How to get pore-fect skin
2016-05-04
One of the most common questions I get asked is how can I get rid of my open pores? In answering this question there is both good and bad news. First, it's important that we understand what a pore is. By understanding this you will realise that the bad news is that you cannot remove or actually close a pore. The good news is that at ELEMIS, we can give you the right products to help improve the appearance of them. A pore is the pathway for oil to reach the skin. At the base of the pore is a sebaceous gland which makes sebum to help keep the skin moisturised and protected. The sebum or oil travels up through the canal and exits through the pore. Now it's important to look at why our pore sizes enlarge. You may notice that people with oilier skin tend to have larger pores, with so much oil production, the pores get blocked which can result in inflammation within the pores. This inflammation and extra sebum causes build-up and stretches the walls of the pore canal. After a while with this constant stretching, the elasticity of the pores reduces, and the opening becomes larger. It’s not just oily skins that have a concern with open pores, I have a lot of clients who have a skin that is showing signs of ageing and little oil yet the pore size has enlarged, this is due to the degradation of natural proteins which maintain the skin’s texture and complexion. The skin also loses its elasticity through excess exposure to sunlight which can damage the collagen in the skin, ultimately reducing elasticity, which in turn leads to increased pore size as well.
My top tips for helping reduce the appearance of pores:
1. Start by introducing double cleansing to your routine.
Cleanse with a deep cleansing cleanser like Nourishing Omega Cleansing Oil that will make sure any excess oil and impurities have been lifted out of the skin and then follow with Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash and then use your toner.
2. Exfoliate at least twice a week with Papaya Enzyme Peel mixed with Skin Buff.
By combining the two products, you will benefit from both a mechanical and enzymatic exfoliating treatment. Simply take equal amounts of both product and smooth over the skin for 8 minutes to allow the Pineapple and Papaya enzymes to slowly nibble away the dead skin cells that may be blocking the pores. At the same time, you are giving your skin a deep cleansing. After 8 minutes use light circular movements to begin the mechanical part of the treatment as the spherical beads gently polish the skin’s surface. Then rinse off and tone (don't over exfoliate as you will over stimulate your skin).
3. After exfoliating, always apply a treatment mask as you will have now removed that dead layer of skin that would have been blocking the way for your treatment mask to work. I would say that the best choice would be Dynamic Resurfacing Gel Mask as this revolutionary gel mask helps refine and smooth the skin surface. Combining patented Tri-Enzyme technology with Amazonian Acerola Cherry, White Truffle Poria Cocos, Great Burdock and Erysimum, the formulation encourages effective re-texturising of the skin’s surface and balancing of sebum levels without compromising natural pH levels. No matter the age or skin type the skin will feel instantly smoother, shine free and more radiant.
4. Make sure you are applying a good sun cream with a high SPF to help protect against the UVA sun damage that will cause your skin’s collagen levels to deplete and elasticity to reduce.