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Your mother always told you not to judge people by their appearances. Unfortunately, it's not always easy to extend the same courtesy to yourself. Blackheads and large pores can cause your self-esteem to nosedive, leaving you feeling self-conscious and embarrassed. Genetics and age are the most common causes of large pores, although blackheads can also cause pores to enlarge. Even though there is no permanent way to shrink pores, products that clean pores and remove blackheads can reduce the appearance of your pores. Don't hide behind your makeup every day; get skin-confident and let the real you shine through.
1.
Wash your face twice per day with mild soap and water. Doing so helps remove dead cells and excess oil from your skin, preventing blackheads from forming. Choose a product labeled "non-comedogenic," because those products should cleanse without blocking pores and causing blackheads.
2.
Use a product containing benzoyl peroxide on your blackheads and large pores once or twice per day. Benzoyl peroxide is a typical acne treatment and comes in many forms, including bar soap, gel, cream and lotion. The product helps reduce your skin's excess oil production and gets rid of pore-clogging dead skin cells.
3.
Apply a topical medication or face wash containing retinol or vitamin C to your blackheads and large pores. These ingredients help remove dirt and oil from your skin. Retinol and vitamin C help your skin produce more collagen and elastin, which plumps it up and temporarily reduces the appearance of your large pores.
4.
Save money on a professional dermabrasion treatments by using an at-home product. Dermabrasion uses minute exfoliating beads to remove the dead surface layer of skin, allowing the soft, healthy skin beneath the surface to shine through. This can reduce the appearance of large pores and remove blackheads at the same time. Rub the product into your face with your fingertips for about one minute, then rinse and moisturize. Do this two or three times per week for the best results.
Benzoyl peroxide dries out the skin, which can cause flakiness. Reduce the frequency of usage if your skin dries too much, and stop usage altogether if the problem continues.
