Large pores—how can something so small be such a big deal? Probably because enlarged pores make it difficult to have smooth, firm, tight, younger looking skin. Correcting large pores is not difficult, but you need to treat your skin right!
Here’s are a few “do’s”:
- Make sure that you use the right cleanser. Use one designed for oily skin—look for ingredients like salicylic, glycolic or lactic acid, and make sure that you use it for one full minute—it takes that long to break down sebum. Even if you think you have “normal” skin—and I personally don’t think that there is such a thing—I recommend a cleanser for oily skin–like ZO’s Exfoliating Cleanser. That’s the first part of the regimen—twice a day—morning and night.
- Exfoliate! Once a day is not too much. You need to get rid of the dead surface skin cells so that the younger, healthier, living ones can emerge. If you don’t exfoliate regularly, your skin will appear dull and dry. I like a good scrub—like ZO’s Exfoliating Polish. It has round magnesium crystals so won’t irritate the skin. And scrub diligently! What you really want to do is to stimulate your skin cells—keep them alive and active!
- Deep cleanse your pores with TE pads—they’re soaked in a combination of salicylic and glycolic acid to exfoliate the skin, thus speeding up skin renewal.
- Retinoids (like Retin-A) or high potency retinol products (like ZO’s Radical Night Repair Plus) may reduce pore size because they help decrease the activity of the oil glands. Active Vitamin A treatment doesn’t reduce pore size for everyone—but many people are successful with it.
- Try a quick fix at home. Egg white masks (combine two egg whites and a few drops of lemon juice) can have a quick, albeit temporary, fix.
- Microdermabrasion administered by a professional aesthetician will help exfoliate the skin and provide temporary improvement, but it’s not a permanent solution.
And a few “don’ts”:
1. Don’t get overzealous. Avoid the use of harsh astringents and toners–they can exacerbate the problem.
2. Use moisturizers advisedly. They compact dead cells and decrease cellular turnover. When your pores get clogged and skin isn’t allowed to exfoliate normally, you increase the probability that pores will be enlarged.
3. Don’t try to cover up the problem with foundation or powders. It won’t work and will only irritate the pores (as well as your dermatologist).
Work with the basics—a cleanser, chemical and physical exfoliant—daily. Those three things may be enough to treat large pores.
Hello Dr. Obagi,
I’ve using ZO skin health products for my Acne/ melasma. My skin is east indian light. I use TE pads, Exfoliating Stuff and ZO sunscreen and cleanser . I developed melasma about 6 years ago and had so many treatments including fraxel (bad Choice) and other laser treatments. My dr gave me a ND yag laser treatment– it worker but my melasma came back even darker than before . Right now I only use Zo skin health products. I can not use Obagi Nu derm system since i am trying to concieve . After i developed acne last year my dr recommended Retin A micro and i ‘ve been using that for the last 7-8 months. I didn’t see much improvement in my acne so i stopped Retin a micro last week . My question is this: is there anything i can add to my skin regimen other that my above described ZO products that are safe to use in pregnancy. How about antioxidants or something else? what is your opinion about DDF sulfur mask for weekly treatment with Zo skin products (by the way i love your products ), or should they not be used with zo products. Are these things safe during pregnancy?? Pls Help!!!!!!!
Thank you
Hi Simram,
You have so many questions here that I must take a moment to respond to each one and will get back to you shortly. Dr. Obagi, is not in town, thus the delay in the response. I feel confident answering all of your questions.
Best,
Sandra Obagi, MBA
Medical Esthetician
willHello Simran,
Fraxel, ND Yag, and ALL lasers should be avoided unless your skin has received proper pretreatment (with Obagi Nu-Derm or similar program). More importantly, given your skin type, laser resurfacing can make brown spots appear worse. Further, lasers should not be performed on skin that is having active acne breakouts. Lasers and other resurfacing procedures will cause an acne flare-up. With that being said, it is important to know that these are guidelines followed in our clinic. Other doctors’ offices may perform laser without pretreatment or on someone with acne, but I can only comment on the principles that we follow in our clinics.
