First, let’s talk about what pores are. “Pores are the visible openings of the hair follicles to their connected oil glands,” says Dr. Marchbein. And unfortunately, “their size is genetically determined.” Which means, unfortunately, you can’t do much about their predetermined size. That being said, they can look larger if the collagen around them weakens (from, say, age, sun exposure, or picking at your skin) or if they become clogged with dirt, oil, and bacteria. “Those with oily skin tend to have larger pores than those with dry skin,” says Dr. Akhavan, adding that “large pores are mainly caused by excessive sebum production.”
And although you can’t actually get rid of your pores (remember, you can’t live without them) or permanently change their size (you’d need a new set of DNA for that), you can minimize their appearance to a degree with certain at-home products and in-office procedures. Keeping scrolling for 16 best ways to make your pores appear smaller as well as the best pore-minimizing products and treatments to try.
Let’s get something straight: You cannot “erase” or “eliminate” your pores. Love them or hate them, pores are a structural layer of your skin that will always be there. If you want to know how to minimize pores though, we’ve got you covered—just keep your expectations realistic. No masks or strip is going to “eradicate” your pores or remove all blackheads unless they take off a layer of your skin, this won’t happen.
But all hope isn’t lost: You can focus your attention on unclogging and tightening your pores, which in turn, will make them appear smaller. There are a handful of skincare products and dermatologist-approved tips to get out all the gunk and make your pores look less noticeable. Lucky for you, we’ve meticulously laid out how to minimize your pores ahead.
Keeping scrolling for 7 best ways to make your pores appear smaller as well as the best pore minimizing products and treatments to try.
Pore minimizing tip #1: Be diligent about washing your face.
“Not cleaning your skin properly can lead to additional buildup and worsen the appearance of pores,” says Dr. Yeh. In the morning, wash with a gentle cleanser and lukewarm water, and before bed, try a double cleanse with a cleansing oil or cleansing balm first and then follow up with the same gentle cleanser that you used in the morning. It made sound counterintuitive, but “oil-based cleansers effectively remove makeup and also help break down clogged pores and blackheads,” says Dr. Yeh. Check out one of the four top-rated options here.
Pore minimizing tip #2: Don’t forget to wash your face before and after working out too.
Your pores are surrounded by blood vessels and can dilate with heat and sweating and therefore become more open and visible, says Dr. Marchbein. This makes it especially important to wash your face both before and after exercising so that makeup, dirt, and bacteria don’t get trapped inside your dilated pores. There is an upside though: Once you’ve washed the loosened debris and oil from your face, your open pores will allow for slightly deeper delivery of the topical medications and skincare products you apply afterward.
Pore minimizing tip #3: Choose your face makeup wisely
Facts: The right foundation, tinted moisturizer or skin tint specifically one with oil absorbing powders and/or blurring pigments—can help temporarily minimize the appearance of your pores. It’s the perfect quick-fix for moments when you want your skin to have a super-smooth, filtered effect in seconds.
Pore minimizing tip #4: Get a professional chemical peel.
In office chemical peels with exfoliating acids (like glycolic acid, salicylic acid, and lactic acid) and/or retinoids are clutch when it comes to minimizing the appearance of pores and uneven skin texture. These peels aren’t exactly cheap (expect to spend anywhere from $250 to $600 depending on where you live), but the skin smoothing results are impressive.
Chemical peels are customizable too—the intensity of your treatment can be adjusted based on your skin type, skin goals, and how much downtime you’re willing to have (more intensity = more recovery time post-peel).
Pore minimizing tip #5: Consider a skin tightening treatment.
Not only do skin tightening treatments like radio frequency and ultrasound make your skin look super smooth and firm, they help minimize pore size too. These non-invasive treatments use heat energy to create a controlled injury to your skin, which, in turn, prompts collagen and elastin production. The result? Fresher, newer, tighter skin with noticeably smaller looking pores. Skin tightening treatments take time to work though, so don’t expect any overnight miracles. Most results kick in a few weeks post-treatment and last for around six months.
Pore minimizing tip #6: Use Acids.
Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), like glycolic acid, and beta hydroxy acids (BHAs), such as salicylic acid, are the holy grail of ingredients when it comes to penetrating and “cleaning out” your pores. “AHAs and BHAs dissolve the connections between your cells and the surface of your skin to essentially ‘unclog’ pores,” says dermatologist Joshua MD(opens in new tab), board-certified dermatologist director of cosmetic and clinical research at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City.
While both types of acids exfoliate on a cellular level, AHAs work on the surface layer of your skin to brighten and smooth (making them more tolerable for skin that’s dry and sensitive). At the same time, BHAs penetrate deeper to remove dead skin cells clogged in pores, which makes them ideal for oily or acne prone skin.
Just a reminder: Acids make your skin more sensitive to the sun, so make sure to wear sunscreen every day.
Pore minimizing tip #7: Mask weekly.
Good news! Your self-care masking sessions can actually be beneficial for minimizing your pores. Dr. Marchbein says that clay and charcoal masks help to draw out buildup, bacteria, and oil—basically all the stuff that clogs pores and expands their size. Just like exfoliation, the effects of masking are only temporary, though, so these treatments need to be repeated at least weekly to maintain results.
How to Minimize Your Pores.
Pore size is genetically determined, so there’s a certain amount you can’t change. However, you can unclog your pores and generally make them retreat to where you see them as little as possible. So, even though you can’t do much about the pores themselves, you can minimize their appearance until everybody’s like Pores.
