Even when using expensive decorative cosmetics, it is very difficult to disguise porous facial skin. Most often, porous skin is found in the “T” zone. To improve your skin condition, you need to understand the causes of pores. Enlarged pores often require treatment, and there are many ways to do this.
As you know, there are four main skin types: normal, dry, oily and mixed. Unfortunately, Mother Nature did not give everyone smooth, peach-like skin.
Those with oily skin face the problem of porous facial skin. Porosity occurs due to the active work of the sebaceous glands. The more subcutaneous fat is secreted, the wider the pores become.
Changing your skin type is not an easy task and is hardly feasible. And you don’t need to change anything, because those with oily skin show signs of aging much later than people with dry skin. But this is only subject to proper care for it.
Care should begin from the inside. If there is porous facial skin, there may be some problems with metabolism. You need to change your diet. First, you need to try to exclude all kinds of sweets and buns, and also drink enough water to avoid dehydration. It’s better to contact a specialist who will select a special diet that will be beneficial not only for the skin, but also for the entire body as a whole.
Porous skin requires special attention and proper systematic care, which is based on cleansing, prevention from adverse climatic influences, as well as nutrition and massage.
Causes of Porous Skin
Sebaceous glands are found on the surface of most of the human skin, with the exception of the surfaces of the feet and palms. The maximum concentration of these glands is observed in the face area; there are also a huge number of them in the area of the scalp, chest and upper back. The sebaceous gland is represented by a secretory section and an excretory duct, the functional activity of which is called the secretion and formation of sebum. Its formation is carried out in cells - sebocytes, which accumulate sebum during maturation. After development is completed, dead cells saturated with fat mass are removed through excretory ducts to the surface of the skin. The secretion of the sebaceous glands is considered to be a special mixture of lipids and moisture, the composition of which will be esters of fatty acids, alcohols, cholesterol and triglycerides.
Controlling the activity of the sebaceous glands is achieved with the help of sex hormones and adrenal steroids. Androgens are male hormones that increase sebum production and estrogens are female sex hormones that reduce sebum production.
Skin in facts and figures
The surface of the skin is on average about 2 square meters.
Skin weight is approximately 16% of body weight.
2460 milliliters of blood passes through the skin in one minute.
Human skin is completely renewed in approximately 28 days.
Together with the lungs, the skin participates in the breathing process. The skin “inhales” 3–4 g of oxygen per day and “exhales” about 9 g of carbon dioxide.
The skin of women who smoke ages four times faster than that of those who do not smoke.
The thickness of the skin of an adult is 2 mm and depends on the area of the body. The thickest skin is on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet, where its thickness can reach 10 mm.
Characteristics of porous skin
Three processes are considered to be the main problems of porous skin:
- Hyperproduction of sebum;
- Hyperplasia of cells that secrete sebum;
- Follicular hyperkeratosis is a thickening of the area of the excretory ducts of the sebaceous glands.
Porous facial skin is characterized by shortcomings that are inherent in oily and combination skin types. Failure to take proper care of such skin can lead to roughness and looseness of the epithelium; it is distinguished by its relief, glossy appearance and dull tint. Porous skin is prone to the formation of acne, comedones, sebaceous plugs, post-acne and various skin rashes.
Loss of skin elasticity causes pores to enlarge, resulting in skin signs such as photoaging and sagging, which make enlarged pores appear larger. Sebum in men is characterized by a high level of density, so enlarged pores on a man's face appear deeper and more extensive than in women. Large pores that stand out look repulsive when they are clogged with sebaceous plugs or dirt. Decorative cosmetics apply extremely unsuccessfully to porous skin, thereby emphasizing its shortcomings, in particular texture and large pores.
Causes of excess sebum
There are a large number of different reasons that influence how oily skin type develops. In the majority of cases, hyperactivity of the sebaceous glands is a hereditary cause that must be combated throughout life. These signs appear even when a person is in adolescence. However, there are other reasons why the skin may become oily (regardless of age):
- disruption of hormones;
- unbalanced food (extremely fatty, sweet, spicy);
- presence of bad habits (smoking, alcohol);
- skin diseases (fungus, seborrhea);
- use of inappropriate cosmetics in care;
- infrequent care;
- refusal of hygiene rules;
- diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, as well as biliary tract and liver;
- excessive stress;
- “chronic fatigue” syndrome, neuropsychic overload, frequent nervous breakdowns;
- diseases of the endocrine system;
- disturbances in the functioning of the autonomic nervous system;
- environmental influences;
- excess weight.