Let’s address your other questions. Retin-A® micro is in the same prescription class as hydroquinone, (Category C) the active ingredient in the Obagi Nu-Derm system. I am confused that your doctor would be willing to give you a prescription for Retin-A® and not the Obagi Nu-Derm system. The Nu-Derm system is used with Tretinoin Cream (brand name Retin-A®) in the 0.1% or 0.05% concentration for maximum effectiveness. The Clear, Blender, and Tretinoin are prescription. All other products in the Obagi Nu-Derm system are not. You must speak to your doctor about his or her personal opinion with respect to you using the Obagi Nu-Derm system while trying to conceive.
Some doctors recommend using the system until you actually conceive and then recommend stopping. Others do not want you using any Rx items while attempting to conceive. The ZO Skin Health system is an over-the-counter system. The active ingredient “retinol” is a derivative of retinoic acid (the active ingredient in Tretinoin). ZO Skin Health products are NOT Category C.
Make sure to use the Exfoliating Polish daily (while in the shower) for one minute. Follow by cleansing your skin for ONE minute. Then gently swipe skin with Tepads. At night (or opposite of shower time) cleanse for ONE minute, and then apply the Tepads. You can add the Daily Power Defense in the morning before the Oclipse and at night the Growth Factor Serum, after the Tepads. These contain anti-oxidants and peptides to enhance results. Don’t mix product lines or use your mask with ZO Skin Health.
These recommendations will also help to reduce acne and stimulate healthy skin cells. Once you deliver your baby, you can incorporate the Obagi Nu-Derm system to enhance your results and address your melasma. Also, the Obagi Nu-Derm system will help with more aggressive forms of acne.
Best,
Sandra Obagi, MBA
Medical Esthetician
Hi Dr. obagi,
Could someone pls reply back about sulfur mask for my melasma/ acne skin i order i would like to use this week. I just want to make sure that if sulfur is ok for melasma skin otherwise i won’t use that. I want to use as weekly treatment with my ohter zo skin health products i mentioned above.I’ve completed mouse call yesterday.
Thank you
Hi, Simran:
Sorry for the delay in responding to you; Dr. Obagi has been traveling, and I’m trying to get a qualified opinion for you. I have relayed your message to Sandra Obagi, his daughter and a medical aesthetician, who promises to reply to you soon!
Thanks for your interest and persistence.
Donna Queen
President
Hello Simran,
Sulfar is an ingredient touted for its benefits in helping acne congestion, however, I have never heard of it being used for melasma. Also, you didn’t mention the specific “brand” that you are looking to use. An acne mask can help to dry up acne lesions, etc., but definitely not a cure or solution to the underlying source of acne. I cannot specifically tell you whether your skin will respond well to the mask; whether or not you will have sensitivity from its use, but can tell you that sulfar based masks (plenty out there) are marketed for acne. My personal advice, if you have melasma, skip any products that may have a negative reaction. If you want to apply any “off” label product (non ZO), please stop your ZO Skin Health products 3 days (with the exception of your ZO cleanser and Oclipse) before. Please feel free to email me if you have any further questions.
Best,
Sandra Obagi
Hello Sandra,
Thank you much for your response . Its great help.Sorry i forgot to mention that i was thinking to use DDF theraputic sulfur mask. I will add your recommendation to my regimen. Thanks once again; it was really kind of you and Donna to reply to my question . I was really confused before. i will surely contact yoy guys again when i start Obagi Nu Derm system after delivery.
Hello Dr. Obagi,
I’ve suffering from melasma and acne and I have using zo skin health products from 2 weeks i am using Exfoliating Polish daily and Zo skin Sunscreen . I am now getting more acne than before is that mean sunscreen is causing me acne they look like small white ones on my both cheeks and chin sometime they feel like allergic reaction . Is there anything in zo sunscreen that causing me acne falre up or no. and every time i use Exfoliating Polish my face get really irretated red is that normal i should not use beacause i have active acne and melasma.
Hi,
When using the Nuderm system for normal to oily skin, does the tretinion need to be a creme or can I use retin-A micro gel with the system? I have read that tretinion creme contains an ingredient that is comegedic and can irritate acne even more. Please advise.
Thanks!
Mint
Hi, Mint:
I know that Dr. Obagi likes only the original tretinoin 0.1% (the cream formula). He doesn’t get as good as results (for anti-aging, at least) with the Retin A Micro Gel.
Thanks for asking (and sorry for the delayed reply!)
Donna Queen