It’s not fair, but some of us were born with unsightly, large pores. My nose and forehead (the so-called T-zone) can get quite ugly if I stop my skin care regimen. Luckily for us, just because we were born with large pores doesn’t mean we are cursed to live with them. By dedicating a few minutes a week and buying the right skin care products, we can clear our pores and minimize their appearance. As an added bonus most treatments that clear pores are also effective on acne!
We first need to define your skin care goals. What is your budget? If your budget is unlimited, then there are skin care specialists who will leave your skin looking marvelous—for a price. High-end pore masks and facials can run hundreds of dollars, but I have found that the ones priced $20-50 do the job almost as well.
Are you just concerned with clear pores, or are you also worried about acne? What about your skin type? Is your skin oily? Is it sensitive? Are your problems so serious that you should see a dermatologist? By defining our goals and skin type we are able to choose the best pore clearing treatment.
Our first and simplest weapon to clear pores is the facial cleanser. A simple, gentle facial soap can do wonders in removing oil and dirt from the pores. I recommend washing your face twice daily for a week before attempting the more rigorous pore cleansing method described below.
Once you have your regular washing program in place, it is time to try more aggressive pore cleaning. A pore mask with a clay base (kaolin is usually considered the best) promotes clear pores and absorbs oil. Quality masks can be purchased for as little as $20 for 1 oz. Some masks contain additives to help those with sensitive skin or problem acne.
How does it work? The clay works like a natural sponge, sucking out all of the oil and impurities from your skin. Some people experience dryness after applying the mask, so you may want to choose one with aloe or other soothing additives. When completed, you may also want to apply some moisturizer.
Repeating this procedure once or twice a week can do wonders to promote clear pores. Of course, you should only proceed if you do not experience excessive dryness or irritation. For most women, taking these steps is enough for a beautiful complexion and the end of large pores.
Best for: Professional-grade facials and quickly clearing pores.
I first learned about Bliss Steep Clean Mask from a video a reader sent me featuring Ford Model Alejandra Cata raving about how it rejuvenated her skin between professional facials. Have a look:
Firstly, let me say that I am nowhere near as beautiful as Alejandra is in the above video. That being said, I love this product. It really does a number on my pores and seems to lighten any dark splotches from old blemishes. The exfoliating action leaves my skin feeling and looking vibrant. In the last month or so, it has be come my go-to product when I need to rejuvenate my face.
Now, let’s not beat around the bush: this product, like almost everything from Bliss, is not cheap. Having said that, I think that the product is worth every penny (with one caveat, which I describe at the end of the article). Keep in mind that you’ll only want to use this product once or twice a week, so one bottle will last a fairly long time.
Uses: Bliss Steep Clean Mask gently exfoliates the skin, resulting in a brighter and more youthful complexion. It also unclogs pores. Perfect for every skin type, especially oily or acne-prone skin.
Mechanism: This product contains has four major modes of action: antioxidants for skin brightening and age-fighting, enzymatic exfoliation to improve overall skin health and texture, anti-inflammatory action to tighten the skin, and sebum regulation to minimize oil on the face.
Antioxidants: This product contains Vitamin A, Vitamin C and Vitamin E as well as grapeseed oil. Each is a powerful antioxidant that serves to lessen damage to the skin cells by free-radicals. They also brighten and moisten the face as they fight the aging process.
Exfoliation: Bliss Steep Clean Mask uses a Prozymex enzymatic exfoliating agent to gently dissolve dead skin cells, resulting in a healthier, brighter complexion.
Anti-inflammatory: Salicylic acid fights facial inflammation and tightens the skin. It also fights acne and clears the pores of oil and dirt.
Sebum (oil) regulation: Bliss Steep Clean Mask contains Zinc Gluconate to lessen oil production in the pores, fighting oily skin.
Caveat: Before purchasing, please keep in mind that although the average customer review is 6-7/10, there is significant variability in customer reviews. About 2/3 of the buyers of this product absolutely love it and give it 9 or 10 stars. The other third see no improvement at all and give it 1 or 2 stars. In other words, there are very, very few “middle range.” But don’t just take my word for it, read the customer reviews in the above link.
Reoccurring blackheads on the nose and forehead are an unpleasant reality for many of us. Before you spend hundreds of dollars on expensive skin care products, read these three simple steps to get rid of blackheads. Truly, getting rid of blackheads is as easy as 1-2-3. 1) Preventing Blackheads The best way to get rid [...]
So, you’ve got your large pores under control, either by using pore masks or facial peels or acne mediation. Now, how can you keep your pores clear? Firstly, do not go overboard. It may be tempting to use a mask or peel every night, but this is not the answer. It will only lead to [...]
Featured Product. $30.00 This is my absolute favorite peel on the market today. It is full of antioxidants and citrus extracts that are thought to retard the aging
Oily skin and large pores often go hand in hand. The oil that we see and feel on our faces is known in the medical community as sebum. It is secreted by the sebaceous glands, through the pores to the skin surface. While our skin requires some oil for it to be healthy, many of [...]
Comedones, better known as blackheads and whiteheads, are a common skin condition. There are two general categories of comedones: closed comedones (whiteheads) and open comedones (blackheads). While each can be embarrassing, luckily, with proper hygiene and treatment using quality skin care products, your skin can and will look its clearest. Hygiene and Prevention The key [...]
A pore mask, sometimes known as a facial mask, is a skin care product that especially useful for skin with large pores. It is used to treat and prevent mild acne, clear and minimize the appearance of pores, and absorb facial oil. Masks with special additives may also moisturize the skin, reduce discolorations and exfoliate. [...]
Featured Product. $40.00 This is my favorite pore mask on this site. It is one of the best ones I have ever tried. Granted, I have never tried any of the $100-plus
By defining our goals and skin type we are able to choose the best pore clearing treatment.
