As a makeup junkie, I spend a lot of time in front of a ring light, perfecting my winged liner. Apart from making your war-paint look fabulous, this strong lighting can also reveal long-held secrets under the layers of makeup. In fact, I have spent an unhealthy amount of time stretching my skin under this light and obsessing over my large open pores. After trying literally everything to "get rid" of them, I was called out by my dermatologist for being silly with all my ubtans and creams. Pores are an important part of skin texture (we have them all over our body) and you cannot possibly get rid of them. Pores are the ventilation system of the skin that helps it breathe. They also tend to get bigger and more prominent as you age, a natural process you should not try to control. No matter how many clickbait articles you see online claiming to get the job done, know this: you cannot bid goodbye to them forever. However, there are ways to manage them. Just your everyday CTM routine with a few small tweaks is all it takes. If your ultimate goal is to not let your open pores be distracting, this routine will help your case.
01Step 1: Use a soap-free face wash to prevent skin irritation while you deep cleanse
The main cause of large open pores is clogging. Makeup, dirt and grime sit on our faces all day and should be properly cleansed. Rethinking how you wash your face could be the secret to keeping your pores their natural size. The Simple Refreshing Facial Wash is free of skin baddies like SLS (soap), artificial fragrance and dyes as well as harsh preservatives, so you can gently deep cleanse your pores without irritating your skin.
02Step 2: Apply toner to clean out every trace of impurities and tighten those pores
The debate about whether you actually do need a toner in your daily skincare routine is probably never going to end. But we're here to tell you that you do need one, especially if you have oily and acne-prone skin. It works on your pores, clearing out any leftover debris and tightening them for that even texture. Just make sure to opt for an alcohol-free formula like the Lakme Absolute Pore Fix Toner.
03Step 3: Moisturise with an oil-free formula to keep skin nourished
Large pores are often seen on oily skin and hence, it's super important to moisturise according to your skin type. A lightweight, oil-free moisturiser is the perfect follow up to your toner. Make sure to pick one with either retinol or hyaluronic acid, both of which help your pores appear smoother. The Pond's Super Light Gel Oil-Free Moisturiser contains hyaluronic acid and comes through with its claims of giving your skin that hydrated and plump look; a must-have for extra-oily summer days, we think! But that's not all! While CTM is important, there are a few additional steps you need to include in your skincare routine if you want to minimise the appearance of pores.
04Night Cream
Whether you believe in the need to add a separate product to your nighttime routine or not is up to you. But the fact remains that your skin goes through the highest amount of fixes while you are asleep. A product that works on your pore size overnight and lets you wake up to smoother skin is a godsend and I am loving the Lakme Ideal Tone Night Concentrate for the job! Apparently, I'm not alone. 95 per cent of people who tried this product noticed a visible difference in pore size.
05Face mask
Apart from daily care, you might also want to include a face mask in your weekly skincare routine to further help minimise the size of your pores. The Dermalogica Charcoal Rescue Masque is a great weekly indulgence to invest in if your large pores are your problem. It contains activated charcoal that absorbs impurities from your pores and sulphur that facilitates cell turnover, giving you brighter looking skin. Plus, reduced oiliness. It's a win-win-win!
06Primer
Now you probably haven't considered primer a part of your skincare routine, but you should. It's a great last step in your skincare routine that helps veil the appearance of pores and achieve that flawless makeup look. Plus, a good gel-based one like the Lakme Absolute Undercover Gel Primer will keep oil production in check, so your makeup won't wear off easily!
