Our bodies are covered with pores, apart from our palms and soles. Open/enlarged/clogged skin pores are tiny openings on your skin that become more noticeable over time. The pores on the skin allow it to breathe, to get rid of toxins, and regulate its temperature. Each pore contains a hair follicle and sebaceous glands that produce sebum or natural oil onto the surface that keeps your skin hydrated and moist. It is also responsible for smooth texture of your skin. However, the large pores can make your skin appear dull, aged and can become a breeding ground for bacteria that can break out into acne and cause irritation and dryness due to lack of retaining moist.

What causes open pores?

The most common causes of enlarged pores include excessive sebum production, dirt buildup and clogging pores and causing inflammation, aging, sun damage, vitamin deficiency, thick hair follicles, lack of exfoliation, improper skincare routines, reduced elasticity around pores, and in some cases, genetics can also determines pore sizes on skin. While you cannot close pores, you can minimize the appearance of enlarged pores.

What are the types of open pores?

Not all pores look alike.  There are different types of pores according to different shapes which are caused by different factors and should be taken care of with skincare ingredients and treatments based on what skin lacks and what it needs.

These are seen on the cheeks due to reduced collagen production, constant exposed to air, UV rays, pollutants, & poor cleaning after makeup.	These are seen in T-zone (forehead, nose, and chin) especially on oily skin and also have the biggest amount of blackheads and whiteheads.	Dry skin is the cause of these types of pores

What are the natural ways of closing large pores?

1. Exfoliate regularly: means to wash or rub skin with a granular substance to remove dead cells and excess dirt from the surface of the skin. It prevents clogged pores, helps your skin appear tighter, firmer, and smoother, and improves skin elasticity. Exfoliating your skin once in 3-4 days is ideal for any skin type with paste made up of 1tsp neem or Tulsi powder with 1tsp turmeric powder and water. Rub this paste for 2 minutes and wash it off with luke warm water. Next use rosewater or equal quantity apple cider and water pray as a toner to balance the Ph of your skin. Leave it for 3-5 minutes and rinse it off.

2. Use Niacinamide/Nicotinamide:  It is a form of vitamin B3. It is found in many foods including cooked rice, millets, wheat bran, Prune puree, nectarine, avocado, orange juice, small banana, raw peanuts, lentils, legumes, and germs, sprouted wheat,  meat, fish, milk, eggs, green vegetables, and cereals. You can also take 500mg Niacinamide with food or after food for two months to see the best results. It can cure acne, shrink your pores, and give an even tone to skin. You can also use Bhumi Amla to improve your liver health that in turn makes you skin healthy.

3. Aloe Vera gel facemask: Make a paste with 1tbs of Aloe Vera gel, few drops of tea tree oil, and a pinch of sandalwood powder. Apply it to your face and wash it off after 15 minutes.  Zinc in aloe gel helps tighten pores and smoothens the texture of your skin. It also cleanses the skin and helps remove oil and dirt from your pores.

4. Sandalwood and Chickpea powder facemask: Mix these two powders of 1tsp. in ½ tsp. Multani mitti or fuller’s earth with some water to make a paste or 1 egg-white. Multani mitti removes dirt and bacteria that clog pores and makes the skin appear tighter. Apply the paste in 3 layers after the previous one dries up. Once you feel tightness, and then massage your face by sprinkling some water before washing the mask off. Do it for 10 days. Afterwards use a chemical free rose water toner. Later use moisturizer of your liking. This mask and toner along with moisturizer will help to tighten the skin and help in shrinking pores.

5. Go for kapha Diet: use lots of vegetables like bitter greens, spinach, broccoli, artichokes, broccoli, cauliflower, lettuce, popcorn, rice cakes, crackers, basil, coriander, dill, fennel, parsley, and turmeric, apples, cranberries, pomegranate and carrots are ideal, and legumes including lentils and kidney beans make great roughage. Brown rice once in a while, along with barley and wheat bran can help balance the kapha.

6. Wear a clay mask: to tighten your pores is recommended since it reduces inflammation and the appearance of lesions. These masks tend to dry up sebum from deeper layers of your skin and that in turn results in tighter pores and firm skin.

7. Cure acne: because it can cause open pores. Treating it will help reduce the appearance of enlarged pores and prevent future breakouts.

8. Use essential oils: Like cinnamon bark, oil mixed with coconut or Castro oil has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties that can improve the overall texture of your skin and make it firm.

Tips to prevent large pores

1. Wear a mineral sunscreen to avoid production of excess sebum, and to prevent dehydrating and clogging your pores.

2. Drink lots of water because dehydrated skin can result in enlargement of pores.

3. Remove makeup before bed to avoid clogging your pores and cleanse your makeup tools from time to time.

4. Follow healthy diet because studies suggest that a high carb and oily diets can result in acne breakouts and enlarged pores. Diets rich in vitamins and essential nutrients, skincare regimen and staying hydrated help to prevent enlargement of pores and keep the skin radiant, firm and healthy.