Dealing With Open Pores: Causes & Reduction Techniques

Our skin is a complicated organ comprised of multiple parts and components that play a specific role in maintaining the whole. These smaller components are extremely complex aspects of our physiology and can be difficult to care for without the appropriate information. Fortunately, the study of human skin, dermatology, has narrowed down most of the key details an average person needs to handle their skin properly. 

The variable nature of biology means everyone's skin is different from each other's, though a genetic factor links the skin types of family members. Nevertheless, dermatological research has identified the common factors that unify everyone's skin regardless of their relation. One of the main dermatological issues people face relates to their pores, which are an especially vulnerable component of our skin.

Our pores are an essential part of our complexion, but contaminants make it easy for them to be overwhelmed. Sometimes, our pores become more visible and mark our complexions in ways we would prefer to avoid. Having "open" pores is not necessarily a common issue, but it affects enough people that there has been a surge of interest in finding remedies. 

Dealing with open pores can be difficult and frustrating, but there are methods for reducing them. The problem is that the solutions are often tied to the root cause of your situation. Knowing what causes open pores is essential to addressing the issue and reducing its effects.

What Are Open Pores?

The concept of "open" pores is actually the subject of a significant misunderstanding since the initial thought many have is that the pores in our skin can open and close. This misconception has made it seem like our pores naturally can close themselves and keep contaminants out. This also implies that pores open periodically for some purpose that plays a role in maintaining their health. Unfortunately, this misconception has caused more than a few people to misunderstand what they are supposed to do about "open" pores. 

Skin pores are extremely small "holes" in the skin that usually play host to hair follicles. These pores are always open and do not close in the traditional sense you might have initially suspected.

A closed pore occurs when it is contaminated with skin cells or dirt that clog it and allows bacteria to thrive. As a result, we experience issues like acne or ingrown hairs that can be irritating and unsightly. In the skincare sense, an open pore happens when the typically minuscule pores expand to the point where they are visible to the naked eye. 

Despite the appearance, open pores are not a medical issue since the enlarged pores do not make you more susceptible to infection. At worst, they present a cosmetic issue that cannot always be reduced to the desired levels. You might also have heard the phrase "open pores" as a good thing, which is not necessarily wrong but a misnomer. The practice of opening your pores refers to a process that cleanses the pores to a deep level to remove contaminants and debris.

The former is a more pressing issue in cosmetics because thousands deal with it regularly. While open pores are not overly common, it remains a consistent issue for several people worldwide who are eager for solutions. However, a solution can only be derived from the cause.

What Causes Open Pores?

Open pores might not be as widespread as other skin conditions, but the causes behind them are extremely common. Despite being one of the first things people see, our skin was not designed to make us look good but to protect us from the elements. As a result, our skin has hundreds of ingenious defense mechanisms it naturally executes when faced with the corresponding hazards. 

Our skin also naturally generates the substance that is one of the main contributors to issues like acne and overly shiny skin, sebum. Sebum, more commonly called "skin oil," is a natural substance our bodies use to hydrate the skin and keep it from cracking. Unfortunately, sebum also contributes to the likelihood of open pores since it is produced in the pores. As a result, people with excess sebum production have larger pores to accommodate the almost constant traffic.

That said, multiple causes of open pores must be addressed if you want to reduce their impact.

• High concentrations of sebum or excessive sebum production.
• Reduced collagen levels in the skin (usually caused by aging).
• Overexposure of your skin to sunlight.
• Genetic predisposition.

Each of these issues can cause the pores in your skin to expand in response to the strain caused by these factors. We already covered why sebum production can cause your pores to be more visible and seemingly grow. Insofar as collagen is concerned, the protein creates and repairs our skin.

When our levels get too low, our bodies are less effective at using it to repair the skin and focus on more pressing issues rather than cosmetic concerns. As strange as it sounds, our bodies know that fixing wrinkles or open pores is less important than ensuring enough collagen to heal a physical injury. Therefore, you will likely not see a natural resolution to open pores induced by a collagen deficiency.

Sunlight exposes us to ultraviolet radiation, which can be extremely damaging to our skin if exposed for too long. The more time you spend in sunlight, the more likely the radiation will damage your skin. Sunlight is the cause of several major skin conditions (hyperpigmentation, sunburn, etc.) and can eventually cause cancer in some situations. Unfortunately, this is also a concern since a study has shown that basal cell carcinomas have formed and look like large pores (though that is a completely separate issue from open pores).

Finally, some people are simply genetically predisposed to open pores if their parents had them. Many blemishes and skin conditions are inherited from parents since they affect us genetically. Dealing with genetically induced open pores is frustrating, but it is not impossible to overcome. 

Treating Open Pores Caused by Sebum

Excessive sebum production is common, especially during adolescence, when hormones stoke our body's production to higher levels. Unfortunately, this issue can persist into adulthood and cause various skin blemishes and issues. One of the issues excessive sebum production causes is open pores since the sebum comes from those pores. When we produce too much, it can cause our pores to seem to enlarge to accommodate the flow. 

