Even with a solid skincare routine in place, enlarged pores can be such a frustration. Although there is now a multitude of products to mask unsightly pores, from industrial strength primers to Korean pore balms there is nothing quite as satisfying as thoroughly removing the build-up of gunk from our pores.
And now thankfully there's a solution... without a single pore strip or extraction tool in sight!
Meet the best pore shrinking method you will ever try!
As someone with a fairly oily t-zone, although it has improved with a more educated skincare routine and age, I have always been interested in new ways to unclog my pores and rid myself of unsightly blackheads - because there're certainly enough of them!
Which how I came across this highly effective 3-step pore shrinking method by Asian skincare blogger, Fifty Shades of Snail. Although you could click through and follow Jude's steps I thought it would be good to share my own success story and results with this method, while also recommending some affordable western skincare products equivalents you could pick up for this treatment opposed to Korean ones.
First, Jude starts by stating that it's possibly a myth that what we consider are blackheads covering our noses is in fact much more likely to be sebaceous filaments. Which are basically made up of a mix of sebum/oil, dead skin cells, bacteria and even a single hair that are able to fill and I guess stretch the pores - ergh! However, these are the pores that can be cleaned out making them appear smaller and the skin brighter and cleaner looking!
What you will require to temporarily banish sebaceous filaments
You will need only three products for this routine and it will take around an hour to complete (don't worry it's mainly waiting around!). You may want to avoid this method if you suffer from rosacea or sensitive skin.
A 2% BHA product (generally salicylic acid) with a pH between 3 and 4. My recommendation - The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution (£4.50 for 30ml - out of stock but worth adding to saved list until it's restocked) and (Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant (£8.00 for 30ml trail size perfectly for this use)
A clay mask. Most clay masks will do for this!
My recommendation - The Body Shop Himalayan Charcoal Purifying Glow Mask (£17), Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque (£5.19) and Innisfree Super Volcanic Pore Clay Mask (£9.55)
An emulsifying oil cleanser, preferably mineral oil-based, or a pure carrier oil.
My recommendation - Palmer's Ultra Gentle Facial Cleansing Oil (£5.95), Hylamide High-Efficiency Face Cleaner (£13.30) and Superfacialist Vitamin C + Skin Renew Cleansing Oil (£7.33)
How to clean your pores/sebaceous filaments
Can be used twice a week to keep pores looking much cleaner - trust me, it works!
1. Apply your BHA solution to the areas your pores are most visible (this works well on the nose).
As BHAs are oil soluble, they’ll be able to penetrate deep into the pores loosening the oil-based gunk making the following steps more effective. Wait 20-25 minutes.
2. Without washing the above solution off, apply your clay mask of choice. Leave on for as long as the mask instructions state, do not leave on for longer.
3. Remove the clay mask with lukewarm water taking extra care with your water temperature as both the BHA and clay mask can be drying and you don't want to increase the dryness of your skin. Pat your face dry.
4. Generously apply your cleansing oil and leave. This will help draw out the gunk! Wait 15 minutes.
5. Next, without removing the cleansing oil gently massage your face or the areas you have applied the cleansing oil. At this point, you may feel a grit like texture, these are the little clogs that have been stuck in your pores! However, if these don't appear don't worry or over rub as it is still working and cleaning out your pores. Massage gently for a maximum of 4-5 minutes, any longer may result in broken capillaries (blood vessels) something you do not want!
6. Finally, rinse off the cleansing oil and continue with the rest of your skincare routine as you would after cleansing.
Once you have completed the process your skin may look a little red (but amazingly clean and with less obvious pore!) and feel on the dry side, especially if you have dry skin, so do not refrain from adding moisture back into the skin with a hyaluronic based moisturiser or serum. I would, however, suggest avoiding any actives on the skin such as AHA's BHA's and Retinol for 24 hours and using SPF in your skincare routine to protect the skin.
As sebum is a natural product function of the skin, your pores will fill back up within a few days however Jude's wonderful method can be used 1-2 times a week to keep unsightly large pores to a minimum.
I have so far used this pore fighting method 3 times to amazing results and will go back to this time and time again as done with the correct skin care it's kind on the skin yet highly effective!
If you try this out do let me know how you get on.
Fee xo.
