I have spoken freely about my enlarged pores, I get rather embarrassed by them and dread taking my make-up off at counters for consultations or at facials. I don't have bad skin but my pores are certainly a bone of contention. I have thought about visiting a cosmetic surgeon in the past to look into peels and things of that nature but never saw it through. I do however lap up any skin care products that promise to as much as shrink or deeply cleanse pores. I like to think I have my week facial down to a fine art and have found three products over the last few months that make a world of difference. No lasers or peels in sight!
On the evening before I apply my face mask I like to bust out Nip + Fab Glycolic Scrub Fix and gently massage this gentle triple action face polish into my damp skin. To know me is to know I'm a little scared of facial scrubs - some are simply to abrasive and in the past I have cause my skin more harm than good. Nip + Fab Glycolic Scrub Fix contains a really low percentage of glycolic acid (3%) to exfoliate and re-texture the skin (it can also help fade scarring, it works best of fresh scars) as well as salicylic acid to deeply cleanse clogged pores. As well as this it has a gritty texture which is neither too harsh or so fine that it does nothing, rather it lives up to the polish claim and leaves my skin glowing and super soft to the touch after my weekly use. I do tend to apply, leave for five minutes and then gently buff off using a wash cloth and guess what no red skin in sight! Obviously I can't measure my pores but I could swear that they look somewhat smaller in size since adding this to my routine. It could be that they are less filled with grime (eww) but either way they look much better and that is all I ask. If you have problematic pores or simply want a great exfoliator that won't leave your skin red raw this should top your wish list (I've also heard the exfoliating pads within this range are stellar too).You can find it via Boots for £9.99 - link.
I don't apply my face mask on the same evening as my skin is somewhat sensitive and can't really handle a scrub and mask at the same time. Annoying and time consuming to say the least but hey better that than a red, angry face on two accounts! You must excuse my older packaging of REN
Clarimatte Invisible Pores Detox Mask, before they re-launched I stock piled presuming the mask was being discontinued and yeah it backfired. Oh well, lesson learnt! My oily skin loves nothing more than a clay based mask, the clay not only draws out impurities but also helps to balance my oil prone skin. REN Clarimatte Invisible Pores Detox Mask not only deeply cleanses but it is gentle and soothes the skin too. I credit a weekly slathering of this mask for helping keep my skin blemish free and also taking the redness out of any spots should they arise. Yet that isn't why I keep returning to this clay mask, nothing and I mean nothing in the mask world unclogs my pores like it. I apply, settle down to a few Youtube videos and rinse clean, each time I do my skin has a fresh radiance and my clogged pores look clearer. Again I do find my pores look smaller since incorporating this into my skin care routine but much like the above face polish that really could be down to the fact my pores are clear from whatever little nasties that are clogging them. I am not really prone to blackheads so I can't comment on REN's claim that it removes them, it does however leave my skin cleansed, clear and glowing. You can find it here £18 via Feel Unique - link.
My last skin care pick won't do much for your pores, well no more than any other toner but it is so calming that any deeply cleansing routine should really include it. 001 Pure Lavender Hydrolata Toner, as I essentially extract so much from my skin I like to gently mist this toning water on my skin after both the scrub and mask stage. It has been created not only to hydrate but to sooth and calm not to mention it can be used as a typical toner to ensure you have thoroughly cleansed or as a hydrating facial mist. It is pretty pricey at £15-£25 - link so if your budget doesn't quite stretch that far then a great alternative is my beloved Lush Eau Roma Toning Water.
Okay my pores still are far from perfect but perfect is boring and any little improvement is more than enough to put a smile on my face. Do you have any pore busting products I should know about?
The Nip+Fab scrub is really good. I use it every couple of days, along with the Glycolic Fix cleanser. That one I do use a bit like a mask, putting it on and leaving for a couple of minutes, before adding a little water and foaming up into a lather. The glycolic pads are amazing though - I've really noticed a massive difference using them. My skin tone has really improved, my blackheads have reduced, and I've noticed that my skin just feels softer and smoother. Great range, really fair prices too - and Boots often have it on special offer, so make it even cheaper. There's plenty of glycolic acid and other AHA products on the market, but most are a lot more expensive and (IMO) not even as effective as the Nip+Fab range. I definitely recommend extending your collection of this product range beyond just the scrub.
ReplyDeleteI definitely can relate to this pore problem. I used to have large pores too but I easily got rid of it. It did not take going to a dermatologist or buying expensive creams. I experimented with using glycolic acid on my skin and as a result my pores shrunk a lot. Nowadays I rarely get pimples.
ReplyDeleteI suggest to go to my blog and search for glycolic acid. Hope it helps.
http://makeupandskincarereview.blogspot.com
I really want to try the scrub. I have massive pores as well, so anything that will make them appear a bit small I am up for! I'm the opposite to you, I hate the way makeup sits in my pores and makes them really noticeable, so I try to wear as little as possible!
ReplyDeleteThe Velvet Black // UK Style, Beauty and Lifestyle Blog
I absolutely haaaate large pores! Thanks for the suggestions I hope this does some good for me!
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I recommend that you never do peels! My dermatologist is constantly warning me not to use them as they're really not that helpful. Also, to make sure your pores don't enlarge even more, make sure you take off your makeup REALLY well. They enlarge because of the foundation and powders that remain overnight, so you should invest in a really good makeup remover :)
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Oooh this is such a cool post! The Nip+Fab scrub sounds like such a neat product, and the price is so good. : ) I really enjoy chemical exfoliation products because they're so much more effective than physical ones. I really like Ren's packaging, but haven't tried a product out yet. I like how the clay is packaged in a bottle like that instead of a jar!
ReplyDeleteI really just recommend AHA and BHA exfoliation along with sunscreen to lessen the look of pores. You're already doing that with the Nip+Fab stuff, so I don't have anything else to recommend. : )
http://aelithnaturals.com/
This is a great post. I really want to try the nip + fab scrub, youve sold me! I have large pores around the sides of my nose and if i wear anything with a slight shimmer on my cheeks they instantly appear 100% larger.
ReplyDeleteI would of never thought to try the pure lavender toner but it seems like such a nice product to use to really help replenish the skin.
great post :)
aimee xo
www.aimeeleighmakeup.blogspot.com
I used the REN mask for the first time this week and I'm pretty sure I can see a difference already! I may have to get the Nip + Fab scrub, they would like the perfect combination :)
ReplyDeleteGreat post!
Jess xo
I find i'm either always having a breakout or my pores are enlarged - which in turn leads to me piling on coverup and clogging them leading to the breakout. I really want to try the Nip + Fab, and see if that helps. Whenever I can I always try and get a glycolic peel or a microdermabrasion, I find they really help - they clean deep into the pores and take out any dirt so they tend to look smaller.
ReplyDeleteImma totally check out that scrub :P I have totally large pores since my skin is oily so anything to reduce them would be a god send :P
ReplyDeleteanjnaharish-thoughtsofagirl.blogspot.co.uk
Ohh goodie! I just saw 1 shop selling REN products last week so I will be heading back there to check out that mask. My pores are getting larger as I aged. :-/
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My fave pore eraser is the Khiels micro pore, it is heaven on earth!
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I've tried the Nip + Fab exfoliating pads and they are pretty good! I'd love to try the scrub though!
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