According to L'Oréal Paris, today more than ever, women are fixated on the size of their pores. According to new research conducted among more than 2,000 adults in February 2014 by Harris Poll on behalf of L'Oréal Paris, nearly half of women (45%) wish they could change the size of their pores and almost one in three women (28%) are more concerned about their pore size than wrinkles. This obsession has even led dermatologists to coin the term "porexia" for those who have a neurosis about their pores.
Other findings from the research include:
- Nearly four in 10 women (38%) feel their pores are too big; this number rises to nearly 50% among Latina women (48%);
- Nearly half of US women (47%) would give up something in exchange for smaller pores; 23% would give up alcohol for a year, 17% would give up social media for a year, and 11% would give up shaving their legs for a year;
- Nearly two in ten women (19%) edit or filter photos before posting to hide skin imperfections; and
- More than one in 10 women (13%) have avoided taking selfies because they are self-conscious of their pore size.
In addition, L’Oreal Paris shared information about “the path to porexia:”
- One in five women (21%) say they began noticing the size of their pores between the ages of 15 and 20.
- More than one in ten women (13%) think about the size of the pores on their face seven or more times per week.
- More than one in 10 women (14%) say they worry about their pore size while on a date.
- Over 50% of men (53%) admit they have never noticed the size of pores on a woman's face.
The average adult has five million pores on their body with approximately 20,000 on their face alone. Yes pesky, but pores are critical in allowing skin to breathe and helping the body get rid of oils and toxins. While pore size is largely determined by genetics, oil, dirt and dead skin cells that collect on the face can form blockages within pores. When this happens, pores look larger, inflamed and can cause acne to form. It is critical to wash the face daily and use skin care products with exfoliating properties to help avoid blockages within the pores. Until now, this has been easier said than done.
Seventy-three percent of women say they have not found a product that effectively shrinks their pore size. "Almost every day, patients come into my office complaining about their pore size. In fact, it is one of the top three skin care concerns I hear from women," says L'Oreal Paris consulting dermatologist Gervaise Gerstner, MD.
Women can visit www.poreobsessed.com to learn more about pores and get advice on how to fight the battle against their pores. On the site, women can find expert tips from Gerstner including the basics about pores, step-by-step regimens and answers to a wide variety of questions related to pores.
