Enlarged pores on the face are a relatively common, but also easily resolved, skincare concern.
The cause of oversized pores is almost always excessive sebum production and build-up. Sebum, the oily substance that your skin naturally produces, can become blocked in the skin thanks to pollution, skincare routine or even stress!
Pores with excessive sebum often, as a result, collect dirt, dead skin cells and pollution from the environment as it adheres to, or becomes blocked in the skin by the excess oils.
There's four simple steps to reducing pore size and you can do them all at home:
Sugar exfoliation
Yoghurt mask
Tea tree oil cleanse
Coconut oil moisturizer
Exfoliate
Removing the build-up from your skin through exfoliation removes the physical plug that prevents your pores from closing tight.
Choose a product that is all natural, or whip up your own at home by combining these ingredients:
1/4 cup Raw Sugar
20mL Coconut Oil
20mL Aloe Vera Juice
4-5 drops Tea Tree Oil
Mix together thoroughly in a small bowl.
Exfoliate your entire face and neck with your product. Use gentle circular motions and scrub for at least 60 seconds. Rinse using lukewarm water and pat dry.
Cover and store any excess in the fridge and use again in 3 days for best results.
Mask
Using a yoghurt mask introduces probiotics and Lactic Acid, whose benefits to the skin and pores include to help sweep away dead skin cells, remove excess oils, plump the skin and improve the skin's natural glow!
Use about 100mL of Greek Yoghurt on it's own, lathering your face and neck. Leave for around 5 minutes before rinsing with lukewarm water.
Cleanse
Using a tea tree oil cleanse offers your skin antibacterial and astringent (pore tightening) benefits.
Choose an all natural product or you can make your own DIY equivalent by mixing a couple of simple ingredients together at home:
1 Tbsp Aloe Vera Juice
1 Tbsp Filtered Water
10 drops Tea Tree Oil
Combine thoroughly and then use to cleanse your face as normal. Be careful to avoid your eye area - Tea Tree Oil in your eyes is not very fun or safe.
Wash for at least 60 seconds using circular motions and then rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water.
Moisturize
Follow this routine with a simple Coconut Oil based moisturizer.
Coconut Oil contains Salicylic Acid, an ingredient that is excellent at deterring future build-up in the pores and acne.
Salicylic Acid will continue to work for you between routines, repelling pollutants, keeping your pores tight and closed as much as is possible.
Coconut Oil on it's own may be adequate, or you can use a product like our Hydrating Day Balm which offers all the benefits of Coconut Oil, Avocado Oil, Shea Butter, Cacao Butter, Beeswax and Vitamin E Oil, or you could make your own using (some or all of) those ingredients whipped together!
Our Hydrating Day Balm is available here: https://www.naturalaf.com.au/product-page/hydrating-day-balm
Repeat these four simple steps 1-2 times per week to maintain your skin's smooth complexion!
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