Pore Minimiser Hero

Tea Tree Oil Could Be Your New Pore Minimiser Hero

Having enlarged pores can feel like the unwelcome guest, to say the least! They're pesky, annoying and no one likes having them around. It can be even more frustrating when you consciously take great care of your skin and have accomplished your best skincare routine, yet still experience enlarged pores on the surface of the skin.

Rest assured, pores themselves aren’t all bad. If you are stressing over the size of your pores and are trying to find new ways to get rid of them, you’re not alone! However, they do serve a very important role by supporting the barrier function of your skin, so it’s best to address them by minimising the appearance rather than focusing on eradicating them completely.

Now despite what you may have read previously about getting rid of enlarged pores, unfortunately there’s no real way of closing them up or to permanently shrink them further than their normal healthy state. The good news is that there are many techniques like cleansing regularly and using products containing tea tree oil or salicylic acid which can help enlarged pores appear smaller, therefore giving off a smoother looking complexion and of course, the desired goal of a clean, sleek makeup finish!

Although before we get into the pore minimising heroes and tips to reducing their appearance, it’s best to understand the reasoning behind the pores of your skin – what is their purpose and why might you experience enlarged pores? There are many factors (both controllable and uncontrollable) that you might not have considered previously, but don’t worry, we’ll give you more insight into these factors shortly…

So, what’s their purpose?

Pores are an essential part in our overall skin health. They are small openings in the skin where they allow sweat and natural oils (known as sebum) to escape, enabling us to maintain healthy skin and protect the skin against infection and dryness. Most importantly, it’s keeping your pores clean (no matter what size they are) that’s essential to ensuring you’re able to maintain healthy skin and avoid those pesky breakouts! Which is why minimising them is key as opposed to getting rid of them completely.

What are the possible factors that cause enlarged pores?

Genetics
Unfortunately the biggest uncontrollable factor that largely determines the size of your pores, is your genetics. Those who have inherited larger pores, may experience naturally oily skin due to more oil being released through the wider openings.
Ageing
As we age, the collagen in our skin breaks down, resulting in loss of skin elasticity. With less elastin and collagen production, pores appear a lot larger without the support of firm skin around them. Oh how we take younger, more collagen-rich skin for granted!
Environmental stresses
Environmental stresses such as excessive sun exposure can also cause the skin to lose its elasticity making pores appear even larger than before due to lack of firmness in the skin. So best to get into the habit of applying SPF daily regardless of whether or not you’ll be exposed to UV rays, this is to help protect your skin and keep it firmer to better support those pores.
Neglecting your skincare routine
Letting your regular skincare routine slip could be another factor which can lead to oil, dead skin cells and dirt to get in and clog the pores - this can then influence the likelihood of your pores to appear bigger, so make sure you keep on top of that skincare routine!

5 Pore Minimiser Tips & Hero Ingredients

1. Tea Tree Oil
This essential oil originates from Australia and is derived from the leaves of the tree Melaleuca. It is a much gentler and more natural alternative that helps soothe and improve the appearance of irritated skin with its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.
Acne and breakouts are primarily caused by clogged pores and it’s common for people with blemish-prone skin to use products containing tea tree oil because of its antiseptic qualities. When applied, tea tree oil blends in with the skin’s natural oil, preventing acne-causing bacteria from growing within blocked pores, therefore reducing the appearance of large pores and the likelihood of future breakouts. In addition to this, not only does it prevent excess build-up of unwanted oils and infection in the skin, it also has the ability to moisturise and hydrate the skin. Our Clarity Wand, as an example, contains the powerful tea tree oil ingredient ideal for targeting congested pores and comforting irritated skin.

2. Salicylic Acid
Choosing a gel-based cleanser that contains salicylic acid is essential for clear and refined skin. It provides a deep cleanse for those pesky congested pores by removing excess oil and preventing accumulation of sebum build-up. This ingredient helps target acne quickly by breaking down skin debris that clogs pores, all while smoothing the appearance of the skin’s surface. Salicylic acid can be found in both our Rejuvenate Cleansing Gel and Clarity Gel Cleanser, perfect for cleansing away daily build-up of oil and removing impurities.

3. Cleanse regularly
To keep your pores clean and to avoid dirt build-up from entering, it’s vital to keep on top of your cleansing routine! Throughout the day, bacteria, pollutants, dirt and old dead skin cells pile up which can lead to clogged pores. So, cleanse regularly, 1-2 times a day (morning and night preferably) and don’t forget the golden rule: taking your makeup off before bed!

4. Exfoliation
Exfoliating will always be the key to healthy looking skin and a smooth complexion. We recommend continuing with your usual exfoliation routine that works for your skin. If you don’t yet exfoliate your skin, this may be a good tip if you’re needing to reduce the appearance of enlarged pores. Reason? This will ensure you are able to effectively sweep away dead skin cells from clogging up the pores and reducing the likeliness of dirt build up.
Bonus tip: If you’re looking for a natural ingredient in your exfoliant, one that includes fruit enzymes are perfect for gently lifting dead skin cells, leaving a smooth skin surface.

5. Water-based products
If you experience oily skin and large pores, using water-based products over oil-based products can benefit your skin in a way that it avoids excess oils from seeping its way in and clogging the pores, once again, making them appear larger.

Last simple tips before you go:
• Always rinse your skin after exercising, although sweating is beneficial for the skin, leaving it on the surface could cause further clogging of the pores.
• Double cleanse when you can to ensure your skin is rid of all impurities
• Last but not least, we’ve all heard it before - stay hydrated! Drinking plenty of water throughout the day, as we know, is one easy step to help improve your skin’s overall complexion.