If you are plagued by acne or are unhappy with the way that your skin looks, chances are good that your problems could largely be solved by reducing the size of your pores. When you reduce the size of your pores, you essentially make the skin look a lot more smooth and together, rather than dimpled like the side of an orange. Here are some tips for minimizing how large your pores are so that you can feel satisfied with the appearance of your skin.

1. Reduce the Amount of Emollient Products That You Use

Your first step is going to be to reduce the amount of emollients that you put on your skin, because these tend to clog your pores. A product is an emollient if it is has a creamy texture and is relatively thick. Many moisturizers fall under the category of emollient. In order to reduce the amount of emollients that you use, you will need to do some research to find moisturizers, sunscreens, and other types of skincare creams that are specifically designed not to clog your pores. Use these products to replace the emollients that you currently use. 

You want to try to avoid clogging your pores because when you clog your pores, you pack them full of material and force them to be larger.

2. Don't Use Harsh Cleansers

Your body produces oil on your face in order to get rid of any irritants that it might be exposed to. This oil can get stuck in your pores and force them to be larger than normal. As a result, you are going to want to avoid putting anything on your face that will stimulate the production of oil. This includes cleansers. Try to use cleansers that are marked "gentle" in order to avoid potentially irritating your skin, causing a rash and an increase in oil production. 

3. Get Rid of Any Extra Oil

Finally, you are going to need to get rid of any extra oil that your skin might be producing by absorbing it. By wearing a clay facial mask on a regular basis, you will be able to absorb all of the excess oil. You can also seek out makeup products that are designed to absorb oil that can be worn underneath your usual layer of makeup. Either way, getting rid of the oil will help your pores return to their normal size.

By reducing the amount of pore clogging material on your face, you can cause your pores to reduce in size naturally. For more dramatic options, talk to a cosmetic dermatologist, such as at Greater Des Moines Dermatology, P.C. He or she might have surgical methods that will help reduce the size of your pores.