Q: Pores are the oil-producing openings of hair follicles, and their size is essentially determined by your genes, which means it can't be permanently changed. Pores can also be affected by your skin type: pores appear larger and more visible on skin that's naturally oily, while dry skin can seem almost poreless. Pores can also get larger if dead skin cells and oil are allowed to accumulate. They can become larger if your collagen is weakened by aging or exposure to UV rays. Going to bed still wearing makeup, as well as any dirt and debris that may have collected on your face during the day, is a sure way to clog your pores. Get into the habit of cleansing your face each and every night so your pores will be less likely to get clogged. Cleanse your face with warm water to avoid irritating your skin. After cleansing, splash your face with cold water. This will make your pores appear smaller, although the effect is only temporary. Pat your face dry with a soft towel. Many cleansers contain harsh ingredients that can irritate your skin, making your pores look wider and more "open." In order to keep them closed, it's best to use a gentle cleanser that washes away dirt without causing your skin to dry out. Choose a cleanser that's sulfate free. Sulfates are harsh cleansers that can strip the skin of its natural oils and leave it dry and itchy. Avoid using a cleanser with scrubbing beads on a daily basis. The beads could be irritating to your skin, and should only be used 2-3 times a week. It's becoming increasingly popular to replace soap with oil as a facial cleanser. It might sound counterintuitive to use oil to wash your face, but it's actually quite effective. The oil binds with your skin's natural oils and gently washes away dirt, sweat, and makeup without the need for harsh chemicals. Just smooth it over your skin and use a wet washcloth to wipe it off using a circular motion. Here are a few oil combinations to try out: For oily skin: Mix 1 teaspoon castor oil and 2 teaspoons jojoba oil. For combination skin: Mix 1/2 teaspoon castor oil and 2 teaspoons olive oil. For dry skin: Mix 1/4 teaspoon castor oil and 2 teaspoons coconut or olive oil. Splash your skin with warm water and use a gentle daily cleanser. Pat your face dry with a soft towel. It's especially important to wash your face in the morning if you're going to wear makeup. Oily, unwashed skin can prevent your makeup from adhering correctly. Dead skin builds up on the surface of your skin, mixes with sweat and dirt, and ends up clogging pores. Exfoliating your skin regularly will prevent your pores from getting clogged so quickly. The result will be closed, small-looking pores as opposed to clogged pores that look big and open. One of the best ways to exfoliate is by simply using a washcloth. Wet your face and scrub it gently using circular motions. You could also use a facial loofah pad, which digs slightly deeper to remove dead skin. Facial scrubs are also good. Try a mixture of ground almonds and honey. If you have sensitive or acne-prone skin, using a physical exfoliant like a washcloth or loofah might irritate your skin. Instead, try using a chemical exfoliant, like an alpha or beta hydroxy acid.
A: Understand that pore size is hereditary. Wash your face before you go to bed each night. Use a cleanser that doesn't irritate your skin. Try the oil cleansing method. Wash your face in the morning. Exfoliate every few days.

Q: You may still feel helpless and overwhelmed, but take a minute to feel pride that you are doing something about improving your life. The biggest step is over, and you freed yourself from the grips of an abusive relationship. You will be busy trying to figure out how to start your life on a different path and begin the process of emotional healing, but it's important to take a moment to appreciate your own strength. You did it. You're free. Do some things that you enjoy, both little and big, to get the healing process started. Give yourself a break. Whether it's a hot bath, a TV binge, or a long vacation, it's important to allow yourself little extras and big rewards during this healing process. Especially indulge everything your abuser forbade for no good reason. You really can put your favorite music on and dance to it while you clean up, laugh at your favorite comedian, and enjoy eating the foods your abuser hated. Reclaim those small joys in life, one by one, for yourself. Gaining emotional strength may be a long road, and your abuser will likely try to win you back. It's important to eliminate contact with this individual regardless of how charming or apologetic the actions and words seem to be. Allow yourself the opportunity to heal and pull yourself away from your abuser's manipulative spell completely. Well-meaning friends and family, possibly unaware of how bad your situation was, may try to convince you that you should stay with the abuser. Ignore this advice. You don't need to return to a physically or emotionally abusive relationship "for the kids" or because your partner "is going through something." Whatever you do to help the healing process move along, don't go back. It only gets worse. You only get one life, do not chance losing it because you think that person will change. The early signs of serious anxiety and stress-related depression are all made worse with poor diet, lack of exercise, and sleeplessness. These factors can start to cycle and spiral downward, making it very hard to start the healing process. You're likely exhausted and you need to get plenty of rest. Sleep as late as it seems like you need to. Try to move your work schedule around some, if you can, to make sure you're getting enough sleep. See if anyone could switch shifts with you to go on to a later shift, so you don't need to get up. Better yet, consider taking some time off work and resting up, healing your body and your mind. Talking to and learning from other abuse sufferers can be an important step in your recovery. It's recommended that all survivors or domestic violence reach out and talk in a safe and accepting environment to help learn the skills to cope and to move on. To find a support group in your area, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or TTY 1-800-787-3224. It is natural for us to want companionship and love, especially during times of transition. Surround yourself with friends, animals, or new experiences, as opposed to responding to any offers that may be made by the abuser. Don't go back when you want companionship, find it elsewhere.
A:
Congratulate yourself. Treat yourself. Avoid all contact with your abuser. Get plenty of sleep. Find a support group.