How To Minimize Pores 12 Different Ways (That Actually Work)
Wondering how to minimize pores? The size and look of your pores depend on quite a few factors— things like genetics, skin type, exposure to sun, and age are all part of the equation. And regardless of their size, they actually serve an important purpose. "Pores allow the skin to breathe, and are the passageway between the inside of the body and the outside," says dermatologist Paul Jarrod Frank, M.D.
Okay, so pores are totally necessary for our skin, but we can make pores less visible — and shrinking their appearance is not as hard as you may think!
What are clogged pores, exactly?
Before hopping into some tried-and-true expert methods, let’s get to the bottom of how pores start to appear larger in the first place. The reason is actually pretty simple: they’re clogged. Every day, we expose our skin to a multitude of irritants: dirt, oil, dead skin cells, smog—the list goes on. According to The Mayo Clinic, open, clogged pores are referenced as blackheads. Closed, plugged pores are known as whiteheads. The former is what often contributes to the appearance of large, dark pores on face.
Is it possible to reduce pore size instantly?
If by instantly, you mean within seconds—not exactly. There isn’t anything out there that’s going to shrink pores instantly, but you can cleanse your pores to remove any dirt that can be making them more noticeable. You can cover your face with makeup to get a temporary impact, but oftentimes this will only clog your pores even more. As we mentioned above, pore size is often genetic and it’s not possible to get rid of them completely. You can tighten pores with a consistent skincare routine that focuses on cleansing (not over-cleansing!) and protecting your skin.
It’s also important to note that you cannot get rid of pores completely—the goal should be more focused on maintaining healthy skin and how to shrink enlarged pores in a way that’s best for your skin type.
If your goal is to reduce pore size permanently, there are some methods you can integrate into your skincare routine to shrink pores. We spoke with Dr. Frank and other dermatologists to get their expert advice on how to shrink pores. Here, 13 tips that will have your pores looking flawless.
1/151. Put away the magnifying mirror
First of all, this has to be said: No one sees your pores the way you see them in the mirror. What to you is the most obvious breakout to everyone else is normal skin. So the first step in dealing with your pores is mental: Loosen up! But the next steps are very real and give you very real results, taking your possibly-slightly-visible pores down to the definitely-need-a-microscope-to-see-them level.
2/152. Cleanse daily
"Daily cleansing and regular exfoliation are the best ways to keep pores clean," says Dr. Frank. Makes total sense: Pores free of gunk are going to be way harder to spot. But first, you need to coax those suckers to open up so you can get everything out. According to Dr. Frank, heat or steam is the best way to get the job done — try applying a warm washcloth to your face before scrubbing up."
You can cleanse twice a day or once a day, but if you cleanse once a day, choose the nighttime. At the end of the day, your skin will have a buildup of dirt and/or makeup, and it's critical to clean that all out before going to sleep. Some of our favorite cleansers are Youth To The People's Superfood Antioxidant Cleanser, CeraVe's SA Cleanser, and First Aid Beauty's Pure Skin Face Cleanser.
3/153. Add a scrub to your weekly skin care routine
"Incorporating a scrub into your skin care regimen is also beneficial. Just be careful not to over-exfoliate the skin — a scrub once a week is fine," says Dr. Frank.
That being said, look for a gentle exfoliator. "Though exfoliation is important for ridding the skin of dead cells, you can end up irritating it (if you use a rough exfoliator), which can lead to swelling that causes your pores to appear even larger," adds Neal Schultz, M.D. Try with caution Rael's Beauty Miracle Clear Exfoliating Cleanser or Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant.
4/154. Keep your hands off your face
Unless you're cleansing or in the middle of other skin care, keep your hands off! The bacteria on your fingers can transfer to your face and make their way into your pores, so it's best to minimize the time you spend touching your face, let alone picking at it. Picking at clogged pores can be tempting, but ultimately, it usually results in an angrier blemish, blood, scabbing, and even scarring.
5/155. Apply a primer with SPF
Always remember to wear sunscreen to protect your skin from harmful UV rays. “UV and pollution cause free radicals that break down the collagen and elastin in [the] skin, making the skin less tight and [making] pores look larger,” dermatologist Tsippora Shainhouse, M.D. says.
