Hi gorgeous!
Since relocating to California, my skin and I have been locked in a constant battle—an on-and-off struggle that’s left me frustrated. I used to be the girl with naturally flawless skin, never washing my face outside the shower and even sleeping in my makeup. (I know, pretty gross, right?) I almost miss that old Kaysha with her perfect complexion… though I’d love to have her back. My skin has always been on the dry side, but never flaky. Now it’s turned oilier, not terribly, but I’m breaking out far more often, and my pores feel like they’ve expanded to Texas-sized proportions.
I’ve combed through countless websites, magazines, and stores like Sephora and Nordstrom in search of a solution. What I’ve discovered, at least for me, is that the more I fuss with my skin, the angrier it becomes. So here’s where I’ve landed…
In the shower, I give my face a gentle cleanse using Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash Pink Grapefruit Foaming Scrub. This cleanser won Allure Magazine’s Readers’ Choice Award back in 2009, so you know it’s effective—and it smells amazing too.
Now, let me share my go-to DIY remedy for minimizing those pores. You only need two ingredients: baking soda and lemon juice (I use the bottled kind, not fresh-squeezed). What I love most is how affordable and simple it is—and it genuinely works. With so many products on the market making big promises, it’s hard to know what’s worth buying. What if you spend a fortune and end up hating it? I enjoy pampering myself without overspending; there’s a time to splurge, and I do, but when I find something cheap, natural, easy, and effective—I’m all in.
Here’s the simple process: place 2 tablespoons of baking soda in a small bowl and add a few drops of lemon juice. Expect a fizzy, volcano-like reaction—that’s why I add just a few drops at a time, to avoid too much lemon juice. You want the mixture to form a paste. Gently massage it over your face, steering clear of the eye area and concentrating on those stubborn large-pore zones. Don’t scrub—just lightly massage for about 30 seconds per area. Let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes, then rinse with warm water. I apply this mask every other day after my shower. A quick note: it won’t make your pores vanish completely, especially after a single use, but it does help minimize their appearance over time.
After washing, I pat my face dry with a towel and then let it air-dry for another 5 to 10 minutes. Once dry, I moisturize with Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream. This moisturizer is a game-changer! It’s gentle and comes in both scented and unscented versions. I typically avoid scented face products, but Olay’s is so subtle that I love it. It has won multiple awards and outperformed creams costing hundreds of dollars. Olay has been a trusted brand for ages, and they really outdid themselves with this formula. A little goes a long way—my current jar has lasted about two months, and I’m just now running out. A childhood friend of mine has a grandmother in her 90s who looks no older than 70 and is full of wit. The only skincare product she’s ever used is the original Olay face lotion. Her skin is living proof that Olay delivers quality without a hefty price tag. I regularly spot it on sale at CVS or Walgreens.
I’d love to hear about your favorite skincare products or your daily routine—let’s swap tips and find what works best for you.
Now go show your skin some love!
K
You should totally try it, It’s super easy and obviously cheap! I thought it would be harsh, because I have sensitive skin…but it seems to work great. I never used to have big ol’ pores until I moved to California. I think my skin is just still adjusting…but this is a fantastic alternative in the mean time. I hope it works for you as well!
there is nothing worse than having a change in your skin, it takes me so long to figure out what to change in my skincare to fix it all
http://www.mercuteify.com/
Ugh! I know right, what a pain in the arse.