It is very difficult to understand which type of reason from the above affected the skin. In this case, it is recommended to consult a dermatologist. The specialist will direct you to take the necessary tests. In addition, hormones are also the cause of high oily skin. Thus, if there is a malfunction in the hormonal system, the level of testosterone in the blood increases, which enhances the functioning of the sebaceous glands.
It is important to check how the internal organs work, as well as the mental state. Thus, with liver disease, the skin may suddenly become oily, take on an unhealthy shade and have pigment spots with a rash. In such situations, it is possible to eliminate the problem by treating the underlying disease.
Causes of excess sebum
Features of porous skin care
Porous skin brings certain difficulties to its owner and needs a lot of attention, especially since home care alone may not be enough. Before carrying out caring procedures, it is necessary to visit a dermatologist and cosmetologist to diagnose and examine the skin condition. Experts will evaluate its moisture, oil content, elasticity and determine the presence of skin problems. In some situations, you may need to consult with specialized specialists (endocrinologist, gastroenterologist), as well as additional studies and tests to exclude or confirm the presence of pathologies of internal organs and systems.
Treatment with pharmaceuticals
An oily face and acne can be treated with the help of pharmaceutical products, which are provided in a wide range.
Before using them, you should consult with a dermatologist and cosmetologist; a specialist will be able to choose the right drug and prescribe a regimen for its use.
The use of pharmaceutical products is resorted to in advanced cases, when severe inflammation and a large number of pimples and acne are observed on the surface of the skin. Your doctor may recommend using stronger medications.
Dermatologists recommend using the following pharmaceutical products to treat severe inflammation of the facial skin:
- the use of injections with corticosteroids. If there is excessive oily skin, which is additionally accompanied by extensive inflammation and acne, then in these cases special injections can help. Corticosteroids help quickly relieve inflammation and restore skin cells.
- Isotretinoin. This remedy should be used only in advanced cases when other remedies have failed to help. Taken twice a day for one and a half years;
- antibiotics. If, in addition to an oily face, pimples and acne are observed, then doctors may recommend the use of antibiotics. They prevent inflammation and quickly restore the skin. Effective antibiotics for acne include Erythromycin and Tetracyclines.
Folk remedies
If you don’t want to use medications, then you can resort to traditional medicine. Natural products will not only eliminate oily skin and acne, but will also make your face fresh and toned.
Among the folk remedies, the following are especially effective:
- tea mushroom. First you need to prepare it. Then it is infused for 10 days. After this, make a paste from the mushroom and apply it to the surface of the face except for the eyelids and lip area. Eliminates oiliness, acne, has a cleansing and toning effect;
- lemon balm lotion. For preparation you will need vodka and lemon balm. These components are mixed in a ratio of 5:1. Next, it is infused for 5 days and then diluted with water. Regular use of the lotion will quickly eliminate pimples, blackheads, and also make the skin fresh and tightened;
- parsley decoction. It is recommended to brew fresh or dry parsley leaves. You should regularly wash your face with the prepared decoction.
Mandatory daily care procedures
Caring for porous facial skin every day consists of cleansing, toning and moisturizing it with the help of cosmetics that are suitable for the patient’s skin type. When caring for such skin, you should not use greasy products or apply thick makeup. Washing porous skin with hot water and soap, applying alcohol products, as well as aggressive cleansing can only worsen existing difficulties with the facial skin, which destroy the oil-water balance, thereby dissolving the skin membrane, consisting of water and lipids.
The following procedures will help normalize the level of sebum secretion:
- rinsing with warm or cool water;
- the use of products that lead to narrowing of pores;
- rubbing the face with cosmetic ice with herbal extracts.
Eliminating contamination from pores and removing the stratum corneum requires performing procedures such as peeling, gommage or scrub twice a week, as well as the use of cleansing strips. Masks based on white clay also adsorb excess sebum well and tighten pores. After toning and cleansing the skin, a cream with moisturizing properties is applied.
Away, wrinkles!
For most women, every wrinkle, if not a tragedy, is at least a reason for frustration. Unfortunately, until scientists have invented the elixir of youth, it is impossible to “cancel” the appearance of new wrinkles. But you can get rid of existing ones.
