Make Your Pores Behave

Smooth and soft skin, even tone, rosy glow, pores invisible to the naked eye... Perfect complexion. Isn't that what we hope to see when coming to the mirror?

But the reality is harsh and mirrors don't lie. The pores are there, perfectly visible, and seem to get bigger and bigger.

Why would Mother Nature put the most visible ones where you can't hide them? Life would be so much easier if we could keep them out of sight (and out of mind). I bet Nature had no idea people would consider pores a problem and, of course, had the best reasons in mind.

Pores are tiny (oh well, comparatively tiny) passages for oil that is produced in sebum glands to reach the surface of the skin. There are approximately 300 000 oil glands in human skin, the highest concentration is on the face, chest and back. The glands produce up to one ounce of oil daily!

The oil forms a protective layer over the skin that prevents moisture loss and helps to keep the skin soft and resilient and prevent injury and environmental damage. Given the fact that skin on the face is thinner than in other body areas and is constantly exposed to sun, wind, cold and heat, we desperately need this protection.

The challenge is to maintain the right balance between the activity of sebaceous glands and the actual needs of your skin. Problems start when pores have to deal with more oil than they can handle. Pores expand under the pressure of excessive oil flow and become visible. Once they enlarge, they don't shrink back. There are no muscles around pores that could contract and close the opening.

More and more pores can become visible with age. This is due to the loss of skin elasticity and sagging. As skin is drawn down by gravity, pores become more obvious.

Keeping pores clean is the first thing you need to do if you want to make them less noticeable and prevent their size increase.

When oil binds with dirt and dead skin cells, pores become clogged and - again - stretch. To prevent this, keep oil under control, use gentle and effective cleansers and exfoliate regularly.

After cleansing, use astringent toner. Astringents cause slight swelling of the top skin layer, which temporarily closes pores. There are two things to be cautious about. First, don't overdry your skin or it will react by producing even more oil. Second, if your skin is sensitive, be extra careful as it might not tolerate some of the ingredients used in astringents.

Mature skin will benefit from thorough cleansing and gentle exfoliating followed by a face-lift mask. When done 1-3 times a week, this regiment will produce visible improvement in just a few weeks.

The pores don't shrink permanently. We have to accept it, just as we accept that fair eyelashes can't get dark and straight hair don't curl. Yet, we learned to live with it and still get the look we want. The same thing is with pores: you can improve the way they look when and if you want to.

(C) Natalie Katsman, 2004

About The Author

Natalie Katsman is a co-founder of http://www.natural-aid.com, where you can find fine quality aloe vera products for beauty and well-being and subscribe to HealthySkin Newsletter filled with beauty tips, recipes and information on herbal healing, skin care and cosmetic chemistry.

info@natural-aid.com

RELATED ARTICLES Treating Ingrown Hairs -- Product Comparison Ingrown hairs occur when hairs that have been waxed or shaved or otherwise removed grow back without exiting the follicle. These hairs coil under the skin and create unsightly and painful bumps or whiteheads. Easy Lotion For Your Skin Years ago, I found out how incredible easy it is to make lotion. It is so inexpensive and organic that I wondered why anyone would even consider spending a dime on the chemical rich lotions on the market. Where to Find Wholesale Hair Extensions Many people turn to hair extensions to change their looks and, in turn, to change their lives. This makes for big business for cosmetologists trained in hair extension application. Mini Dental Implants in the U.S. The concept of mini dental implants is a revolutionary method for supporting replacement teeth that used very small titanium alloy implant screws that would function free standing or in combination with natural tooth supports. The concept was pioneered over 20 years ago by a Dr. All About Plastic Surgery The plastic surgery has become a multi-million dollar one, as both men and women employ more and more extreme tools in order to reach the ever more ubiquitous image of perfection that torments us. It sometimes seems as though the tiny people of Hollywood have been constructed entirely out of plastic in a conspiracy to make the rest of us feel like ogres. Tooth Whitening, Tooth Treatment: Get that Perfect Smile! I would say a smile throughout the day keeps doctor away. Undoubtly, laughter is the best medicine as it not only supplies nutrients to the skin but also makes your skin glow. Pierced Ear Problems and Solutions The practice of ear piercing dates back to thousands of years ago. From jungle tribes to desert nomads to royalty, pierced ears were indicators of both beauty and social standing. It Doesn't Take Long To Make Yourself Feel Better! Spending 5 minutes on your face:FACECold winter winds deplete your skin of moisture. After cleansing, apply a hydrating mask: leave on for 3 mints. Hair Stylist - Record Holder Have you ever seen hair stylist cutting hair with Fire & Blindfolded or Glass or a paper-cutter? Imagine, Stylist burning your hair with fire, and sometimes that too blindfolded? Scary isn't? but its not like that; its fun, its art - the art of hair styling and cutting.. Beauty Sleep Beauty SleepThe health and beauty of a good night's sleep by Cathy GatsonSleeping is a necessity, not a luxury. A good night's sleep is just as crucial to maintaining wellness as is a healthy diet and proper exercise. Neuropeptide - Amino Polypeptide Skin Care Comparison To determine why neuropeptide products are different from other effective antiaging skin care treatments on the market, we first have to determine the difference between neuropeptide and amino polypetide ingredients.Neuro- and pentapaptides are both peptides but "neuro" refers to the very specific functions of this peptide group, while "penta" merely refers to the size of certain peptide molecules. Commercial Tanning Beds: An Overview Commercial tanning beds come in two basic formats. Horizontal tanning beds are the tanning beds you most often see in both residential and commercial settings. Tanses Tanning Equipment Tanses tanning equipment is well known in its field. Tanses tanning equipment has developed a very good reputation. Flax Seed Oil and Wrinkles Flax seed oil helps lubricate the digestive system and softens the skin, reducing the appearance of wrinkles. Flax seed is packed with oils, fibers and protein that supply your body with essential fatty acids (EFAs), notably omega 6 (linoleic acid) and omega 3 (linolenic acid) fatty acids. Tanning Bed Supplies -- Addons that Really Count! So you are getting on a tanning bed. What next??No tanning experience is complete without the use of the entire range of quality tanning bed supplies. Beauty Tip: Perfect Eyebrows Eyebrows are a natural frame for the eyes and should be in proportion to the face. Perfectly shaped eyebrows will enhance the look of your eyes, your face and will accentuate your makeup while; ill kept, unruly eyebrows will hide the beauty of your eyes. Non Prescription Cats Eye Contact Lenses - Animal Attraction! Long gone are the days when a set of contact lenses were the domain of the visually impaired. These days, non prescription lenses are available to all, even if you are blessed with 20:20 vision. Taking Photos While Youre Protecting Your Skin If you're a shutterbug like me, and you enjoy taking photos outdoors, you will often find yourself in direct sunlight.Other than protecting yourself from the sun by wearing a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses, and by applying sunscreen every two hours, there is one more thing you can do. Cosmetics & Toiletries - Global Outsourcing & Private Label Manufacturing Hi, My name is Rasik Botadra, am currently working as an Analyst with business news magazine & new papers.I am writing this article in view of India emerging as Highly potential Global Outsourcing & Solutions Provider for finished Consumer products & General Merchandise. Should You Get Plastic Surgery? These days, plastic surgery is often much maligned, and while the apparent levity with which it is sometimes undertaken and its almost epidemic-type spread can seem rather worrying, the benefits of plastic surgery can easily be overlooked. While there is an overwhelming array of various plastic surgery horror stories reported in the press, the quiet stories of success often remain untold.