When the sebaceous glands in the skin become over active, your skin produces more oil and sebum than usual and can result in your pores enlarging. Further agitation of the enlarged pores can result in broken pores, which are red and distracting. It may seem like washing your face more often is the answer, but over washing can actually make the skin produce more sebum and cause the problem to worsen. Luckily, there is a simple home remedy you can use to soothe the redness of broken pores while shrinking the pore size itself.

Soak a wash cloth in water as hot as you can stand it. Hold the hot wash cloth over the affected area for a minute or two. The warm water will cause the pores to open, allowing them to be cleaned out easier.

Mix buttermilk and plain salt into the consistency of a thick paste. The salt will act as an exfoliant, while the buttermilk will soothe the redness of any broken pores.

Rub the mixture into the affected area and let it sit for a few minutes. Rinse the mixture off with warm water, using the wash cloth to remove any excess salt grains if necessary.

Rinse off the wash cloth and re-soak it, this time in very cold water. Press the cold wash cloth over the affected area. The cold water will cause the newly cleansed pores to close.

Apply a small dot of oil free moisturizer to the area to sooth the skin. Repeat several times a week, or until the condition improves.