5 Questions About Pores Answered

Pores. They are the lungs of your skin, ground-zero for acne, a daily obsession, and for many, tiny mines of confusion. To clear up the most common misconceptions about pores, we answer the questions we hear most.

At one point or another, you probably heard that washing in hot water would open pores and aid in cleaning, and rinsing in cold water would shut them tight and make them appear smaller. If only this were true. The fact is, pores are not a muscle. They don’t open and close. What they do is stretch when they get full of sebum and dead skin cells, and that makes them appear larger and more prominent. Rinsing with cold water will not make pores close. It may, however, slightly constrict blood vessels and produce a tightening of the skin that can give the impression pores have closed. The best way to remove sebum and dead skin cells from pores is with beta-hydroxy acid, salicylic acid, which exfoliates both inside the pore and on the surface of the skin to unclog pores. Use it in a regimen with benzoyl peroxide, which releases oxygen in the pore to help kill acne-causing bacteria.

If it doesn’t open the pores, why do it? Good question. The steam loosens and releases the sebum and dead skin cells that build up inside pores, aiding the next steps in the facial. Extractions are made easier and less painful. Corrective products are more readily absorbed by the skin.

The size of pores is determined by genetics. They tend to be more prominent in darker or oily skin. While it’s not possible to shrink them, it is possible to make them appear smaller. The condition of your skin makes all the difference. A buildup of dead skin cells and sebum clogs and stretches pores. Heavy makeup can also settle in pores and highlight rather than hide them. Keeping your skin free of dead skin cells, cosmetics, and excess oil helps minimize the appearance of pores. Cleansing, toning, and exfoliating are essential for this mission.

You know picking and squeezing pimples can spread bacteria and lead to scarring. But you probably didn’t realize the prodding and poking can cause inflammation that makes pores appear more visible. If you needed another reason not to pick at your skin, this is it. Instead, try running an ice cube over pimples for a few minutes a day. Not only will it give you the hands-on satisfaction you’re after, but it will also help calm inflammation, support the appearance of clearer impactions, and the cold will constrict blood vessels, making pores appear smaller.

Collagen provides firmness and structure to the skin. As collagen decreases, looser skin can make pores appear larger. With age, dead cells can accumulate, further increasing pore visibility. A REt (RP)™ Retinoid serum helps support the appearance of firm skin and refined, minimized-looking pores. It also supports the skin's natural renewal process, helping to refine the surface and keep skin looking clear and smooth. Use a REt (RP)™ Retinoid daily for the appearance of nearly invisible pores and clear skin. Vivant's Derm-A-Renew combines REt (RP)™ Retinoid with peptides in the ultimate formula to support the look of renewed, firm, smooth skin.