We all desire flawless, smooth skin like the complexions we see on Instagram and magazine covers – which are all airbrushed and filtered by the way – because real skin has pores!
While we can’t ever reverse our pore size once a pore has been stretched, we can certainly take steps to minimize their appearance.
In this article, I’ll share how you can minimize the look of your pores using the right skin care products and makeup techniques that have worked for me, because large pores have been the bane of my existence!
I’m always looking for products to minimize my pore size and I’m here to tell you that there are definitely tips and tricks to make your pores look smaller – I promise!
*this post contains affiliate links*
Understanding Pores & Pore Myths
Pores are essential for maintaining healthy skin. They house hair follicles, sebaceous glands and sweat glands, while ensuring natural lubrication and temperature regulation of the skin.
The size of your pores is primarily determined by genetics and hormonal factors, but they can also appear larger due to excess oil production, sun damage and the natural aging process.
Can Pores Open and Close? No – no they cannot – this is a skin care myth that I believed for a long time.
When I believed this myth, I would often begin washing my face with hot water to “open my pores” and then would rinse my skin with cold water to “close them” back up; this was a terrible practice because all it did was leave my skin tight, red and dry.
Tip: Always use lukewarm water to cleanse your skin to avoid dryness and redness.
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What Factors Contribute To Enlarged Pores
Several factors contribute to the appearance of large pore size:
- Genetics: The size of your pores is largely determined by your genetics. If your parents have naturally larger pores, there’s a higher chance that you may inherit them as well.
- Excess Oil Production: Pores can appear larger when they are clogged with excess oil, leading to a build-up of sebum and dead skin cells. This can stretch the pore walls, making them more visible.
- Sun Damage: Prolonged sun exposure can damage collagen and elastin fibers in the skin, causing it to lose elasticity. As a result, the pores can lose their tightness and appear enlarged. Always wear sunscreen when exposed to natural light, no matter what the season or weather.
- Aging: As we age, our skin naturally loses collagen and elastin, leading to a decrease in skin elasticity. This loss of elasticity can cause the pores to stretch and become more noticeable. Daily use of sunscreen and a robust anti-aging skin care routine can keep your skin looking younger, longer.
- Hormonal Changes: Hormonal fluctuations, such as those that happen during puberty, pregnancy, or menopause, can increase oil production in the skin. This excess oil can contribute to clogged pores and the appearance of larger pores.
- Poor Skincare Routine: Inadequate cleansing, lack of exfoliation and failure to remove makeup properly can lead to the accumulation of dirt, oil and dead skin cells. This build-up can make pores appear larger. You can read up on my morning skin care routine here if you don’t know where to start!
- Squeezing or Picking at Pores: Engaging in the habit of squeezing or picking at your pores can cause inflammation and damage to the surrounding skin, leading to larger-looking pores over time. Keep those skin-squeezing fingers away!
- Environmental Factors: Exposure to environmental pollutants, such as dirt, dust and air pollution can settle on the skin and cause clogged pores, making them appear larger.
12 Skin Care & Makeup Tips To Minimize Your Pores
1. Cleanse Your Skin Morning & Night
Start with a gentle cleanser that removes dirt, excess oil and impurities without stripping the skin. CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser is a gentle foaming option that includes ceramides and niacinamide to clean while protecting the skin’s moisture barrier.
If you are acne prone and/or have oily skin, look for products containing salicylic acid or glycolic acid, which can help unclog pores and exfoliate dead skin cells.
Some of acid-infused cleansers to consider are:
–The Inkey List Salicylic Acid Cleanser
-Murad AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser
Tip: If your cleanser leaves your skin feeling tight and dry, don’t use it and find a more gentle option that won’t damage your skin’s natural moisture barrier.
Foaming cleansers tend to be a more drying option, especially those with acids in the formula.
You can also consider the oil cleansing method, which has been shown to help skin types with acne and/or blackheads to remove excess build up on the pore for a clearer complexion.
I also recommend double cleansing at the end of the day to remove makeup and/or sunscreen which can be hard to remove in a single cleanse and can clog your pores if not properly removed.