Cream. The most affordable way to combat wrinkles is to use an anti-aging cream. The main thing is that it is chosen correctly. The choice of cream does not depend on the number of wrinkles. But it is necessary to take into account the type of skin, the location of wrinkles and the age of their “carrier”, so it is advisable to still resort to the help of a professional, and not rely on your own knowledge or the advice of friends. Typically, anti-aging creams contain antioxidants (ascorbic acid, retinol), which protect the skin from harmful environmental influences, as well as fruit acids, which have a mild exfoliating effect. It is usually recommended to start using anti-aging cream at the age of 30, although much depends on the individual characteristics of the skin. True, in most cases, one cream is not enough to smooth out even small wrinkles, and from time to time you have to pay visits to a cosmetologist, whose arsenal also has some other means to “exterminate” folds on the skin.
One of the most popular ways to eliminate wrinkles is dermabrasion, or exfoliation of the top layer of skin using a laser or aluminum chips. Redness on the skin persists for several days after dermabrasion, so many people prefer more gentle procedures.
Myostimulation. This is the effect of electric current on the muscles of the face or body. Under the influence of current, the muscles contract, their blood circulation increases, and the tissues are saturated with oxygen. Depending on the goals you want to achieve, the doctor chooses a special program. Myostimulation allows you to reduce a double chin, sagging cheeks, reduce the number of wrinkles; with this procedure, the skin texture is evened out, elasticity increases, and a reduction in the volume of problem areas is achieved. Sometimes the effect of electric current is combined with the effect of heat. This allows you to increase the efficiency of the procedure.
Ionization. During this procedure, the effect of electric current is combined with the effect of cosmetic preparations. Under the influence of current, these drugs penetrate into the deeper layers of the skin and restore its elasticity. This allows you to eliminate wrinkles on the face and neck, and get clearer body contours.
Injections. Usually, by the age of thirty, the burden of life's problems forces us to constantly wrinkle our foreheads, move our eyebrows, and generally show our dissatisfaction with the world around us through facial expressions. As a result, expression lines appear on the forehead, around the mouth or between the eyebrows. If measures are not taken in time, expression lines will become permanent, or static. You can get rid of them using a substance with the terrible name “botulinum toxin”. If you are not afraid of injections, this is your method. Botulinum toxin is injected under the skin and prevents certain facial muscles from contracting. As a result, no matter how hard you try, you will never be able to move your eyebrows or wrinkle your forehead. This means you won’t have facial wrinkles! However, after 6–8 months the effect of botulinum toxin weakens and the injection will have to be repeated.
Surgery. Unfortunately, at a certain age (usually between 50 and 60 years old) the skin becomes sluggish, flabby, scientifically speaking, atonic. Neither anti-aging creams, nor physiotherapy, nor injections will help here. The only way out is plastic surgery or surgical lifting. Naturally, a visit to a cosmetologist is no longer enough, and you will have to go to a plastic surgeon who will tell you how the intervention will be carried out and its consequences.
Cosmetology procedures
Treatment of porous skin using a cosmetic method involves performing procedures such as:
- Facial cleansing: considered the main procedure to solve the difficulties of enlarged pores;
- Peeling (enzyme and glycolic);
- Laser skin resurfacing: aimed at renewing the epidermal layer of the skin, eliminating post-acne marks and reducing pores;
- Microdermabrasion: in terms of its effectiveness, this procedure is equal to gas-liquid peeling and is considered less aggressive in comparison with laser resurfacing.
Additional procedures for caring for porous facial skin will include the use of facial massage, darsonvalization, ultraphonophoresis, alginate masks, as well as mesotherapy using individual compositions.
Treatment of porous facial skin also involves the use of a special therapeutic massage, which is performed between facial cleansing procedures. It helps eliminate sebum from the ducts and, if used systematically, will significantly reduce the size of pores. Manual massage affects all levels of the skin - subcutaneous fat, dermis, muscles and blood vessels, and is also characterized by a drainage effect, which promotes cell renewal and improved blood flow.
What a fruit!
Fruit masks will help get rid of skin problems. What exactly to choose as “raw materials” for home cosmetics depends on what effect you want to achieve.
● Grapes, strawberries, and raspberries moisturize and smooth the skin.
● Bananas and peaches have a softening effect.
● Apricots, zucchini and pumpkin soothe dry, inflamed skin.
● Lingonberries, cherries, currants, and lemon tighten the pores (the juice of another fruit is always added to lemon juice, as it has a very strong effect).
