Pore me! A sad tale about large pores.

Once upon a time there was a young woman with large pores...

Seriously?! Who doesn't think they have large pores? Those who are blessed enough, by genetics, to have flawless baby-like skin are rare. 

What you need to know about pores:

Pores are glands that secret oil and sebum. If you have oily skin, chances are, you have enlarged pores. If you have dry to normal skin your pores are usually smaller. If you pick at your acne, you probably have enlarged and inflamed pores. If you suntan, you probably have enlarged pores (or will in a short time). 

Collagen fibers in the skin start to decrease in their numbers, they stiffen and break apart. Elastin fibers lose elasticity and thicken into clumps and fray. Fibroblasts, which are what make both of them, decrease as well. 

Without getting too technical, your pores are made of skin; skin is made of 2 main ingredients collagen and elastin. As we age the firmness goes away, that's why we get wrinkles. It also causes enlarged pores. Sun damages skin and causes premature wrinkles and enlarged pores. Acne is icky stuff in your pores which enlarges them (usually they go back to normal size) and if you pick you can damage the skin and cause...yup you guessed it...enlarged pores! If you don't wash off your makeup and the dirt of the day...guess what....yup it sits in your pores and stretches them out! 

Bottom line folks, take care of your skin!!!!!!

Can I shrink my pores? Can I make my pores smaller?

No. Sorry. You are born the way you are born and damage is not reversible to your pores (except with cosmetic surgery and even that isn't 100% guaranteed). BUT THERE IS HOPE!!!

While you can't undo what you did, you can use certain products that can help minimize the appearance of pores.

Stay tuned for my review of pore minimizing products and makeup tricks!