You can read more on oil cleansing and browse oil cleansers in the article below.
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2. Exfoliate As Your Skin Allows
Regular exfoliation is crucial for maintaining clear pores, because this process removes dead skin cells and debris that can clog and stretch pores.
Choose chemical exfoliants like alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) or beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) that penetrate the skin and remove dead cells, revealing a smoother texture and minimizing the appearance of pores.
Some chemical exfoliants I enjoy using are:
–Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant (a cult favourite, I’m on my third bottle – I reviewed this here)
-The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution
–Cosrx Blackhead Power Liquid (love this stuff, super gentle & effective, reviewed here)
–Cosrx Poreless Power Liquid (super amazing as well, reviewed here)
–Biologique Recherche Lotion P50 1970 (cult classic AHA exfoliant, I reviewed the Canadian version here)
A chemical peel is a treatment that is stronger than a regular exfoliating toner to further exfoliate skin. If you try an at-home chemical peel, only use it once per week to avoid over-exfoliating your skin.
Two chemical peels I’ve tried and enjoy are The Ordinary AHA/BHA Peeling Solution (reviewed here) and the Paula’s Choice AHA/BHA Exfoliant Peel (reviewed here).
Tip: Only exfoliate at much as your skin can tolerate it.
If you see signs of dryness, redness or tightness, consider reducing the frequency at which you exfoliate or find a more gentle exfoliant to use.
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3. Try Toners Or Essences For Large Pores
Opt for alcohol-free toners that help balance the skin’s pH levels, provide skin hydration and minimize the appearance of pores.
Look for toners that include niacinamide as a main ingredient, as niacinamide has been know for minimizing the look of pores and oil output, while strengthening the skin’s moisture barrier, which is a must for healthy skin.
Some toners and essences that contain niacinamide are:
–Cosrx Poreless Power Liquid (super amazing, reviewed here)
-Cosrx Galactomyces 95 Tone Balancing Essence
–Paula’s Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
-I’m From Rice Toner (reviewed here).
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4. Pore Minimizing Treatments & Serums
There are a number of skin care treatment products targeted at reducing the look of pores while providing a host of other skin care benefits.
Treatments containing niacinamide, retinol, bakuchiol or vitamin C are great treatment options that have personally improved the look of my skin by minimizing my pores and smoothing skin texture over the past several years.
In truth, my pores look better now that I’m in my 40’s than they did in my 20’s because of the skin care routine I follow and the treatments I have incorporated into my routine. I’m also considering visiting a dermatologist who can prescribe a stronger retinol treatment (tretinoin) for further results.
Some skin care treatments that I’ve loved for reducing the look of my pores include:
–Paula’s Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment (this is an amazing but strong treatment at 1% retinol; consider using a milder retinol if you have never used one before – I reviewed this one here).
–The Inkey List Retinol (very gentle, reviewed here).
–The Inkey List Succinic Acid Treatment(great for blackheads, reviewed here).
–Paula’s Choice Vitamin C15 Super Booster (reviewed here).
–The Inkey List Niacinamide (reviewed here).
–The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% (amazing for redness too, reviewed here).
–The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% (reviewed here).
-Paula’s Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster (reviewed here).
–Paula’s Choice Clinical Niacinamide 20% Treatment (reviewed here).
–Paula’s Choice Resist Triple Active Total Repair Serum (great gentle option – stay tuned for a review!)
5. Moisturize Always
Keep your skin adequately hydrated with a lightweight, non-comedogenic moisturizer.
Hydrated skin appears plumper, which can reduce the prominence of pores – trust me! If you tend to get oily, stick to gel moisturizers for a more lightweight formula.
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6. Wear Sun Protection
Shield your skin from harmful UV rays by applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen daily.
Sun damage can contribute to pore enlargement and premature aging, which includes reduced skin elasticity and collagen production, so protecting your skin is essential.
Some sunscreens that are great for oily skin include:
–Biore UV Aqua Rich Water Essence PA++++ (so lightweight, reviewed here).
–La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL Dry Touch SPF 60 (so mattifying!)
