Pores are sebum’s pathway to the skin surface and dirt-oils on surface enlarge them. Though essential for skin to breathe and let sebum out, pores can also be detrimental for skin elasticity when enlarged. Bacterial infections, acne, and dead skin cells are just a few of the highlights that enlarged pores trigger. There are home remedies for open pores.
1. Yogurt
For normal or combination skin, using a light layer of yogurt on the face for only 10-15 minutes will be sufficient. Those with oily skin can use yogurt (1 tsp) and 1 egg white together to remove excess oils as well.
2. Buttermilk
Buttermilk can be used like an astringent to clean off the dirt and tighten the pores. It can be applied with a well-soaked cotton ball on the affected area.
3. Milk
Dabbing double toned milk or milk with low fat/cream with some sea salt helps in shortening pore diameter.
4. Tomato
You can either gently massage tomato slice on the pores or use half a tomato with 2-3 garlic pods in fine paste form to apply as a layer on the face. Wash off the paste within 20 minutes with lukewarm water. Since Garlic, as well as tomato, are anti-septic and antioxidant-rich in nature, they protect skin from pore-clogging and shorten their size.
5. Gram Flour
Gram flour is alkaline in nature and Yogurt is acidic so their combination brings out the toxins, dirt from the pores and helps in unclogging and cleansing. A paste of 2 tsp yogurt and 1 tbsp gram flour for 20 minutes on the face is a perfect remedy for those with oily skin and large pores.
6. Gentle Fruit massage
What’s better than getting a soothing massage on the face especially when there are dual benefits of pore shrinkage and glowing skin. Fruits like papaya, strawberries, pineapple, oranges watermelon, etc help in supplying rejuvenating antioxidants and cleansing nutrients that help in improving skin glow and shrinking pore size.
7. Baking Soda
Baking Soda is cleansing in nature and is a great exfoliator but should be used in moderation. 2 tsp Baking Soda with lukewarm water is a sufficient cleansing and exfoliating paste that will also work on removing pore dirt and lowering their size. Users need not apply it for more than 5 minutes. #Not to be confused with Baking powder, which is an ingredient.
8. Apple Cider Vinegar
With Anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties, Apple cider vinegar is a perfect oily skin and large pores solution. Use it like an astringent and remove it with water.
9. Egg white peel-off pore shrinking Mask
Whisk an Egg white and apply gently, equally over face and leave the eyes. Then place a paper (non-fragrant tissue paper) over the mask layer and peel it off when dried. Amino acids and enzymes help in initiating pore shrinkage.
10. Steam
Sauna or Steam spa is old school but still as effective as ever. Mild steam after cleansing face will help in pore cleansing and shortening.
It’s always best to take the natural way for beauty and skincare but users should avoid using these on inflamed pimples.
You may find above mentioned home remedies for open pores, useful.
