Introduction:  

Many of us have experience nasty pimples during our jumpy teenage years. Often severe acne is due to large, open pores. Enlarged or open skin pores are a cosmetic problem that many of us face. Cosmetic conditions like this may not be life-threatening and unrelated to any significant difficulties in life but they definitely affect the emotional wellbeing and a person’s self-image.  

Skin pores are nothing but the openings of pilosebaceous follicles, i.e., the sweat and oil glands in the skin. They can be a significant cosmetic concern especially for women. Identifying the cause is the obvious first step towards appropriate treatment. The skin specialist or dermatologist can advise suitable treatment depending on the severity of your condition.¹ Do inform your doctor of past allergies to medication, if any.

Suppose the presence of open pores on your face makes you uncomfortable or brings you any kind of psychological distress, you must reach out to a skin specialist for quick resolution. Make sure to consult a doctor in such a case and never self-medicate.

According to dermatological studies, following a daily face cleansing practise may significantly help in reduction of enlarged pores. Some tips you may follow for the same: Use lukewarm water rather than hot water as lukewarm is mild on the skin. Gentle washing is advisable since aggressive scrubbing can cause inflammation and enlarge pores. Choose a gentle, non-clogging cleanser to avoid skin irritation and pore clogging. Doing so regularly will give you smoother skin and better complexion.

Dr. Siddharth Gupta, MD

What Causes Open Pores? 

Open or enlarged pores can affect people of all ages, sexes, and ethnicities. The causes of open pores are  

• Oiliness caused due to sebum overproduction 
• Loose skin around the pores 
• Thick hair growth¹ 

This condition can be a result of factors like  

• Sex  
• Genetics    
• Aging    
• Exposure to ultraviolet radiation  
• Acne    
• Seborrhoea    
• Comedogenic xenobiotics¹  

Also Read: Best Home Remedies For Whiteheads

Symptoms of Open Pores: 

Symptoms include the presence of large visible dot-like holes on the skin. The open pores can be of three types, as per a scientific study: Visible pores (0.1–0.6 mm²), Enlarged pores (0.3–0.6mm²), and blackhead embedded skin pores. ¹ 

Studies have demonstrated that oil and dirt are one of the major causes for open pores. For those who may not know, Fuller’s earth (Multani mitti) acts as a great adsorbent, removing debris and excess oil. It gives you fresh, vibrant, and glowing skin at a highly affordable cost. You may use it as a face pack mixed with water to reduce the size of facial pores.

Dr. Rajeev Singh, BAMS

Suggested Home Remedies for Open Pores: 

You can use these remedies to help you with fix at least some of the open pores if not all. In addition, these remedies can help you take care of your skin, prevent formation of more open pores, keep skin healthy overall, and protect it from external damage. The ingredients mentioned below are all natural remedies for open pores.  

1. Fuller’s earth:  

An irritated, damaged, or swollen skin can make the pores appear more prominent.² Fuller’s earth or Multani mitti is an excellent ingredient for irritated and aggravated skin. Applying Fuller’s earth can give you cooling action and skin-soothing benefits. It helps remove the impurities from the skin.³ It is an effective remedy for oily and irritation-prone skin. It also helps get rid of swelling and calms the skin.⁴  

To use Multani mitti for large pores, you can make a face pack using Multani mitti and some rose water. Mix them to make a paste. Apply this paste evenly on the skin. Wash it off with water once it’s dry, and pat dry with a clean towel. You can replace the rose water with yogurt or tomato juice too.      

PharmEasy Recommends – Vlcc Ayurveda Multani Mitti Face Pack

2. Gram flour:  

Gram flour, commonly called Besan, is nothing but flour obtained from ground chickpea. Gram flour has been used extensively for ages for its beauty benefits. You can use gram flour to help exfoliate and clean the skin. It also helps reduce the oiliness from the skin.⁴  

You can make a face pack using besan, yogurt, and olive oil. Mix these ingredients into a fine paste. Apply this face pack on your face. Let it dry. Wash it off with cold water. After washing off the face pack, you can rub some ice on your face and apply some water-based moisturizer afterward.  

3. Oats:  

Colloidal oats offer many skin benefits. Colloidal oatmeal can help you relieve skin irritation and itchiness. It protects damaged skin from harmful external agents too. Hydration is extremely essential for skin health to maintain its barrier function. Applying colloidal oatmeal can help retain the moisture in the skin and keep it hydrated.⁵ All these benefits help maintain the skin’s health and prevent it from being damaged. Skin pores appear larger in irritated and damaged skin.²   

You can make an oatmeal face mask. Take colloidal oatmeal and mix it with honey to make a paste. Apply this paste evenly on the face and let it dry. Once dried, wash it off with warm water. Apply moisturiser as a final touch.  