Many sunscreen formulas are shiny, however — and that only makes pores look more prominent. Primers that contain SPF are a perfect solution since they multitask by smoothing over pores while also providing sun protection. These are the SPF's that we always have on rotation: Supergoop's Glow Stick SPF 50 PA++++, Tower 28 Beauty's SunnyDays SPF 30 Tinted Sunscreen Foundation, and Neutrogena's Hydro Boost Water Gel Lotion Sunscreen SPF 50.
6/156. Treat yourself to a chemical peel
Another solution for how to tighten pores? A chemical peel. This in-office treatment will improve the appearance of your pores over time. The new generation of peels work under the surface of the skin and give you an instant glow without making your skin look worse before it looks better.
7/157. Use a retinoid cream
Whether prescription-strength or over-the-counter, a retinoid cream will help boost skin cell turnover, which makes for happier pores. You'll see noticeably smaller-looking pores in a matter of weeks. Brands like Glossier, CeraVe, and Inkey List have great affordable options if you are just starting out.
8/158. Use a clay mask to unclog your pores
Clay masks are another secret weapon for how to minimize pores because they work to quickly unclog pores by wicking out all the oil. According to Dr. Schultz, that oil build-up can make your pores look up to five times larger — so clearing out the gunk is essential. Inkey List's Kaolin Clay Mask is very good and affordable and so is La Roche-Posay's Effaclar Clay Mask.
9/159. Look for products with glycolic acid
"My favorite ingredient for treating enlarged pores is glycolic acid because it works the best at dissolving dead cells and absorbing oil," says Dr. Schultz, with lactic acid as his second-string contender. "Lactic acid is the weaker sister to glycolic and can be equally effective." A good drugstore product with glycolic acid is L'Oreal Paris Skincare Revitalift Derm Intensives 10% Pure Glycolic Acid Serum, but if you're willing to spend some more $$$ Biossance's Squalane + Glycolic Renewal Mask is great, too.
10/1510. Avoid oil-based creams
Lathering on heavy oils or oil-based creams (that includes natural oils like coconut and olive!) is a recipe for clogged pores, even if you have dry skin. These oils will mix with your dead skin cells and congest the pores, explains Dr. Schultz. It's best to avoid all this by choosing water-based products instead.
11/1511. But don't be afraid of oil-based cleansers
Don't be afraid of oil-containing cleansers! Facial oil dissolves better in oil than in water. For oily or combination skin, look for a cleansing milk like Laneige's Cream Skin Milk Oil Cleanser. For dry skin, try using a small amount of a balm-type product that adds moisture while cleaning out pores like Glow Recipe's Papaya Sorbet Enzyme Cleansing Balm or Then I Met You's Living Cleansing Balm. And, of course, it's always helpful to talk to your dermatologist about the best pore-minimizing products that are right for your skin.
Image Source12/1512. Avoid shimmery makeup
While this isn't an actual solution to how to shrink pores, avoiding shimmery makeup will definitely help their overall appearance. "I often see patients wearing 'luminizing' makeup all over their face, which spotlights enlarged pores. Keep shimmery makeup limited to the areas of the face that naturally have small pores (the tops of the cheekbones, the upper bridge of the nose, the forehead by the hairline, and the eyelids), and use matte products on any areas with larger pores. This will draw the eye to the smoothest areas of your skin," advises dermatologist Noelle Sherber, M.D.
Tanja Ivanova13/1513. Use non-comedogenic products
The American Academy of Dermatology Association recommends only using products marked as “non-comedogenic” to shrink pores naturally—this simply means it won’t clog your pores. It may sound obvious, but doing a survey of your current routine to make sure each product describes itself this way to ensure you’re setting your face up for success. The only product that won’t fall into this category are face oils, as “non-comedogenic” means “oil-free.” It’s best to consult with a dermatologist to figure out what’s best for your skin.
Adobe Stock14/15How does aging affect pore size?
Like the rest of your skin, your pores change as you age. Specifically, the collagen around your pores will loosen, giving the appearance of larger pores. Again, genetics play a very large role in just how big your pores will look. To get smaller pores, focus on products that boost collagen production, as well as provide sun protection to help improve skin elasticity.
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