Large Pores on Nose Causes and Ways to Shrink Them

Large pores on nose are unsightly. Luckily there are numerous interventions available to get rid of the condition. This article explores simple home remedies and commercial products you may consider as well as the advanced medical interventions available.

Are very large pores concern?

Pores are an essential part of the skin. The oil glands, hair follicles, and sweat glands all end there. They play essential physiological roles such as skin hydration and sweat elimination.

Enlarged pores can, however, leave you worried whether you are dealing with serious medical conditions. In most of the cases, enlarged pores are not a cause for concern. They are more of an aesthetic concern than a medical concern.

 

That said, nobody wants to be reminded of the existence of nose pores every time they walk past a mirror.

Causes

There are three major causative factors for big ones, namely, oily skin, aging, and sex according to The British Journal of Dermatology.

Oily-skinned individuals overproduce sebum, the oily substance that helps to keep the skin hydrated which often mix with dirt and plug the hair follicles, consequently making the skin pores to appear larger.

Moreover, as we age, the skin tends to lose its ability to produce collagen and hence lose its elasticity. This coupled with accumulated sun damage over the course of many years often makes the pores to look bigger.

As for sex, the male tends to have bigger pores than females and women tend to develop large ones during menstruation due to the hormonal changes associated with it.

Genetics also has a role to play in the size of pores; some people have genetically determined bigger pores. If one or both of your parents have big pores, you may as well ultimately experience the same concern.

Clogged ones on nose and forehead

One of our readers recently expressed her concern with enlarged and seemingly clogged pores on her nose and forehead.

While the nose is the part of the face most affiliated with this problem, other areas of the face that tend to be oilier can as well be affected. This is especially true of the forehead and chin. Together with the nose, these comprise the T-zone of the face which is a common trouble spot.

When clogged with oils, they swell and appear to be wider than they normally are. Observing proper skin care regime is key to reducing the appearance of pores be it on nose, forehead, name it. Specific skin care and treatment measures are subsequently outlined in this article.

Blackheads

Blackheads constitute of sebum – skin oil – that is trapped in skin pores and are often associated with enlargement of nose pores. When the naturally yellowish sebum gets exposed to air, it oxidizes and becomes black in color.

The black plug in the blackheads can make your pores appear large. While cleaning the nose to get rid of excess sebum can help to reduce the formation of blackheads and reduce the size of pores, excessive cleaning is counterproductive as it encourages increased production of sebum.

How to Cover and clean them

To cover them and make them less visible, consider using a primer. They are especially useful if your foundations tend to get clogged in your pores which then makes your pores to appear bigger after applying makeup.

Applying a primer creates a physical barrier between your facial skin and the makeup which will then make a significant boost in your overall skin appearance. Some of the best skin primers to consider are:

• Bare Escentuals Prime Time Foundation Primer
• Laura Mercier Foundation Primer Smashbox
• Photo Finish Foundation Primer

As for cleaning them, wash your face twice daily with warm water and a gentle cleanser. It is also advisable to cleanse your face after an exercise session or engaging in a vigorous activity that breaks a sweat.

How to get rid of them

While they may not be a health concern, large-looking nasal pores can attract undue attention and/or make you feel self-conscious. Below is a brief guideline on how to get rid of large pores on the nose:

1. Use an appropriate cleanser

Using a facial cleanser twice daily is known to help unclog big ones and make them appear smaller.

You will want to pick a cleanser that contains salicylic acid as one of the ingredients. Salicylic acid helps to loosen and slough off dead skin cells from the skin pores and also helps to get rid of excess oil. Neutrogena line of makeup products ha superb acne cleansers that can be up to the task and makes a great place to start your search.

2. Exfoliate

Using an exfoliating cleanser regularly (preferably once a week) helps to loosen up the dead skin cells that plug pores and can make your pores look smaller. Gently rubbing your skin with a clean washcloth and your regular cleanser will do the trick, but you may as well consider getting an electronic exfoliating device such as Clarisonic or Spa Sonic.

3. Pore minimizing creams

You may also want to use pore-minimizing creams. Some of these contain ingredients that are aimed at boosting the production of glycosaminoglycans; a compound that affirms the skin around the pores consequently making them appear smaller as the WebMD says.

Paula Begoun, the author of “Don’t Go to the Cosmetics Counter without Me” recommends the following products for reducing large pores:

• Skin Balancing Super Kit
• Resist Daily Pore-Refining Treatment 2% BHA
• Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant

4. Nose strips

Nasal strips can also help to clean them and make them less visible. This is usually stuck on the nose and then peeled off after a specified period of time. The ingredients on these strips hold on to and come out with the solid debris trapped in nose pores. Biore nose strips s are the most popular out there.

In addition, you will want to consider the following tips on how to get rid of this problem:

• Avoid picking the nose as this will only add dirt and oils (from your hands) to the already clogged pores and even put you at risk of infection and breakouts.
• Ensure that your skin care products e.g. moisturizers are labeled noncomedogenic. Such products won’t clog your pores.

Best treatment

Let us now take a look at some of the most commonly used treatments that you may want to consider:

Retinol: Retinols are vitamin A derivatives that are available over-the-counter in most local drugstores and grocery stores. They are arguably the best treatment action.

Retinols provides the skin with an exfoliation action and this coupled with their ability to penetrate deeply into the skin makes them a superb treatment for big pores on nose. You should, however, start by testing the product you choose on a small area of skin especially if you have sensitive skin as they sometimes cause peeling.

Here are some more options that anyone wondering how to treat them may want to talk to a dermatologist about:

• Chemical peeling
• Laser therapy
• IPL photofacial
• Prescription retinol

Shrink or reduce them naturally

While you can’t really physically shrink nose pores to a size smaller than their natural diameter, there are various measures that you can take to reduce their appearance and prevent an exacerbation of the condition. Below are a number of tips on how to shrink them naturally:

1. Cleanse your face

Cleanse your face with warm water and mild soap twice daily – in the morning and evening – paying close attention to your nose. Avoid cleansing more than twice daily as that can be counterproductive; it can cause more sebum production.

2. Use clay masks

Kaolin clay has been shown to do wonders for large nose pores. It helps to absorb skin oil and give your face a matte feel. Apply a mask for 15 minutes or so before washing it off with water once a week.

Paula Begoun, however, recommends ensuring that the clay product doesn’t have any irritating ingredients.

3. Honey + tomatoes toner

Cleanse your face with warm water and soap and then apply a mixture of tomato juice and honey. To prepare the mixture, add 5 drops of warm honey to 2 tablespoons of canned tomato juice and mix them thoroughly. Apply the mixture on your nose and other affected areas and leave on for 15 minutes before washing it off with warm water.

4. Green tea

The astringent properties of green tea have also been shown to be beneficial to pores. Simply brew some tea in a small pot and then spritz it on your face.

5. Steam

Steam can as well help to unclog your nose pores and shrink the pores so to speak. Drape a towel over your head while leaning over a basin of boiling water for 10 minutes once per week.