13 Simple Ways To Clean Enlarged Nose Pores

Are enlarged nose pores coming in the way of your picture perfect skin? We feel you! You may be genetically predisposed to enlarged pores on your skin, but the good news is that you can clean them and diminish their appearance with the right maintenance. So read this article before you head out to buy a pore filling primer.

What Expert Says

“Enlarged nose pores are not associated with any medical skin conditions. Physiological changes in the skin are responsible for the large open pores on your nose.”

Dr. Harish Koutam (MBBS, MD - Dermatology , Venereology & Leprosy), Chief Dermatologist at SkinKraft

Highlights:

• What Are Nose Pores?
• What Causes Large Nose Pores?
• How To Clean Nose Pores?
• What To Avoid?
• What Is The White Stuff In My Nose Pores?

What Are Nose Pores?

Pores are tiny openings on your skin associated with the hair follicles or sweat glands which facilitate the secretion of oil or sweat on your skin[1]. Nose pores are usually bigger than the pores on the rest of your facial skin. They are connected to sebaceous glands that produce sebum or natural oil in the skin.

What Causes Large Nose Pores?

While the pores on your nose are an essential part of your skin and play an important role in maintaining your skin health, a variety of triggers can enlarge pores and affect your appearance [2]. Some of them are:

1. Sun Exposure

Your nose is the most exposed part of the face and is prone to sun damage. Excessive exposure to the sun affects the firmness of your skin, which in turn increases the size of the nose pores.

2. Age

Our chief dermatologist, Dr. Harish Koutam explains, “Enlarged nose pores are not associated with any medical skin conditions. Your genes play a major role in determining the size of the pores on your skin. Physiological changes in the skin are responsible for the large open pores on your nose.”

As you age, there is a reduction in the production of proteins such as the collagen and elastin in your skin. This leads to skin sagging, which stretches the pores, making them appear bigger in size.

SkinKraft Tip:

Vitamin C boosts the synthesis of collagen in your skin. This vitamin also has effective antioxidant properties that protect your skin from sun damage.

3. Blackheads

Blackheads develop when nose pores get clogged with dirt, excess oil and bacteria. If you pick the blackheads or squeeze out their contents, the elastic fibres around the pores may get damaged. This will result in permanent enlargement of the pores.

4. Lack Of Exfoliation

Dead skin cells are pushed to the outermost layer of the skin and are shed off there. If you do not exfoliate your skin at regular intervals, these dead skin cells along with oil and dirt will get deposited on the surface of your skin, clogging your pores and enlarging them even more.

5. Large Hair Follicles

Since pores are openings of hair follicles, if you have thicker hair and larger follicles your pores will be naturally bigger too! If you have naturally bigger pores, the above-mentioned factors will affect the size of your pores more.

6. Hormonal imbalances

Disturbances in your hormonal levels can be a major reason behind the enlargement of nose pores. Elevated hormones, for example, during periods can increase oil production and even result in severe acne, all of which can significantly increase the pore size of your skin.

How To Clean Nose Pores: 13 Tips

You can minimize the appearance of nose pores with skin care products and in-office treatments. The idea is to keep the nose pores clean. Read on to know how:

1. Remove Makeup Before Bed

Never leave a makeup product on your face overnight. No matter how gentle the products claim to be, they can be pore clogging. Remove your make up with an oil based face wash and use a mild cleanser to give your face a clean feel.

SkinKraft Tip:

Choose non-greasy, non-comedogenic (that which does not clog the pores) skin-care and make-up products if you are prone to enlarged nose pores.

2. Cleanse Twice A Day

Cleansing removes makeup residue, dead skin cell buildup, oil and dirt from the skin. Without proper cleansing these will clog the nose pores and make them bigger. It can also lead to acne, which further enlarges your pores. Use a mild cleanser that suits your skin type with lukewarm water in your morning and evening skin care routine. Cleanse post a work out session too and pat dry. Avoid rough towels.

3. Lock In The Moisture

Cleansing can strip off your skin's natural oils. Hence, it is crucial to follow it up with a good moisturizer, even if your skin is on the oilier side. If your skin gets too dry, it will compensate by secreting excess sebum which can worsen your pore situation. So keeping your skin type in mind, choose a moisturizer to lock in the moisture and repair the skin's natural barrier [3].

