The 15 Best Pore Minimizing Products That Actually Work
On a mission to track down the best pore-minimizing products, we consulted with top dermatologists and celebrity makeup artists to find out what really works when it comes to getting flawless pores.
Because let's face it: You can’t flip through a beauty magazine, scroll through a beauty website, or watch a face wash commercial without hearing about pores. Those ever-present tiny dots on our faces are also often the biggest source of skincare stress.
But, despite what you may hear, it’s not actually possible to make your pores disappear, or even shrink. “I like to tell my patients that a pore is a pore is a pore,” board-certified dermatologist Dr. Joel Schlessinger, tells Teen Vogue. “They can't be changed and since they are essentially a hole, hoping to get rid of them is futile. You can’t actually open, close, or shrink your pores … Pores are not muscles and cannot contract or expand at will.”
And really, you shouldn’t want them to. “While many regard their pores as the bane of their existence, they actually play a crucial role in skin health,” Dr. Schlessinger says. “They’re necessary for keeping skin supple, moisturized, and healthy, and without them, skin would appear dry and dull. Additionally, oils wouldn't be able to escape, leading to more pimples or breakouts.”
But, though pores are necessary and you can’t shrink them, you can make them seem smaller or less visible with the right products and the right skincare routine.
You can also get in the habit of using certain makeup and skincare products that will help minimize and hide your pores. Here, the 15 best pore-minimizing products recommended by the experts.
Mona Gohara, MD, a member of the American Academy of Dermatology, tells Teen Vogue she’s a “huge fan” of all charcoal face masks. “I like charcoal masks because they are great at absorbing impurities that dwell deep in pores,” she says.” Try this option from Origins, which contains charcoal while leaving out unnatural ingredients like parabens, sulfates, and phthalates.
“Whenever I do makeup, a flawless finish is my ultimate goal,” Erin B. Guth, a celebrity makeup artist to stars like Zendaya and Sofia Carson, tells Teen Vogue. “This means hiding pores. And what’s my best weapon to accomplish this? “I ALWAYS prep the skin with a pore-minimizing primer.” Erin loves this waterproof option from Tarte, and applies a pearl-size amount before foundation. “The primer smoothes the appearance of pores and imperfections, and helps keep makeup in place for hours,” she says.
If you’re looking for another mask option (they just feel luxurious), Tonya Crooks, a celebrity makeup artist and brow expert, whose client list includes stars like Julia Roberts and Megan Fox, swears by Glamglow’s mud formula. “This is one of the best masks I’ve ever used for minimizing pores,” she tells Teen Vogue. “It has a great blend of acids to exfoliate dead surface cells and travels deep to really clean the pores, leaving them tight and the complexion smooth.” The brand stresses the importance of using sunscreen and limiting sun exposure after use, so try it when you’re in for the evening — and not right before a summer beach day.
Not all face treatments come from fancy skincare brands. Tonya also recommends apple cider vinegar — yep, the kind you’d find in the grocery store — for hiding pores as well. Mix it with some water to dilute the vinegar, and apply to your face with a cotton ball. “I’ve found this to be one of my favorite at-home toners for minimizing pores and clarifying the complexion,” Tonya says.
Celebrity facialist Ildi Pekar is a fan of the entire RMS Beauty line, which consists of natural makeup and skincare products made with a certified organic coconut oil base. “The coconut oil-based makeup is naturally antiseptic,” she says. “[It] will keep your pores clean and unclogged, which reduces breakouts and the appearance of large pores.” Though she loves all RMS products, the number one item she’d recommend for pore minimizing is the Raw Coconut Cream. The organic cream can be used as makeup remover, cleanser, and moisturizer — and all uses will help in hiding your pores.
There’s no doubt that primer is one of the best tools for hiding your pores, and there are plenty of options out there. But Vanessa Ungaro, a makeup artist and one half of the celebrity hair and makeup duo, Lauren+Vanessa, gravitates toward Benefit’s POREfessional. “[It] minimizes large pores, fine lines, and even minor acne scarring,” she tells Teen Vogue. “It creates a smooth base under any foundation or works well by itself. It can also be used throughout the day to combat shine.”
This product can be used at night to help clear out your pores and smooth your skin. “Formulas that contain retinol…help reduce the appearance of pores, since they encourage cellular turnover and prevent clogging,” Dr. Schlessinger says. The retinol also works to smooth out wrinkles and fine lines, and minimize dark spots — and considering it’s never too soon to combat signs of aging skin, that’s a definite bonus.
While primers are key in minimizing pores, the right foundation can also be seriously helpful. Celebrity makeup artist and beauty expert, Jo Levy, recommends this option from Tarte. “This full coverage foundation leaves skin with a demi-matte finish, smoothing over imperfections such as enlarged pores, in addition to canceling out discoloration,” she tells Teen Vogue. “Especially great for those with combination to oily skin, it helps reduce shine without making skin feel dry.” Plus, it lasts for up to 12 hours and contains a broad spectrum SPF of 15, making it great for long summer days.
If you’re looking for a quick and easy treatment (or one that’s travel-friendly), these acne pads — which are also free of things like parabens, sulfates, phthalates, and GMOs — are the perfect option. “Not only does this powerful yet gentle nightly treatment help fight the appearance of breakouts…it also contains a blend of glycolic and mandelic acids, which help reduce the look of enlarged pores,” Jo says. The treatment pads also contain salicylic acid, which helps to remove dead skin cells and brighten up your complexion over time.
Trying to squeeze out blackheads can easily damage your skin and result in brown spots if you have a deeper skin tone. Bioré's Deep Cleansing Pore Strips are a good substitute that gives instant gratification. Don't use them more than twice a week since manipulating your pores too much may make them larger over time.
Apart from retinoids, the only other ingredient that's been shown to stimulate collagen and tighten pores is glycolic acid. As an additional immediate benefit, it removes rough dead skin cells to give skin a smoother appearance. One of the most cost-effective ways to incorporate glycolic acid into your skincare regimen is to get a non-self-neutralizing glycolic acid wash, like Jan Marini Bioglycolic Facial Cleanser. The longer you leave it on, the deeper the treatment you get. After removing makeup with a gentle cleanser, apply the glycolic wash to dry skin like a mask and leave it on for 1-5 minutes before buffing it away with a clean, damp washcloth. Rinse your face thoroughly with water, and then apply moisturizer.
There are now quick-fix products that really can give you a poreless look that was previously only achievable through Photoshop. While the effect is only temporary, it's impressive. Perfekt Skin Perfecting Gel can be dabbed on any areas with enlarged pores to make them vanish, and its creamy formula is particularly good for drier skin. If your skin is oilier, it's better to choose a more strongly mattifying pore minimizer, like Dr. Brandt's Pores No More Pore Refiner.
Photo: Atralin14/15This the gold standard for keeping pores clear and skin firm over time is the retinoid family of products. Older formulations were like firewater: Skin ended up chapped, red, and raw. But newer formulations are so much better. Atralin gel is a super-hydrating combination of hyaluronic acid and prescription-strength tretinoin. Used at nighttime under moisturizer, it will keep skin smooth without causing irritation.
Photo: Courtesy of nordstrom.com15/15YSL Touche Éclat Blur Perfector
Vanessa also loves YSL’s Blur Perfector, which transforms from a balm to powder when you put it on, and can be used on its own, under your makeup, or as a touch-up throughout the day. “This compact is like an Instagram filter for your makeup bag,” Vanessa says. “It blurs any imperfections like large pores…[and] is translucent, but will create a rosy effect to your complexion.” Vanessa opts for this compact especially for clients with dry skin, as an alternative to powdering their faces every couple hours.
