Valen’s Vanity Square

Can’t turn back time, can’t shrink pores

My bottle of Estee Lauder Idealist Pore Minimizing Skin Refinisher is going to be empty soon. Although the pores on my skin do look slightly smaller than they used to be 4 or 5 months ago, but frankly, the product didn’t work wonders on me. So there won’t be a second bottle of this cream on my dressing table.

May be my expectation is too high. I shouldn’t expect my skin to revert to its youngest days when one would need a magnifying glass to see clearly the pores on my face, haha! The fact is, once pores are stretched, there is no way to permanently shrink them back to their original size. However, we can do a few things to help minimize the appearance of pores and prevent them from becoming even larger.

Below are some suggestions from skin experts:

First and foremost, practice good skincare habits. Wash make-up AND sunscreen before go to bed at night. My personal opinion: Some people tend to use moisturizers with SPF at night. That’s a no-no! If you want to use whitening products, use whitening moisturizer designed for night use.

Do not pop or prick pimples as this will stretch the pores further, as well as lead to scarring. (May be I’ve done this too much when I was younger! )

Use skincare products that increase levels collagen and elastin (e.g. products with vitamin C and retinol because they increase collage production) to prevent the pores from stretching.

Use products with alpha-hydroxy acids that will help exfoliate skin, keeping it clear of oil and dead skin cells, which are culprits for enlarged pores.

Pores look more obvious when they are clogged with oil or sebum. For oily or acne-prone skin type, experts suggest using products with salicylic acid to clear out oil in the pores.

When the skin around the pores swells slightly, the pores will appear smaller. Experts believe facial serums containing vitamin C can do the trick. I rely on facial masks - feed my skin with water, it will ‘pump’ up and soft to the touch.