4. Ice cubes:  

Ice cubes can help you combat your open pore problem. Rolling some ice cubes on your skin can help you tighten the skin of your face and close the open pores. It will also help you soothe and tone skin. You can also rub ice cubes on your face after applying any face pack.³  

5. Exfoliate:    

Exfoliating can help you make your pores less visible. Find a way to exfoliate correctly without damaging the skin. If you are not used to the process of exfoliation, you can reach out to a skin doctor or dermatologist. They can help you find the best method for your skin type.²  

You can make an exfoliating facemask using colloidal oatmeal. Mix colloidal oatmeal, honey, and egg whites in a bowl to make a paste. Rub this paste gently on your face and leave it for some time. Rinse it off with water and use a soft towel to pat dry gently. Another way is to simply mix colloidal oatmeal and some water to make a smooth paste and follow the steps above.    

Also Read: Best Home Remedies For Dry Lips

6. Sunscreen:  

Sun damage can make your skin less firm. You might notice more pores on your skin as it loses its firmness. You can use a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher to protect the skin from sun damage. You should use a sunscreen every day, irrespective of the weather outside.²    

PharmEasy Recommends – La Shield Spf 40 Sunscreen Gel

7. Non-comedogenic skincare products:  

The term non-comedogenic means the product does not clog the pores and prevents formation of comedones or pimples. A clogged pore can expand and become more noticeable. To avoid this, you should use products that have ”oil-free,” ”non-comedogenic,” and ”won’t clog your pore” written on them.²  

8. Clean your face:  

An oily complexion or clogged pores can make the pores on your face appear more prominent. Cleaning your face two to three times a day can help you prevent the oiliness and clogged pores. While washing your face, keep the following things. 

• Wash your face gently; using excessive force can damage your skin, causing swelling. In addition, swollen skin might make pores more noticeable.   
• Use warm water to wash your face. Using very hot water can cause skin damage, causing the pores to appear larger. 
• Use a non-comedogenic cleanser for your skin. To prevent the pores from clogging and skin irritation.²  

9. Diet:    

Sebum overproduction might result in enlarged pores. Sebum is secreted by the sebaceous glands present beneath the skin. The food you eat might provide the substrate to produce sebum. Following a proper diet might help you get rid of enlarged facial pores by lowering sebum secretion. You can avoid foods with a high glycaemic index.¹ Some examples are,  

• Processed foods, for example, chips    
• Fast foods like burgers and pizzas    
• Backed foods like white bread, doughnuts  
• Sugary drinks like soda, sports drinks, and sweet tea⁶  

Also Read: Natural Home Remedies for Oily Skin

When to Seek Medical Help: 

If the open pores cause persistent pimples, too much itching, large pus-filled acne, or are leaving too many marks, consult a skin specialist and take necessary treatment. Speak to a doctor before taking any medication, as certain medicines may have severe side effects.

If the open pores present on your skin make you feel uncomfortable about your appearance or bring you any kind of psychological stress, you can seek medical help from a healthcare professional.  

Also Read: What is a Sebaceous Cyst: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options

Conclusion: 

Open pores are cosmetic problems that affect people of all ages, and sexes. However, women might be more affected by its repercussions. Open pores can result from sebum overproduction, thick hair growth, and lack of skin firmness. Depending upon the cause, treatment can be offered by a skin specialist. You can also use home remedies to relieve open pores. For example, you can use ingredients like Fuller’s earth, gram flour, or oats to make face packs. These face packs can help you get rid of open pores and make the skin healthy.    

Also Read: Effective Home Remedies for Anti-Ageing

Frequently Asked Questions:  

Also Read: Removing and Preventing Blackheads on Nose: A Complete Guide

References: 

1. Lee SJ, Seok J, Jeong SY, Park KY, Li K, Seo SJ. Facial Pores: Definition, Causes, and Treatment Options. Dermatol Surg . 2016 Mar 23;42(3):277–85. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26918966/ 

2. American Academy of Dermatology. What can treat large facial pores? [Internet]. [cited 2022 Jun 2]. Available from: https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-secrets/face/treat-large-pores 

3. Yadav N, Yadav R. Preparation And Evaluation Of Herbal Face Pack. International Journal of Recent Scientific Research. 2015;6(5):4334–7. Available from: https://www.mchemist.com/herboglo/pdf/4%20rakta%20chandan.pdf 

4. Pal RS, Pal Y, Wal P. In-House Preparation and Standardization of Herbal Face Pack. The Open Dermatology Journal. 2017 Nov 7;11(1):72–80. Available from: https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/1ca2/5c17343fd28d0dfa868e2abd0919f8e986dd.pdf 

5. Makdisi J, Kutner A, Friedman A. Oats and Skin Health. Oats Nutrition and Technology. 2013 Nov 18;311–31. Available from: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/9781118354100.ch15 

6.  Cleveland Clinic. Glycemic Index and How It Affects Your Diet – [Internet]. [cited 2022 Jun 10]. Available from: https://health.clevelandclinic.org/glycemic-index/  

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