion. Apply a layer to the face and neck area before bed, massaging deeply into the skin. You will wake up with skin that looks rejuvenated and restored.
Shrinking Pores: All Your Questions Answered
What causes pores to get bigger as you age?
Pores enlarge over time due to collagen loss, reduced elasticity, and sun damage, which weaken the skin’s structure and make pores appear more visible.
Can you actually shrink your pores?
You can’t permanently shrink pores, but consistent exfoliation, hydration and sun protection can minimize their appearance and keep them clear of buildup.
What is the best way to minimize the look of pores naturally?
Use gentle exfoliants, hydrating toners and lightweight moisturizers daily. Avoid harsh scrubbing and always wear sunscreen to prevent further pore enlargement.
With this routine, we feel confident that you can tackle the visible signs of aging. Do you have any additional products you would include? What other pore size concerns do you have? Let us know in the comments or join the conversation on social media.
