As you age you may develop fine lines and notice an increase in the size of your pores. Dr. David E. Bank, a dermatologist in New York, states that when your skin slows down its production of collagen, you lose firmness and elasticity in your face, which can lead to both wrinkles and larger pores. You can combat both of these by keeping your pores clear and your skin moisturized, as well as by applying products designed to speed up collagen production and improve the texture of your complexion.
Use a moisturizing cleanser every other morning, and switch to an exfoliating cleanser on the other days. Older skin requires more hydration than younger skin, but exfoliation helps keep your pores clear of dead skin and buildup, helping them to look their smallest. Dr. Diane Berson, an assistant professor of dermatology at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York City, recommends using a scrub that contains 2 percent salicylic acid. Gently massage the product over wet skin, then rinse it away.
Slather your face with a broad-spectrum sunscreen every morning to fight off sun damage that can lead to more fine lines. Look for an oil-free product that will not clog your pores. If you are outside, reapply it every two hours for continual sun protection.
Wash your face with the moisturizing cleanser at night, and then apply an additional moisturizer. For very dry skin, use a product that contains hydrating ingredients like jojoba butter. Fine lines and wrinkles can appear worse on dried-out skin, and keeping skin nourished will help it to become stronger and make it less likely to get irritated. It will also reduce the amount of pore-clogging dead skin you develop. Smooth the moisturizer onto your face and neck and allow it to soak in before moving on to Step 4.
Apply a retinol cream on top of the moisturizer. This will increase the amount of collagen in your skin, which will help reduce fine lines and plump up your skin to make pores look smaller. Smooth a small amount of cream all over your face before you go to bed.
Tip
Use the retinol cream every other day if your skin starts to flake or become irritated.
Ask your doctor about prescription-strength retinoids if you feel you need a stronger product.
References
Writer Bio
Lynne Sheldon has over 12 years of dance experience, both in studios and performance groups. She is an avid runner and has studied several types of yoga. Sheldon now works as a freelance writer, editor and book reviewer. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and art history from Boston University and recently completed her Master of Fine Arts in writing from Pacific University.