Mistakes to avoid when dealing with enlarged pores.

Here are the mistakes to avoid if you have enlarged pores:

• Rinsing your skin with very cold or very hot water.

  Thermal shock tends to weaken the epidermis and lead to an excess of sebum. Therefore, avoid applying an ice cube to your face, even if you find this old-fashioned tip appealing.

• Not protecting oneself from the sun's rays.

  Exposing oneself to the sun during the summer season to reduce pore size may seem like good advice. However, the drying effect of the sun is temporary. The same is true for its effect on the sebaceous glands responsible for sebum production. At the start of the summer season, sun exposure can give the appearance of beautiful skin. However, at the end of the drying phase, the skin system resets to establish a reactive hyperseborrhea. Thus, the sebaceous glands produce an astronomical amount of sebum that tries to surface on the skin. As the skin is thick, the pilosebaceous follicles are blocked and the sebum accumulates in the dilated orifices. This accumulation of sebum also promotes the growth of bacteria responsible for the onset of acne. After prolonged sun exposure, acne outbreaks occur as the skin surface thins to regain its normal thickness. This is the rebound effect.

• Exfoliating one's skin.

  You should exfoliate your skin to remove dirt, dead cells, and excess sebum that can clog your pores. This beauty routine helps to refine the skin's texture. However, do this only 1 to 2 times per week. Overly frequent mechanical exfoliation can damage the hydrolipidic film, which is the skin's natural protective layer. This can result in dry skin and open pores, which will absorb surrounding dust and become even larger and therefore more visible.

• Not removing makeup.

  Removing makeup helps to prevent pore blockage.Foundation, powder, blush, etc., combined with dead skin cells and accumulated dirt, create an opaque film on the skin's surface that clogs the pores and prevents the skin from breathing properly during your sleep. Over time, due to lack of oxygen, the skin becomes a breeding ground for bacteria. In response, the skin will create redness, inflammation, dilate the pores releasing more sebum, which will promote the appearance of imperfections such as acne and blackheads.

  At Typology, thecleansing oil, themicellar water, and thecleansing balmare suitable for all skin types, even the most sensitive ones. These treatments effectively remove makeup residues and surface impurities.

  Subsequently, it is crucial to proceed to a second step to leave the skin perfectly clean (double cleansing). In addition to the makeup remover, the use of a cleanser is also important. It will gently penetrate and remove impurities, bacteria, pollution residues, etc... that have infiltrated the pores.

• Apply a highlighter.

  Avoid applying it on the forehead, nose, cheeks, or any other area where the pores are enlarged. Indeed, a highlighter tends to emphasize open pores.

• Apply a treatment rich in comedogenic compounds.

  Comedogenic ingredients are substances that can potentially cause pore blockages, also known as comedones. Avoid products that contain cocoa butter, silicones, coconut oil, and lanolin, four of the most common comedogenic ingredients in beauty products. There are excellent non-comedogenic alternatives that you can use instead, such as shea butter, and non-comedogenic oils like jojoba, almond, rosehip, hazelnut, and marula.

• Consuming too much refined sugar and fried foods.

  This can lead to the clogging of pores. Refined sugars cause a spike in the body's insulin levels, which can trigger an increased production of sebum. Try eliminating refined sugars from your diet and observe how your skin improves. You can replace refined sugars and processed foods with healthier alternatives that are just as delicious!

• Applying powder over your makeup too frequently throughout the day.

  On days when we opt for heavier makeup, such as foundation, it's tempting to keep a compact powder within reach to mattify the skin when it starts to shine around noon. However, using too much powder throughout the day can lead to pore clogging. Sebum and dirt accumulate on the skin throughout the day, and when you apply more powder on top of all this, it makes the epidermis even more congested.