The problem is that this causes an unpleasant appearance for our skin that we would normally avoid if possible. Typically, you might be referred to a dermatologist who will, in turn, prescribe a pharmaceutical-grade countermeasure to sebum production. However, using a gentler product to reduce your sebum production and, by extension, your open pores is possible.

Green tea is a shockingly effective tool in skincare because it contains several nutrients and vitamins essential for our bodies. One of the main compounds that make green tea valuable is epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG). In 2018, it was discovered that green tea's EGCG concentrations are extremely high, making it one of the most reliable sources for ingestion or topical application. 

One of the lesser-known traits of EGCG is that it is anti-androgenic, meaning it lowers lipid levels, contributing to sebum production. As a result, EGCG has been linked to reduced sebum levels throughout the skin when applied topically. Additionally, EGCG synergizes with the other nutrients in green tea, augmenting its benefits. A green tea product could reduce your open pores by directly addressing the underlying cause.

Treating Open Pores Caused by Collagen Deficiencies

Considering collagen is a protein our bodies naturally produce, it might seem like there is nothing to be done when our levels deteriorate. Whether our collagen levels have lowered due to age or because we are genetically predisposed to a deficiency, low collagen has been tied to several skin blemishes. The good news is that collagen has been harvested from several sources, the best being marine life, to be refined into a supplement to improve our natural levels. 

Collagen supplementation can give our bodies the resources they need to maintain a healthier dermal layer when they struggle to produce their own. Several collagen variants exist, but Type I is the most common and directly relates to our skin. As a result, Type I is the most common option in collagen supplements designed for skincare.

Taking a collagen supplement has been proven effective in several cases, despite limitations. For example, collagen supplements will not help improve your skin's health or quality if you do not have a deficiency. If your collagen levels are healthy, your body will not integrate the additional intake. Nevertheless, adding a collagen supplement to your routine can possibly reduce your open pores if low collagen levels are causing them.

Treating Open Pores Caused by Sunlight

Overexposure to sunlight has been the source of several skin problems that range from minor blemishes to major health risks. While the biggest concern with sunlight is developing cancer, there are more mundane consequences associated with it. Sunlight's UV radiation can cause our skin to react defensively, but our bodies cannot always exercise the proper moderation with defense mechanisms. 

There have been scenarios where our skin overreacts to stimuli and causes blemishes that could have been avoided. Open pores are one of those results caused by our bodies trying to fend off the excess radiation. The radiation causes the moisture in our skin to evaporate, which can trigger the expansion of skin pores. Therefore, one of the main methods for countering sun-induced open pores is to rehydrate the skin.

The sun's worst enemy in the skincare world is Aloe vera, which you have likely used before if you have ever had a sunburn. While Aloe vera's benefits for sunburns are because it is an anti-inflammatory, the plant contains a large amount of moisture. Aloe vera gel or juice can rehydrate the body in multiple ways, including topical application to the skin. 

With the right tool, Aloe vera can moisturize your skin and restore the moisture your pores need to maintain a healthy and reasonable size. Aloe vera already has a history of being used as a moisturizer, but it was primarily used to treat dry skin in general rather than specific issues. Nevertheless, Aloe vera could be the perfect tool for open pores caused by overexposure to the sun.

Treating Open Pores Caused by Genetics

While open pores might be a genetic issue for you, it remains a combination of certain physical problems that could be counteracted. The odds are high that you are genetically predisposed to low moisture in your skin that causes the open pores as a symptom. Several products can treat general open pores without a definitive cause. Unfortunately, there is some guesswork since your genetic profile could alter its effectiveness.

Nevertheless, using any previously mentioned substances or a more general product could help reduce your open pores and restore your complexion.

Finding the Right Blend

Open pores might affect your complexion, whether you realize it or not, especially since genetics is not the only factor. Open pores have multiple causes, and plenty of people continue to subscribe to the misconception about what an open pore means. Regardless, open pores do not have to define your complexion, and you can work to reduce their severity so they do not mark you. You will have to commit time and effort to your routine and narrow down what caused your open pores to begin with, but they can be treated. The real challenge is finding the right product.

We at Teami have dedicated ourselves to helping our customers manage their appearance and health with natural substances. Rather than using pharmaceutical-grade chemicals, we believe natural plants and compounds can promote the body's innate ability to restore itself. Insofar as open pores are concerned, we recommend our Gentle Superfood Liquid Cleanser, Beauty Butterfly Collagen, or Smooth Exfoliating Body Polish. 

The first two can tackle open pores caused by sunlight, collagen deficiencies, or sebum, while the second is more generalized and suited to people with genetic predispositions. We encourage you to visit our website and fully explore our catalog to find the right product for you. After all, finding the right blend is a Teami effort.