Help for massive huge pores on face please do you have advice?

[PaulSmenis]

I have a couple of massive pores that look like big holes and they've opened up on my face over the last couple of years and it looks like two more are forming.

I have no idea what they are or why they've appeared. I've tried glycolic acid and retin A. The retin A actually made it worse and two more are coming.

It's making me really, really self conscious and embarrassed. I look ok apart from these, but they are hideous. I now cleanse, tone and moisturise with natural chemical free Weleda products thinking it's worth a try. It's not treating them.

I have considered visiting my GP, but I suspect they will send me away as they are not life threatening. How much would private treatment cost roughly? Wtf is wrong with me?

Can anyone help?

[RonaldMcDonald]

Try a bha.
It will help sort out the pore from the inside
You can then use an aha if you find you need one on top to remove any dead skin etc

[PaulSmenis]

Thanks Ronald. Do you what percentage to use for this?

[D0oinMeCleanin]

A what Ronald? I have looked on Amazon but I am confused.

OP I found that microdemabrasion improved the appearance of mine for few weeks. I am booked in for a few sessions before my holiday.

[PaulSmenis]

How much did that set you back if you don't mind me sking D0inMeCleaning?

[D0oinMeCleanin]

Where I go it's £35 a session or you can block book 10 sessions for £300 but I am oop north, I dread to think how much it would cost in London.

I had one session last time and was impressed with the results, so I have two sessions, 10 days apart as recommended this time. The lady told me for the best results I should have 10 sessions 7 - 10 days apart and then monthly maintenance sessions.

Avon's Pore reducing mask used to be brilliant but I can never find that anymore. I might look on Amazon.

[PaulSmenis]

Did you have the same problem D0in? They aren't just enlarged pores, they are bleedin massive freak pores.

I'm not in London, so might be able to get the treatment for a similar price to you.

[D0oinMeCleanin]

Yeah, I also had red blotches, where I had over squeezed blackheads, it helped those too.

It's not a miracle, you're not going to walk out thinking "Wow, my skin is transformed" after just one session, but it does make a noticeable difference to pores and especially to any red marks or acne scars.

[PaulSmenis]

Thanks D0in. My skin sounds very much like yours. I have also started getting loads of spots and pimples since this hot weather started, even though I'm c religiusly cleanse twice a day and use Weleda purifying lotion for problem skin.

I just found someone in my area who does 8 microdemabrasion sessions for £210. Does that sound too cheap? There's no way I can get it done before I go on holiday as I have so much work on. Do you reckon the home kits would be up to much?

[PaulSmenis]

Wow, sorry about the garbled typing. I'm still waking up.

[D0oinMeCleanin]

I've used the Nutrogena home microdermabrasion kits and they give better results than exfoliating alone and seem to calm my skin more and make it generally smoother and nicer, but they aren't half as good as the proper microdermabrasion.

I don't think that's too cheap, but if you're unsure try Googling for reviews of that salon. People like to rant online if they're not happy with things

[butterfliesandflowers]

Mine were awful just last year and are now better than they were 20 years ago, I changed a few of my products to very gentle ones and stopped stripping my skin of its natural oil content - my skin was oily but dehydrated, its amazing how even natural products can either contain very little natural or the natural can be no good for skin, the beautypedia woman has a list of ingredients that you can check whats in your products? Might help - and I spend less on skincare now too!

[PaulSmenis]

Thanks butterflies. I've switched to all the parabens and SLS free stuff and have started using Weleda products. Unfortunately, one of them seems to have given me spots and that's the one for problem skin.

Which products do you use?

[AmazingDisgrace]

I'm using Caudalie beauty elixir as a toner and then again to set makeup. That and using Vichy Normaderm antiage and Normaderm night stuff are working. My pores are much smaller

[butterfliesandflowers]

I was a big Clinique fan - still am for moisturiser as all others give me spots, but now I use either their wash away gel cleanser ( they call it cleanser but tell you its for makeup removal and you need a harsh cleanser on top, - you don't it works fine, a little goes a long way but it works) but when I'm not flush I use a clean and clear gentle cleanser which actually is just as good. Then I use the Clinique MILD clarifying lotion - the only one without alcohol and you usually have to ask for it like cigarettes or as if its some big secret, and we always have to go through the "you don't want to buy this one talk" - veh annoying! it does have salicylic acid in but not much so at night I use olay total effects with salicylic acid too, and day I use moisture surge (winter) and city block (when they get it back have been promised is not discount) so superdefense for time being as like spf in day. tis v Clinique based but have had issues with lots other ones as have oily skin so spots easily. I spent a long time trawling the beautypedia site looking for products that were available in uk, but generally 3 products am and pm, 4 in winter and I now get a spot or two 5 days a month ( guess when) and pores are normal size!
Hope it helps

[PaulSmenis]

Thanks AmazingDisgrace and butterflies.

It's worth a try, although I might try salicylic acid again for the spots.

Can anyone also recommend a good day moisturiser with sunblock that doesn't make you greasy.

I'm not all that flush at the moment as holiday time is nearly upon me!

[butterfliesandflowers]

fraid the only one I've found is superdefense, not cheap! tried olay total effects recently but only spf 15 and felt it was verging on the heavy/greasy I'm afraid

[UnrequitedSkink]

I'm using La Roche Posay spf 20 and that's nice and non-greasy. It's not really cheap (£16 I think).) I hate my pores so I use a balm to cleanse with at night and then use a clean facecloth and warm water to rinse it off with. It seems to help keep the pores clear, whereas when I just use a rinse-off cleanser I end up with gunk in my pores, esp round my nose, which I think enlarges them.

[PaulSmenis]

Thanks for your suggestions. I have fairly recently spent shit loads on Weleda stuff because I though the answer would lie in totally natural products. Unfortunately it doesn't, but they small very nice.

[StepAwayFromTheEcclesCakes]

I too use la roche posay stuff, I particularly like the derma cleanse face wash and the blue liquid stuff in the bottle as a toner. also use the effacler K stuff and clear up any rogue spots with the effacler duo. before switching to this I had good results with Bravura products that had glycolic acid in. my large pores are barely visible now.