Ingredients to help tighten pores in cream formulations

Hello! In addition to Witch Hazel, there are several other active ingredients that can help tighten pores in cream formulations. These can be categorized based on their mechanism of action as follows:

1. Ingredients that directly help tighten pores:

• Witch Hazel: A natural extract that helps to tone and tighten pores. It is available in various forms, such as Witch Hazel (Distillate - Alcohol Free, Paraben Free) and Witch Hazel (Alcohol Free, Paraben Free) Plus Allantoin, which includes Allantoin to reduce irritation.
• Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine Hydrochloride): Vitamin B6 has oil-controlling properties, and reducing excess oil can help pores that appear enlarged due to oiliness look tighter. It is suitable for very oily skin.

2. Ingredients that help by balancing skin, reducing excess oil, making pores appear smaller naturally:

• Rice Bran Extract (Gamma Oryzanol): Such as Pure-Oryzanol™ and Oryzanol-Active™, helps control skin oiliness and has antioxidant properties.
• Licorice Extract: Extracts from licorice root, available in various types like Licorice Extract (Licochalcone A 1%, Water-Soluble) and Licorice Extract (Glabridin 4.5%, Water-Soluble), help reduce inflammation, oiliness, and soothe the skin.
• Zinc PCA: Helps reduce skin oiliness, reduce inflammation, and promote skin healing. It is suitable for acne-prone skin.
• Pure MSM™ (Methylsulfonylmethane): Helps control the oil production of sebaceous glands and can aid in skin exfoliation at higher concentrations.
• Vitamin B3 (Niacinamide): Such as Safe-B3™ and Extreme-B3™, helps reduce facial oiliness, strengthen the skin barrier, reduce red/dark spots, and stimulate collagen production.
• Azelaic Acid: Such as Azelaic Acid (Liquid Azelaic™), helps reduce skin oiliness, control sebaceous gland function, reduce clogging, and brighten the skin.

3. Ingredients that help exfoliate old skin cells:

• AHA (Alpha Hydroxy Acids): Such as Glycolic Acid. Products like Glycopure™ (Glycolic Acid (AHA) 100% Powder) and Ampho-Glycolic™ (Non-Stinging Glycolic Acid Solution) help accelerate the shedding of old skin cells, leading to smoother skin and smaller-looking pores.

4. Ingredients that help dissolve pore-clogging material:

• BHA (Beta Hydroxy Acids): Such as Salicylic Acid. It comes in various forms, including Salicylic Acid (BHA) powder (not water-soluble), Complex Salicylic Acid (Powder, Water-Soluble) which is water-soluble, and Willow Bark Extract (Natural Salicylic Acid), a natural form of Salicylic Acid. BHA has the property of dissolving clogged material in pores, which helps pores enlarged by clogging appear tighter.

When choosing ingredients, you should also consider your skin type and concerns. If you have oily skin and clogged pores, using ingredients from the oil-control, exfoliation, and pore-clearing categories can help make your pores look tighter.