4. Invest In A Clay Mask

Clay face masks help in unclogging and cleaning the pores. They are made of mineral rich clays or activated charcoal, which are perfect for refining your pores. Charcoal is a good absorbent and draws out excess oil and pollutants from your nose. In case you have extremely dry skin, use a clay mask only on your nose.

5. Exfoliate Regularly

Exfoliating once a week with a facial scrub, hydroxy acids or salicylic acid removes the dead skin cells near nose pores. Do not over scrub as it can aggravate the nose pores. [4]

6. Try Nose Pore Cleansing Strips

Why go through the pain of tweezing blackheads during a facial when you can strip them off? They can be used for removing dirt, excess oil, dead skin cells and blackheads. Nose pore cleansing strips are made of adhesives and come with a variety of ingredients to choose from.

Just wet your nose with lukewarm water and place the sticky side of the strip for 15 minutes. Once you peel away the strip, wash your face with lukewarm water again.

Note: There is hardly any scientific proof that talks about the benefits or risks of nore pore cleansing strips. Limit the use of nose pore cleansing strips to once a week. Refrain from using them in case you have sensitive skin.

7. Don’t Step Out Without Sunscreen

Sun damage [5] can make your nose pores appear larger. Protect your skin by wearing a broad spectrum sunscreen with SPF (sun protection factor) 30 or higher. Apply it 20 minutes before stepping out and reapply every two hours.

8. Microdermabrasion On Nose

Microdermabrasion is an in-office treatment performed by a certified dermatologist. A small mechanical device is used to remove the top layer of the skin on your nose. This helps in exfoliation and can improve the appearance of your nose pores [6].

9. Chemical Peels

Chemical peels incorporate acids like glycolic acid or lactic acid to remove the top layer of skin [7]. They can make the nose pores appear smaller.

10. Laser Therapy

Light beams are used to exfoliate the top layers of the skin. This not only minimizes the appearance of nose pores [8], but also induces collagen production in the skin.

11. Steaming

Steaming, which is a part of facials and involves the use of a steamer to supply your skin with warm and moist air, helps in opening nose pores on the nose. Facial experts then use a blackhead extractor to pluck out the blackheads on your nose pores. Skin care experts suggest a monthly facial for clean skin.

12. Retinol Serum

Retinol is a vitamin A derivative and a potent ingredient in serums. This anti-aging ingredient [9] stimulates the production of collagen around your nose pores, making the skin cleaner and firm. Incorporate a tightening retinol in your skin care routine. Start with minimal application and gradually increase the frequency.

13. Tea Tree Oil

Tea Tree oil penetrates into the skin, unclogs pores and dries out blackheads. Molecules called terpenes in the tea tree oil are antimicrobial [10].

Apply a face pack of 2-3 tsp tea tree oil, a tablespoon of fullers earth and some water. Leave it on for 15 minutes and rinse with lukewarm water.

What To Avoid?

If you are prone to enlarged pores on your nose, you should be careful about what ingredients you are putting on your skin. “Avoid skin care products or make up items that are mineral oil-based. You can use products with non-occlusive humectants like glycerine, sodium PCA or betaine instead,” suggests Dr. Koutam.

You should also avoid the following ingredients while trying to treat the enlarged nose pores.

Baking Soda

You will come across baking soda while reading up about home remedies for cleaning nose pores. Avoid using baking soda scrubs on the nose as these can dry the skin and may lead to excess sebum production. Since baking soda is alkaline, it can disrupt the skin’s natural pH that is slightly acidic [11].

Lemon

Another talked about kitchen ingredient for cleaning nose pores, lemon may harm your skin. Lemon is highly acidic and can disrupt your skin’s pH. Direct application of lemon can lead to dryness and irritation of the skin [12].

What Is The White Stuff In My Nose Pores?

The white stuff in your nose pores is sebum [13], which is natural oil that the skin produces in the dermal layer. Sebaceous glands attached to the pores on the skin naturally secrete this white and oily substance.

Sebum should not be mistaken for acne pus, whiteheads or blackheads. Acne, whiteheads and blackheads form when the pores get clogged. If you are bothered by the amount of sebum or oil that you see on your nose, you could try a clay mask to absorb the excess oil.

Wrapping up

A number of factors may be responsible for enlarged nose pores, it may be in your genes, because of skin type or other external factors such as your skin care products and routine. But with proper care you can reduce or avoid this skin issue altogether. If your enlarged nose pores do not get any better even after following all the tips and tricks, consider seeking the advice of a trusted dermatologist.

Begin By Knowing Your Skin