Pores are small openings in the skin that allow it to breathe, producing sweat and natural oil production. Most noticeable on the face, they become an aesthetic issue among people with oily or combination skin types.
Hormones, excessive sebum production, plug formation and reduced skin elasticity are among the many causes requiring open pores treatment. While pores cannot be closed completely with proper skincare regimen, their size can still be minimised with consistent care routine.
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Vitamin A Deficiency
Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin essential for skin health. It can be found naturally in food sources like sweet potatoes, carrots, leafy green vegetables and kale as well as skincare products that include Retinoid that can be absorbed through the skin and helps with open pores treatment.
Vitamin A deficiency symptoms typically begin with impaired dark adaptation (exophthalmia), followed by symptoms like dry scaly skin, hair loss, and enlarged oil glands in the scalp and facial pores and dandruff. Furthermore, Vitamin A deficiency may alter epithelial cell morphology and function leading to increased mucus secretion from intestinal tract and reduced protective barrier function in respiratory tract.
Studies have demonstrated the benefits of vitamin A in terms of decreasing pore size, fine lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmentation and overall skin conditions such as seborrheic dermatitis or psoriasis. Furthermore, vitamin A has also been found to enhance elasticity, hydrate the skin and increase collagen production while simultaneously decreasing wound healing times and incidence rates of seborrheic dermatitis/psoriasis.
Excessive Oil Production
Your skin produces natural oil known as sebum to keep it hydrated and healthy; however, too much production may clog pores and lead to oily skin conditions.
Oily skin issues can often be recognized by its appearance hours after cleansing or the need to use several blotting sheets daily. Oily skin is more likely to suffer from conditions like dandruff, tinea versicolor (white thin patches on the scalp), and seborrheic dermatitis (thin flaky skin on face or body).
Prevent excessive oil production by using exfoliating products and following a skincare routine tailored to your skin type and consider facials for open pores. Avoid vigorous scrubbing of your face in an attempt to remove sebum; rather, gently exfoliate to gently rid of excess oil without damaging delicate structures of your complexion. Incorporating glycolic acid or salicylic acid-infused skincare products may also help decrease oil build-up on the face while simultaneously clearing away visible dirt build-up within pores.
Excessive Inflammation
Open pores become larger when skin is inflamed or infected due to certain conditions that surface during adolescence or due to sun damage to the surface layer of skin, says our best Dermatologist in Mumbai. This phenomenon may result in larger-than-usual open pore sizes for example due to sunburn damage on exposed areas of the body such as shoulders.
Over time, your skin begins to lose its elasticity and natural oil that moisturizes it decreases, leading to larger and visible pores on the forehead, nose, and cheeks. It also decreases its luminosity and glow.
Excessive sebum production may also contribute to enlarged skin pores. Each pore contains a sebaceous gland, which secretes an oil called sebum; an excessive production causes your pores to stretch and widen, particularly if you have oily skin.
Though not considered serious health conditions, you should seek medical assistance if your pores’ size or distribution increases significantly. An Ayurveda skincare regime designed to gently cleanse skin while protecting it from UV rays and curbing oil production may help decrease their size effectively.
Unhealthy Diet
Sugar, processed carbs and saturated fats can wreak havoc with your pores by inflaming them and stimulating skin oil production, leading to clogged ducts and blackheads.
Fried foods and dairy can clog pores. To minimize their harmful impact on skin health, opt for plant-based patties like the Impossible or Beyond Burger that use beans instead of meat as the protein source, while olive or avocado oils should be used when frying food items.
Conclusion
Though diet alone may not cause open pores, it’s one of the main contributing factors. Other contributing factors can include hormones (especially during ovulation), sun damage and loss of collagen or elastin which weakens skin around pores, says our best Dermatologist in Mumbai. To keep them looking their best and manage excess oil production effectively, topical retinoid may help shrink down enlarged pores by shrinking excess oil. Speak with a dermatologist about finding suitable treatment for you or try face washing products specifically designed to minimize pores to help.
