You’ve been using a well-known brand of skincare products for a while now, but suddenly, you notice your pores have become more visible.
So you ask yourself again and again, “Why did my pores get bigger all of a sudden?” It’s not just you; this happens to many people as well.
There are various factors that can contribute to this sudden change. And we’re going to go through each one of them, in full detail, so you can manage or reduce the visibility of enlarged pores.
Most common reasons pores appear larger
Don’t worry! Your pores don’t actually open and close; they only appear larger due to several factors, such as increased sebum production and accumulation of dirt. There are also other causes, like changes in skin elasticity.
Here are some things that may have caused yours to look bigger:
- Increased sebum production: This oily substance can make your pores more visible.
- Build up of dead skin cells: They can clog your pores and make them look bigger.
- Decreased skin elasticity: With age, our skin loses elasticity, so the appearance of large pores is more prominent.
- Genetics: Sometimes, large pores run in the family.
- Environmental factors: Pollution and humidity can contribute to the appearance of larger pores.
- Lifestyle choices: Poor diet, inadequate sleep and stress can impact your skin health including your pores.
Now on to the details…
Why did my pores get bigger all of a sudden?
You’ve noticed it, and you’re asking, “why did my pores get bigger all of a sudden?” Well here are some possible reasons:
- Hormonal changes
- Incorrect skincare products
- Lack of exfoliation
- Sun damage
- Smoking
- High-sugar diets
Detailed causes and solutions
But let’s find out more about each one so that you understand it better and see what we can actually do about it!
1. Hormonal changes
Hormonal fluctuations play a major role in sudden pore enlargement. Hormones like androgens can stimulate oil glands to produce more sebum, which leads to oily skin. This excess oil makes your pore size more evident, explaining why your pores get bigger all of a sudden.
Hormonal changes occur during puberty, menstruation, pregnancy and menopause. During these times you may notice not only an increase in pore size but also other skin changes like acne or increased oiliness.
Solution: Managing hormonal fluctuations requires a multi-faceted approach. Topically, using skincare products with ingredients such as niacinamide or zinc can help regulate sebum production.
These ingredients prevent the amount of oil that accumulates on the surface of the skin from being too high, which in turn minimizes your pores’ appearance.
Retinoids are also effective, as they increase cell turnover and prevent dead skin cells from clogged pores on breasts, face and other parts of the body.
For systemic treatment, hormonal medications such as birth control pills or anti-androgens can be prescribed by a healthcare provider to help balance your hormones and subsequently reduce oil production.
It is important to consult with a dermatologist or endocrinologist, who can give you personalized advice and treatments based on your specific hormonal health needs.
2. Incorrect skincare products
Using skincare products that aren’t right for your skin type can exacerbate enlarged pores, which might leave you wondering, “Why did my pores get bigger all of a sudden?”.
Thick creams and oil-based products can clog oily skin’s pores, while harsh cleansers strip away natural oils and cause the skin to overcompensate by producing more oil. This can even cause rashes and redness on your face.
Solution: Identify your skin type and stick to products that suit it. If you have oily or acne-prone skin, go for gel-based cleansers and oil-free moisturizers. Dry-skinned folk should look for hydrating cleansers and non-sticky creams.
Hyaluronic acid and glycerin are good ingredients to keep an eye out for, as they hydrate but don’t clog pores. When shopping, always check if a product is “non-comedogenic,” meaning it won’t clog pores. A toner made specifically for your skin type can also help balance pH and tighten pores.
3. Lack of exfoliation
Dead cells and debris are enemies of small pores when left to accumulate on top of your face’s surface; they’ll only clog them up more and can even cause blackheads. This makes the holes become apparent from a distance.
Solution: A regular exfoliation routine is crucial in maintaining clear pores. Chemical exfoliants such as glycolic acid (alpha-hydroxy acids/AHAs) or salicylic acid (beta-hydroxy acids/BHAs) are effective at dissolving bonds between dead cells, so they can be easily washed away by water after. This helps prevent pores from getting bigger by keeping them clear of build-up.
AHAs double their productivity on dried-out or sun-damaged skin, as it helps moisturize while working to replace old cells with new ones.
BHAs on the other hand are best suited for oily skins types due to their ability to penetrate deep down into the layers of the pore, unlike other exfoliators which only work at surface level. This deeper action helps deal with areas where pores get bigger faster.
However, exfoliate only 2-3 times a week to avoid irritating or damaging the essential skin barriers. After you exfoliate, apply a soothing moisturizer and some SPF before anything else; fresh cells make your skin more sensitive to rays.
4. Sun damage
The sun is like a predator and your skin its prey. Constant UV exposure can break down collagen, which plays a vital role in maintaining the firmness of your pores, keeping them small and tight. When it degrades under these harmful rays, your pores will appear wider from the sagging that follows.
Solution: Avoiding harm from the sun is essential if you want to stay youthful-looking for as long as possible. Apply an SPF 30 every day, and reapply it every two hours if you spend most of your time outside.
Use products with antioxidants like vitamins C & E or green tea alongside sunscreen; they’ll help slow down the damage caused by UV rays on top of increasing collagen production, which maintains your skin’s elasticity.
5. Smoking
Smoking is terrible for your skin. The toxins in each puff accelerate the aging process and directly reduce the amount of oxygen that can flow to it.
This can lead to a reduction in collagen production, and an obvious question, “Why did my pores get bigger all of a sudden?”. Collagen makes your skin elastic and tight, giving the appearance of large pores.
Solution: It’s time to quit smoking! When it comes to healing your skin, there are products you can use that will boost collagen production and enhance skin regeneration. Look for ingredients like retinoids, peptides, and antioxidants on the package.
These are known for their ability to repair and rejuvenate skin cells. Increasing vitamin C by consuming more citrus fruits or supplements can also promote collagen synthesis.
6. High-sugar diets
A diet full of high-sugar foods and carbs will do you no favors in life, especially not for your face! This kind of food will cause increased insulin levels in the body, which increases sebum production.
If you’re unfamiliar with what sebum is, it’s why some people have excessive oily skin dotted with acne pimples here and there, leading up to bigger pores being visible.
The easiest solution is just changing your eating habits! Focus on low-glycemic foods such as whole grains, lean proteins, fresh fruits or vegetables etc.
Drinking water also helps by flushing out toxins that build up overtime, while keeping the skin hydrated so it’s less prone to oiliness overall.
Each factor plays a role in making big old holes appear on our faces but don’t worry because each one has a lifestyle changeable solution.
Remember, healthy clean looking youthful textured skin requires an entire routine reconfiguration, sometimes from head (diet) down (skincare routine).
Closing thoughts
The question, “why did my pores get bigger all of a sudden?” Is only half the battle because now we need answers!
Find out what factors are causing this issue with your face and fix them so you can have nice clear smooth lookin’ skin again. Stick to the routine that works best for you and keep up with all the hard work!