Hardware techniques
In parallel with massage, to improve the drainage effect, hardware techniques are used, in this case it is pneumophototherapy, which consists of phototherapy and vacuum massage. The vacuum pulls the secretion of the sebaceous glands to the surface, facilitating its removal, and the action of phototherapy provides a sebostatic and antibacterial effect. After using pneumophototherapy, redness, which is caused by disruption and stagnation of microcirculation, disappears, the skin tightens and evens out in color.
The success and effectiveness of treating porous skin depends on a comprehensive combination of salon treatments and proper care at home.
Recipes for healing masks
It is recommended to do masks for porous facial skin three times a week. You should first thoroughly wash off your makeup and steam the upper layer of the dermis - this will ensure deeper penetration of the active ingredients. Before carrying out the manipulation, you must make sure that you are not allergic to the selected medicinal composition.
You need to leave the mask on your face for a certain time and remove its remnants. Treat porous skin with moisturizer.
For the procedure, you can use a product purchased in a store or try to cope with the problem with masks prepared at home. Here are some popular recipes.
Egg and lemon
Beat the white of one egg into a foam, mix evenly with lemon zest (you can replace it with a few drops of the juice of this fruit), apply to your face. Wait until the composition “sets” into a crust, remove the residue.
This mask helps:
- tighten pores;
- remove oily shine;
- get rid of blackheads;
- whiten skin.
To give your face freshness, you can add an ampoule of glycerin to the listed ingredients.
Cucumber and egg
To prepare such a mask, you need to mix cucumber pulp with egg whites beaten until foamy. Apply to problem areas. Remove any residue after the mixture has dried.
Thanks to cucumber, the skin is moisturized and becomes fresher. Protein – cleanses pores. You can add half a spoonful of honey to the mixture.
Gelatin and milk
To obtain the medicinal mixture you need:
- Crush the activated carbon tablet.
- Mix with one tablespoon of gelatin.
- Add 2 tablespoons of milk.
- Microwave for 20 seconds.
- Apply to face.
- Remove the film formed after drying.
After the procedure, the skin may turn red - this is normal. You should wipe your face with a piece of ice.
Clay mask
Cosmetic clay is an excellent natural absorbent. It is used to treat many dermatological problems, including helping to tighten pores.
The product must be diluted with water to a paste. Apply a thin layer, leave for a quarter of an hour, then rinse thoroughly.
Traditional recipes for oily skin
Masks, peeling, homemade creams and lotions will help in the fight against oily skin. Such products are prepared from natural products and stored only in the refrigerator.
Herbal mask. Wash and chop fresh plantain leaves. Grind the oat flakes in a blender until they form fine crumbs. Mix crushed leaves and oat flour in a 1:1 ratio. Leave the mask on for 20 minutes, rinse gently with water.
Honey mask narrowing. Egg whites are mixed with liquid honey. Add a little olive oil and a pinch of oatmeal to the mask.
Clay mask with honey. A mask with white or green clay helps a lot. To prepare it, mix a pinch of clay with honey. Apply for 15 minutes. Strawberry mask. Crush strawberries and mix with white clay. The course of procedures is 1 time every 7 days, for a month.
Mumiyo mask for problem skin. Two mummy tablets are crushed and mixed with milk or herbal decoction. Beat the egg white and gradually add it to the mixture. The finished mask is applied to cleansed skin.
Yeast mask. It is prepared from fresh yeast and curdled milk. All ingredients are thoroughly mixed. After applying the mask, wipe the skin with an ice cube. Green tea-based tonic lotion. Brew green tea in a thermos, after the liquid has cooled, strain it. Add a little lemon juice and stir. Wipe your face with tonic twice a day.
Herbal tonic. Prepare a decoction of 2 tbsp. l mint, lavender, calendula and chamomile. Leave the mixture for about 50 minutes, then strain and store in the refrigerator.
Cucumber applications. Before applying makeup, it is recommended to wipe oily skin with a slice of fresh cucumber. You can simply cut cucumber slices and put them on your face. After your face is dry, you can apply makeup.
These basic methods will help get rid of oily skin, tighten pores and reduce inflammation on the face. In addition, do not forget that in modern cosmetology there are many ways that will help radically improve the condition of the epidermis. You can resort to a course of ultrasound or cryotherapy, use vacuum facial cleansing and peeling.
