Rough pores become as noticeable as they are because they either get clogged or they get infected, which makes them inflamed and grow more prominent. If enough of your pores become clogged, then your skin’s texture can suffer immensely, and you can say goodbye to smooth skin. Luckily, though, course pores are not an indicator of some severe health problem, and you can easily deal with them, so long as you know what to do.
1. What Causes Coarse Pores?
Because of its use as your body’s first line of defense, your skin is exposed to a lot of things in the environment that can cause rough pores. This makes it hard to pinpoint what is safe and what isn’t, but whatever does cause your pores to enlarge can easily be remedied or avoided, so long as you’re actively looking out for these factors. Here are just a few of them.
1.1 Dirt and Pollution
One of the main reasons why you even get coarse pores in the first place is because your pores get clogged. But what clogs your pores? Dirt. Well, dirt and dead skin cells, but mostly dirt. Your pores produce a substance known as sebum, which is an oil that helps keep your skin hydrated. Now, have you ever tried pinching the mouth of a hose while there’s water running through it? The hose builds up pressure because the water has nowhere else to go.
This is what basically happens when dirt is preventing the oil from coming out. The dirt can force oil buildup inside your pores, which then leads to your pores dilating in order to compensate for the pressure.
1.2 Aging
As you grow older, your skin loses much its ability to maintain its shape. This means if your pores have the tendency to keep stretching, eventually, it will take longer for it to go back to its original size. After a while, your pores won’t be able to shrink back at all. This is one of the factors that can be difficult to counteract, since everyone’s skin loses a lot of its elasticity as they age.
1.3 Excessive Smoking and Drinking
We are all familiar with how unhealthy too much drinking and smoking can get, but they can also be huge contributors of uneven skin texture and coarse pores. Smoking not only causes your skin to dry out, but cigarette smoke could also contain sediments that can get lodged in your pores, which can lead to them clogging up. Dry skin also loses much of its elasticity, which smoking, and drinking can cause.
1.4 Irregular Schedules, Lack of Sleep and Changing of Seasons
Your skin is easily affected by not only your immediate surroundings, but also your daily habits. Lack of sleep, for example, can cause your skin to lose its luster, and can worsen the effects of rough pores. The sudden changes in temperatures brought about by the change in seasons can also dry your skin out and cause your pores to dilate and become larger.
1.5 Strong Oil Secretion
Although your skin needs oil in order to maintain its moisture levels, too much of it can actually cause your pores to expand. Strong oil secretion can put pressure on your pores, forcing them to stretch out and expand, with or without dust or skin cells to clog them. Excessive production of oil can also lead bacteria taking root inside your pores, which can inflame them, and eventually can cause acne to form.
1.6 Lack of Hydration
A properly hydrated skin is healthy skin, and if you suffer from dryness or dehydration, your body will notice it. Dry skin can cause your skin to overcompensate and produce excess oil, in an attempt to lock in what little moisture is left under your skin. This overproduction of oil, as we’ve mentioned before, can cause your pores to expand, in order to accommodate the sudden increase in oil production, which then leads to rough pores.
2. How to Deal with Rough Pores
Rough pores can be a handful once they start popping up, but they’re not impossible to deal with. Some can easily be done at home and can be integrated into your daily habits without fuss. Here are just a few ways you can deal with coarse pores.
2.1 Open Up Your Pores and Keep Them Clean
While it may seem counterintuitive, one of the best ways to deal with a heavily dilated pore is by opening them up and cleaning them out. Of course, opening the pores up without the right tools can cause them to expand further, and might even lead to your pores to be inflamed and lead to a breakout. One of the best ways to open your pores for deeper cleaning is by simply using warm water.
The steam from warm water can not only moisten and soften your skin, the warmth should also be enough to encourage blood flow into your pores, allowing them to relax and dilate naturally. Once they’ve opened up nicely, you can then use your favorite cleanser and clean those rough pores right out. Using cold water afterwards will then force those pores to close up, making it hard for dirt and other nasty from getting in after cleansing them.
2.2 Eliminate Inflammation on the Skin
The reason why coarse pores look so prominent is because they become inflamed. While certain bacteria are the common causes for this inflammation, some irritants in the environment are also contributing factors. A good way to eliminate large pores is by simply eliminating this inflammation.
One of the best ways to do this is by using cleansers that contain anti-inflammatory ingredients, such as salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide. You can also start eating foods that are rich in fatty omega-3 acids, such as salmon, mackerel and other oily fish. It might take a couple of months of daily treatment for you to notice any results, but it will happen.
2.3 Shrink Your Pores
Another way to eliminate rough pores is by simply shrinking them. As we’ve mentioned before, washing your skin with cold water after cleansing it can shrink your pores quickly. Another excellent way to close up your pores is simply by using the right skin care products.
2.4 Increase Collagen Production
Collagen is a type of protein that works as your skin’s scaffolding. It helps maintain your skin’s structural integrity, and its elasticity. Encouraging your skin to produce collagen can help it maintain the natural shape of your pores, no matter ho much they’ve dilated. You can encourage your skin to produce more collagen by simply consuming foods rich in vitamin C, such as citrus fruits. Eating protein can also help with the production of collagen, so make sure you eat plenty of protein, too.
2.5 Lock the Nutrients In
A great way to keep your pores healthy is by keeping whatever nutrients your skin has from being washed away by sweat, or through over washing. You can do this by simply using milder soaps when you’re washing your skin, or by using skin care products that can help lock the good stuff in your skin from getting out. Some skin care products could also add nutrients into your skin as you use them, as well.
3. Other Habits
3.1 Keep Yourself Hydrated and Eat Properly
Of course, it’s not always possible to prevent your skin from losing moisture, or from losing any nutrients it has in it. That’s why it’s important to keep yourself stocked up in both water and nutrients, in order to replace whatever you may lose as you go about your day. Drinking at least 3 liters of water a day is a good start if you want to keep hydrated. On the other hand, eating fruits and vegetables rich in vitamins and minerals, instead of junk food, can help maintain healthy skin.
3.2 Clean Your Skin Properly and Exfoliate Regularly
Although rough pores may seem prominent, the damage they cause your skin is mostly, pardon the pun, skin deep. Washing your skin properly can help smooth out whatever imperfections there are and can help clean off any dust that has latched on to your pores. Exfoliating at least once a month can also help you clean as deeply as possible as well as encourage newer, healthier skin to show.
3.3 Balancing the Oil Out
The surface of your skin requires a perfectly maintained balance in order to be healthy. Too little oil can cause your skin to dry out. Too much oil and your pores can dilate and cause havoc on your skin texture. Your skin care goals should never be about eliminating the oils completely or to just leave them be, but to maintain equilibrium. Find a good balance between washing, cleansing and maintaining the oil your body produces naturally.
