11 Effective Homemade Face Packs To Treat Open Pores

Large, open pores on your face can not only hurt your appearance, but they can also be a pain to work with when applying makeup since foundation and concealer sink into these pores. The key is to use the correct face packs to treat open pores so that the enlarged pores close up and your skin seems smooth.

Pores aren’t anything extraordinary, and they’re certainly not the enemy. Pores can be found on every part of our body’s skin, including the face and legs. The body sweats and secretes sebum to the skin’s surface through these pores. Sebum, the oil released by the skin, keeps it hydrated, nourished, and free of bacteria. The correct amount of sweat is essential to enable the body to expel extra salts and water. The majority of our bodily pores are too small to see with the naked eye. However, in some regions, these pores might become enlarged and noticeable.

Pores that are enlarged have a negative impact on the appearance of the skin, making it appear rough and uneven. Though genetics play a role in pore size, various other factors also contribute to open pores. Hormonal changes, stress, and a poor skincare routine are just a few of them. These cause clogged pores, whiteheads, and blackheads by producing excessive oil or sebum production. Leaving heavy cosmetics overnight aggravates the condition even more.

The good news is that you can resolve this issue by using face packs and following a good exfoliation and cleansing routine. Check out some of the fantastic face packs we have listed below to help you say goodbye to enlarged pores.

1. Besan And Turmeric Powder

You Will Need

• 1 tablespoon besan (chickpea flour)
• A pinch of turmeric
• 1 tablespoon yogurt
• 2-3 drops olive oil

What You Have To Do

1.  Make a smooth paste with all the ingredients and keep it in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes.
2. Apply this pack all over the face, avoiding the eyes and lips.
3.  Let the face pack dry naturally for about 20 minutes. Then, rinse it off with water.
4. You can follow this up by rubbing an ice cube on your face and then applying some moisturizer.

How Often You Should Do This

This face pack should be applied twice to thrice a week religiously for two months to see noticeable results.

Why This Works

Besan (chickpea flour) and turmeric powder are known for their skin benefits. Besan absorbs all the impurities that are clogging and enlarging the pores (1). Turmeric evens out the skin tone and deals with any harmful bacteria present on the skin with its bactericidalⁱ  properties (2). Yogurt acts as a toner and moisturizer for the skin (3).

2. Honey And Lemon Juice

You Will Need

• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1/2 tablespoon lemon juice
• A pinch of sugar

What You Have To Do

1. Prepare a mixture of the above ingredients and massage this on your face.
2.  Massage gently in upward circular motions.
3. Leave it on for 5 minutes and then rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water.

Avoid rubbing off the mixture with a towel after rinsing off the pack.

How Often You Should Do This

Repeat this twice or thrice a week.

Why This Works

Honey is a natural humectant that helps retain the moisture in your skin. It also possesses antimicrobial properties (4). Lemon juice, on the other hand, possesses astringentⁱ  properties that help shrink pores (5).

3. Tomato Juice

You Will Need

• 1-2 tablespoons tomato juice
• 1/2 tablespoon sandalwood powder
• 1 tablespoon multani mitti (Fuller’s earth)
• A pinch of turmeric powder

What You Have To Do

1. Blend the ingredients and apply the face pack.
2. Keep it on for 15 minutes and then rinse it off with water.
3. Pat dry and apply a moisturizer.

Alternate Method

Add half a tablespoon of seaweed powder to one and a half tablespoons of tomato juice. Mix well and apply it on your face with a cotton ball. Rinse off after 20 minutes.

How Often You Should Do This

Use this face pack twice a week.

Why This Works

This face pack works really well for acne prone and oily skin. Tomato juice is packed with vitamins A and C, which possess natural antioxidant and astringent properties. Vitamin C works wonders when it comes to reducing clogged pores, age spots, and wrinkles (6). Multani mitti acts as a natural cleanser and has astringent properties.

4. Green Tea

You Will Need

• 1 tablespoon green tea powder
• 2-3 tablespoons water
• 1 egg white
• 2 teaspoons flour

What You Have To Do

1. Add water to the green tea powder and let this mixture sit for 4-5 minutes.
2. Blend the egg white with flour and add this to the green tea mixture.
3. Apply this pack on your face and neck.
4. Let it dry for 15 minutes and then rinse it off.

How Often You Should Do This

Do this once or twice a week.

Why This Works

Green tea, as we all know, is great for our skin and body. It containstanninsⁱ  that work as antioxidants and remove toxins and other irritants from your skin (7). This eventually helps to shrink your large pores. Egg white also helps to tone the skin and tighten pores, making the skin firm and supple (8). This face pack also works as an anti-aging mask.

5. Curd And Gram Flour

You Will Need

• 2 tablespoons curd (plain yogurt)
• 1 tablespoon gram flour

What You Have To Do

1. Mix the curd and gram flour and apply the pack on your face.
2. Once the face pack has dried (after 15-20 minutes), wash it off with cold water.

How Often You Should Do This

Apply this twice a week.

Why This Works

Yogurt not only moisturizes but also tones the skin. This remedy can help reduce your pores if used regularly. Gram flour will help open clogged pores and tone your skin.

