Everything You Need To Know About Your Pores 

Sure, you very likely know what pores are, but do you know how they work, their effect on acne, and how to keep them their cleanest and clearest?

Maybe. 

But there’s also a solid chance that you don’t know everything there is to know about pores, which is why we’re so excited to take a deep dive into pore health today. 

So get ready for the tightest pores of your life, ladies! This article is going to teach you all that you need to know about pores. 

What are pores?

Pores at the tiny “holes” covering every inch of your skin. These “holes” or openings in the skin release oils and sweat.

In fact, there are two types of pores. You have both oil pores and sweat pores, and your body is covered in both of them. The only place where you don’t have oil pores are on the palms of your hands and the soles of your feet. 

In terms of the visibility of pores...

For the most part, sweat glands are so tiny that you won’t see them. 

On the other hand, oil pores can be seen when not properly taken care of, and they are the pores that can contribute to acne. 

How do pores work?

For the purposes of this article, we’re going to focus on your oil pores since these are the pores that contribute to acne. 

So how, exactly, do these oil pores work?

Well, as much as oily skin is often thought of as a bad thing, if your skin isn’t producing oil, you’ll end up with very dry skin. 

Instead, you want your sebaceous glands to produce oil. In particular, sebum is the oil that your skin produces to keep it lubricated. The pore is the opening that allows this oil to travel up to the surface of the skin to keep it hydrated and healthy. 

Here’s where acne comes into play... 

If your pores are clogged with dirt, excess oil, makeup, or bacteria, this means that the oil from the sebaceous gland can’t travel up to the surface to the skin. The result is a buildup of oil beneath the surface of the skin, resulting in the formation of a pimple, or, when multiple pores are clogged, acne. 

It’s also important to keep in mind that, on occasion, your oil glands might just be overactive, producing more oil than your skin needs, resulting in a blockage. 

In these instances, exfoliating or cleansing might not be enough to keep the pores clear. You might need to consider things like diet,hormones, stress, or sleep to get your oil production under control. 

So how do I keep my pores clear?

Okay, so now that you know the basic idea of how your pores work, you’re probably wondering what you can do to keep them clear. 

Well, first off, you probably won’t be too surprised to discover that cleansing every day, twice a day is of the utmost importance. Once in the morning to rinse off oil buildup from the night, and once at night to wash away impurities from the day (this is especially important if you wear makeup). 

In addition, be sure to gently cleanse your face after sweating intensely since sweat left on the surface of the skin can clog your pores. 

In addition, regular exfoliation is something that you’ll want to add to your skincare routine. If you’re not sure whichexfoliant would be best for your skin type, this article should guide you in the right direction. 

Exfoliating regularly helps scrub out dead skin cells from the pores along with dirt/oil buildup. 

Just be sure to only exfoliate 1-3 times/week (more if you have oily skin, less if you have sensitive skin). Over exfoliating your skin can lead to irritated skin, and the more you irritate your skin, the more likely it is that inflammation will take place, leading to acne. 

Pores Summed Up 

The bottom line with pores is, as much as you might want to shrink your pores, you don’t want to get rid of them completely. Pores are what allow our skin to breathe. 

On the other hand, overly large pores are much more susceptible to blockages, and thus, more acne. 

Manage the size of your pores by keeping them clear with consistent cleansing and regular exfoliation. 

And, if you’ve really had it with your pores and you’re looking for a product that is known to help reduce the appearance of pores, we highly recommend checking out ourLUMENE Deep Pore Clarifying Mask. 

You’re one step closer to clean, clear, virtually pore-less skin.