Large pores
Why do I have large pores?
Some people have large, open pores because it runs in their families. Pores get larger over the nose, cheeks, and central forehead at puberty. Some of these large pores will get clogged with dirt, dead skin, or oil, and they turn into blackheads.
How do I shrink my pores on my face?
The best treatment for shrinking pores is a family of topical medicines called retinoids. There are two options over-the-counter: either adapalene gel or retinol. I think adapalene is better.
Adapalene gel (Differin, Effaclar, AcneFree, ProActiv) – needed a prescription 10 years ago but is now over-the-counter. It works well to shrink pores and decrease comedones (blackheads/whiteheads). Use it at bedtime. See instructions below.
At bedtime, dab the adapalene gel on the outside of your face (forehead, sideburns, chin). Massage it into the outside of your face first. Then, with the tiny bit left on your fingers, massage it over and around the nose, cheeks, and lips (these are more sensitive areas to peeling and redness).
NOTE: This will dry you out. It dries everyone out! The goal is to minimize the red and flaky skin until your skin gets used to the adapalene after a few weeks.
WARNING: Adapalene gel should not be used if you are pregnant. It is a retinoid, and retinoids can cause problems to growing babies in the womb.
Right after the adapalene gel goes on, apply a lot of moisturizing cream or ointment. My favorites are CeraVe cream, Vanicream cream, or straight Vaseline (#SlugLife). You can put a thick layer of cream on because it is bedtime. It will soak into your skin more while you sleep.
NOTE: It takes a month to see results, so you have to stick with it for at least 30 days! As a side benefit, adapalene is in the retinoid family, which are the best anti-aging ingredients.
My face is peeling with adapalene. What do I do?
This is very common. Many people tell me that their skin is too sensitive for adapalene or that it made their skin peel. The real problem is that the right way to use adapalene is NOT how we naturally want to use it. Most people use too much adapalene or only put it on a few problem areas on the face.
Adapalene does NOT fix blackheads you already have on your face. It is preventative. It helps new skin grow more evenly and shrink your pores, AND it takes a full month for your skin to grow out from the base layer, so it takes a full month to start seeing the results.
The problem is that adapalene starts drying out the skin and making the skin red right away, and you have to deal with this for a full month before you see any benefits. This first month is where most people give up and tell me that adapalene doesn’t work for them.
TIPS for proper adapalene use:
Don’t use too much. A pea-size amount is enough for the whole face. Follow the steps above.
Start on the outside of your face, not the center. If your skin is peeling at your hairline, it is much less bothersome than around your nose and lips.
Moisturize! You cannot over-moisturize. You are trying to fight the dryness and peeling until your skin gets used to the adapalene.
Stick with it! You need to do this every night for a month to see the benefits. And the benefits are great! It shrinks your pores, makes acne better, and helps with aging!
If you can’t handle every night, then apply it every other night, just be consistent!
What if my pores aren’t getting smaller?
Usually, the steps above can help most people shrink their pores and get rid of blackheads Sometimes a prescription retinoid is needed. This is called tretinoin (commonly known as Retin-A). But, it is good for your skin to get used to retinoids with adapalene before starting tretinoin. If adapalene is not working, look for a board-certified dermatologist in your area. If you are in or near Utah, see one of my excellent colleagues at the University of Utah or me virtually with Honeydew.
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