6. Egg Face Pack

You Will Need

• 1 egg white
• 1 teaspoon multani mitti (Fuller’s earth)
• 1 teaspoon cucumber juice

What You Have To Do

1. Add multani mitti and cucumber juice to the egg white and beat well.
2. Apply this pack using your fingers or a face pack brush on your face and neck.
3. Leave it on for 15 minutes.
4. Rinse it off with lukewarm water first and then splash your face with cold water.

How Often You Should Do This

Apply this face pack twice a week.

Why This Works

Egg white can tighten pores and give an instant glow to your skin. It also helps to dry out pimples and rejuvenate the skin by rebuilding the skin cells (9). Multani mitti is a cosmetic clay that helps to draw out impurities and excess oil from the skin pores and shrink them (10). Cucumber juice acts as an astringent (11).

Quick Tip

Take extra caution to ensure you do not ingest the egg white to avoid the risk of contracting salmonella infection.

7. Oats Face Pack For Open Pores

You Will Need

• 2-3 tablespoons oats
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon honey
• Rose water

What You Have To Do

1. Grind the oats to get a powder.
2. Add lemon juice, honey, and some rose water to get a smooth paste.
3. Apply this paste evenly on your face and leave it on for about 15 minutes.
4. Now, wet your fingers and gently scrub off the pack using circular motions.
5. Rinse your face with plain water.

How Often You Should Do This

Apply this pack twice a week.

Why This Works

Oatmeal thoroughly cleanses the skin and also helps it deal with the built-up oxidative stressⁱ  with its antioxidants (12). The acidity of lemon juice acts as an astringent and an antimicrobial agent (13). Rose water helps to balance the skin’s pH, tone the skin, and shrink large pores (14). Honey is a good emollient and humectant in this face pack mixture (15).

8. Papaya

You Will Need

• 4-5 pieces of ripe papaya (small cubes)
• A few drops of honey

What You Have To Do

1. Mash the papaya and add honey to it. Mix well.
2. Apply this pack on your face.
3. Rinse it off after 10 minutes.

How Often You Should Do This

Apply this face pack twice or thrice a week.

Why This Works

The enzymes and phytocompoundsⁱ  found in papaya exfoliate and cleanse the skin. This plant-based remedy will remove whiteheads, blackheads, and other impurities that have been clogging your pores and making them enlarged (16). Papaya is a good source of beta-carotene, the precursor of vitamin A. Vitamin A and retinoids may help reduce pore size and help battle early signs of aging.

9. Cucumber With Rose Water

You Will Need

• 1 tablespoon cucumber juice
• 1 tablespoon rose water
• Cotton ball

What You Have To Do

1. Prepare a solution by mixing cucumber juice with rose water.
2. Using the cotton ball, apply this all over your face and neck.
3. You can keep this on overnight. Alternatively, you can rinse it off with cold water after 15 minutes.

How Often You Should Do This

Do this on a daily basis.

Why This Works

Cucumber contains vitamin E and natural fatty acids that hydrate and nourish the skin. Its hydration and astringent properties help tighten pores and fade fine lines and wrinkles. Cucumber also contains silica that slows down the process of skin aging and helps in brightening up your complexion (17).

10. Yogurt Or Raw Milk

You Will Need

2 tablespoons plain yogurt or raw milk

What You Have To Do

1. Apply either of the ingredients on your face. You can use some cotton to apply the milk.
2. Leave it on for 10-15 minutes.
3. Rinse your face with water.

How Often You Should Do This

Repeat this every alternate day until you get the desired results. You can then continue to use it twice a week to maintain healthy skin.

Why This Works

Like yogurt, raw milk also tones the skin and moisturizes it. This is because of the natural acids and enzymes present in it (18).

11. Baking Soda

You Will Need

• 2 tablespoons of baking soda
• 2 tablespoons of water
• A clean bowl

What You Have To Do

1. In a clean bowl, mix the baking soda with water till you form a paste.
2. Massage this paste on damp skin. Focus on the areas with open pores.
3. Leave it on for a few minutes, then rinse it off with cold water.
4. Pat your skin dry and apply a light, oil-free moisturizer.

How Often You Should Do This

Once a week to prevent over-exfoliation.

Why This Works

Baking soda possesses antibacterial properties (19). Thus, it may prevent the formation of pimples and acne. It is also said to aid the removal of dead skin cells, dirt, and impurities while preserving the pH balance of the skin. However, there is not enough scientific evidence to prove the same.

Quick Tip

Use yogurt if you want to exfoliate your skin and milk if you want to cleanse and moisturize.

These are the best face packs you can prepare with simple ingredients found at home and get rid of those ugly-looking large, open pores. If you have not used any of these ingredients before, do a small patch test on the upper forearm to rule out the possibility of any adverse reactions.

Infographic: 4 DIY Face Packs To Treat Open Pores

Open pores on your face can make it difficult to apply makeup and end up ruining your look. Do not worry! We have rounded up the 4 best DIY face packs you should have in your arsenal to tighten those pores and make your skin appear smooth and healthy. Check out the infographic below to know more.