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No gal wants big pores making her fantastic face look like the surface of the moon, but the notion that you can "shrink" pores is a myth. You can thank good ole Mom and Dad for your pores, because size is genetically determined. However, there are ways you make your pores appear smaller, and using Proactiv solution may be one of them.
About Pores
Pores are the openings to hair follicles. They are usually most noticeable on the face, especially on the nose and forehead. Fair-skinned people usually have smaller, less noticeable pores than people with darker skin. People with oily skin tend to have pores that are more noticeable than those with dry skin.
Pore Size
Though genetics largely determines your pore size, there are other factors that can make your pores appear larger. Pimples can cause pores to stretch out temporarily, and scarring from acne can cause pores to permanently increase in size. Also, weakened collagen in the skin, either from sun damage or aging, can cause the skin to loosen, which can make pores appear bigger.
Minimizing Pores
There are several things you can do to minimize the appearance of your pores. The most important thing you can do to keep your pores looking small is to keep them clean. This entails washing your face twice daily with a gentle cleanser and avoiding products, such as makeup that's not noncomedogenic and oil-based moisturizers, that can clog your pores. Exfoliating your skin several times a week also helps keep pores clear of debris.
How Proactiv Can Help
Proactiv is a multistep acne treatment system created by two dermatologists. The treatment has many properties that in theory should work to minimize pore size. Proactiv's cleanser has microbeads that help exfoliate skin and unclog pores. The toner has glycolic acid, which helps exfoliate dead skin cells to keep pores free of debris. Proactiv also has a purifying mask containing sulfur that "Good Housekeeping" recommends as one of the best products to reduce excess oil and clear pores.
Considerations
While Proactiv in theory may help minimize pores, there have been no independent clinical studies done to prove that. Other products may work just as well, if not better, to help minimize the appearance of your pores. "Good Housekeeping" recommends a Proactive competitor, Murad T-Zone Pore Refining Gel, as the best way to shrink pores. The magazine says the product was the only one that reduced pores in a laboratory test.