–Paula’s Choice Resist Daily Hydrating Fluid Face Moisturizer SPF 50 (lightweight lotion)
7. Try A Weekly Clay Mask
Clay masks are great for sucking out debris that can enlarge your pores. Use a clay mask weekly to refine your pores and minimize their appearance.
Some clay masks to consider include:
–Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay (reviewed here).
-Innisfree Pore Clearing Clay Mask
8. Consider Microneedling
A professional can perform a microneedling procedure, which is an effective way of stimulating collagen production to plump skin and shrink pores.
A microneedling device makes tiny punctures in the skin with very small, sterile needles, which triggers micro-trauma in the skin. This trauma triggers collagen production that repairs the the punctures while creating fuller skin.
The results from this procedure will depend on the size of the microneedle (longer needles can get deeper into the skin for better results).
You can also buy your own microneedling device, however, you need to ensure your device is properly sterilized to avoid infection. These at-home devices will usually have smaller needles than what a professional would be able to use.
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10. Laser Treatment
Dermatologists can use laser treatments to tighten the surface of the skin and reduce the look of pores and address other skin care concerns.
Consider speaking to a dermatologist to determine the right laser treatment for your skin’s needs.
11. Red Light Therapy
Red light therapy has been shown to improve the look of fine lines, enlarged pores, sun damage and scarring because it works to stimulate collagen and elastin production to firm and plump skin.
There are a number of at-home red light therapy tools that you can consider. I use the CurrentBody Skin LED Light Therapy Mask, (reviewed here) to plump and firm my skin.
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12. Pore Minimizing Primer
A silicone-based primer can create a smooth base for your makeup, blurring the appearance of pores.
Apply it after moisturizer and allow it to set before proceeding with foundation.
Some primers I’ve enjoyed or heard were amazing for minimizing pores include:
–e.l.f. Cosmetics Poreless Putty Primer (reviewed here).
–NYX Pore Filler Primer (reviewed here).
-Touch In Sol Pore Blem Primer
–NYX Angel Veil Skin Perfecting Primer
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13. Foundation Selection
Choose a lightweight, oil-free foundation or a mineral powder foundation. These foundations will usually have mattifying properties that work to reduce shine on the skin, which could highlight the look of enlarged pores.
Avoid foundations that would give a glowy finish to the skin – this means foundations that include descriptive terms like dewy, glowy or radiant in it’s description or title.
Some mattifying or pro-oily skin foundations to consider are:
-Catrice HD Liquid Coverage Foundation (love this one, reviewed here)
-Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation (a full coverage cult fave – reviewed here).
–Smashbox Studio Skin Full Coverage Foundation (full coverage – read how to apply this here).
-L’Oreal Infallible Pro-Matte Longwear Foundation
-Revlon ColorStay Combination & Oily Skin
-Armani Beauty Power Fabric Foundation
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14. Apply A Setting Powder
Apply a dusting of translucent setting powder to help set your foundation and control shine.
Be cautious not to overdo it, as excess powder can accentuate the appearance of pores. I always use a setting powder to set my foundation; it makes my skin look smooth and flawless and definitely helps hide those pores.
I have a whole post dedicated to why you should set your foundation with powder here.
I love the RCMA No Color Powder to set my foundation. Airspun Translucent Powder is also a setting powder that I’ve heard is great and is talc free.
15. Blotting Papers
Keep oil at bay throughout the day that can shine a spotlight on pores by using blotting papers.
Press them gently onto your skin to absorb excess oil without disturbing your makeup.
Oil-absorbing rollers like this one from Revlon are great for absorbing oil and can be re-used with regular washing (I have one, it works!).
16. Setting Spray
Mist your face with a setting spray designed to mattify your skin and reduce shine to lock your makeup in place.
This can help create a more polished look and reduce the visibility of pores.
Some mattifying setting sprays to consider include:
-Wet n’ Wild Photo Focus Matte Finish Setting Spray
–Skindinavia The Makeup Setting Spray Bridal, Long-Lasting (cult classic pick!)
–Milani Make it Last Charcoal Matte Setting Spray
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