All skin types have their various issues, but one thing they all have in common is pores. Whether they are blocked or enlarged, pores can be incredibly difficult to deal with. A study by skincare brand Dermalex found that the average woman endures ‘84 bad skin days’ a year. Enlarged pores was one of the biggest skincare worries cited along with age spots and dark circles. Dr Kemi Fabusiwa from Joyful Skin Clinic gave us the the truth about pores.

What exactly are pores?

Pores are just glorified hair follicles. They are small openings in the skin in which oil and sweat reach the surface of your entire skin (expect for the skin on the palm of your hands or the soles of your feet). There are two different types of pores: oil pores and sweat pores. Oil pores are connected to an oil gland, these pores are large enough to be seen and are usually blocked. Sweat pores are all over the skin and can’t be seen. Your age usually correlate with your pore size because as we age, our collagen levels break down. As a result of this, our skin loses its elasticity.

What is the difference between large pores or small ones?

Large pores are caused by excessive oil production. To prevent them I would recommend a rigorous skincare regime, good quality makeup (which should be non-comedogenic) and lots of SPF. In addition to minimising pores, sunscreen also reduces the appearance of sun damage. The protection that comes from wearing SPF will help your skin maintain an even skin tone overall, hence reducing the appearance of pores.

Smaller pores are the tiny dots you see on the surface of your skin. To make larger pores appear smaller, the key is to keep them clear. Using non comedogenic moisturisers and makeup is recommended as it won’t clog the pores. Avoiding heavy ingredients such as mineral oil and petrolatum also help as they irritate the pores.

Washing your face twice a day is recommended by several skincare experts. Whether you wear makeup or not, your skin is affected by the environment. In addition to this, natural oils and sweat accumulate on the skin on a daily basis, so if you don’t wash your face your pores will appear larger and this will leave your skin looking dull and textured instead of youthful and radiant.

Is having pores a good thing or bad? 

Neither. The average adult has five million pores and there are said to be approximately 20,000 on the face alone. You can take steps to make the pores on your face appear smaller such as following a good skincare routine.

Does everyone have pores?

We all have pores. Some individuals may have larger pores, and this is purely down to genetics. Pores help to keep our skin moisturised with sebum. They are almost always visible and it’s not a bad thing to be able to see them. They naturally have a little darkness to them and are generally more noticeable on people with oily skin. The firmer your skin is, the less visible your pores will be. 

What is the best way to look after your pores?

The best way to manage your pores is to keep them clean and free of excess sebum, sweat and bacteria. People who have blocked pores can experience skin conditions such as acne. You can keep them clear with an effective skincare regime, that may include a double cleanse (using an oil-based cleanser and then a water-based cleanser). 

Acids

Acids such as AHA’s (alpha hydroxy acids) and BHA’s (beta hydroxy acids) are highly recommended by experts because they penetrate the skin and clean out the pores in the process. The idea of using an acid to minimise your pores may seem daunting, so it’s always best to use them every other day and discontinue use if any irritation occurs. Regular exfoliation also helps to unclog pores, helping to reduce them in size and over-the-counter topical retinoids, glycolic acid and salicylic acid can help keep them free from dead and dying skin cells and excessive amounts of sebum.

Sunscreen

Using sunscreen to minimise pores is essential. There’s a huge misconception about sunscreen within the black community, but the truth is that we need SPF as much as other minorities do.

Non-comedogenic makeup

If you wear makeup, particularly foundation, check that it’s non-comedogenic. Non comedogenic makeup does not contain certain ingredients that will clog your pores and lead to acne. Non comedogenic products have been clinically tested and verified in order to gain this label. Avoiding comedogenic formulations could help to cut down the amount of oil that sits on the surface of your skin, which will help in the fight against enlarged pores.

Take your makeup off at night

Lastly, sleeping with your makeup on can block your pores and lead to blackheads. When your pores are blocked, your skin gets bumpy and if you are prone to acne, you may get a breakout or two. Failing to remove your makeup properly at the end of the day can do your skin more harm than good. Un-removed makeup can even lead to collagen breakdown, which will ultimately have an impact on the elasticity of your skin.