Skin Health Magazine Issue #7 / Spring 2018 | Page 7

debris clinging on inside, to restore a clarity that most other ingredients can’t achieve. AHAs will remove dead cells near the surface of the pore and anti-aging ingredients like Retinol, which improve collagen production and cell turnover, will firm and plump the skin, helping to visibly tighten the size of large pores. Just remember: the clearer the pore, the smaller it will look. FACT: Popping a pimple can damage you pores Sometimes it has to be done but popping pim- ples (whether blackheads or whiteheads) can do more harm than good. Squeezing a spot to make it burst puts pressure on the internal pore wall – especially if the spot in question is rather large – which can cause it to rupture and lead to an infection deep beneath the surface. This could lead to a large red lump forming with no head to pop and a nasty scar which will hang around much longer than a pimple. FICTION: Only people with acne need to worry about blocked pores It doesn’t take a skin care expert to work out that those with acne will also struggle with large pores, but they are not the only ones who need to keep their pores clear. Any skin type will need to keep on top of pore blockages and use products to keep blackheads under control as it’s not just genetics that are responsible for increased oil production. Sensitive hormone receptors found in each pore react to stress, pollution, and changes in the environment, and when over-stimulated, they trigger the seba- ceous glands to secrete more oil than normal. ISSUE #07 | 2018 | SkinHealthMagazine.com 7