How To Minimize Your Pores

Pores become enlarged when there is a buildup of dead skin or oil inside and around your pores. This buildup enlarges your pores because it’s filling them up instead of allowing them to constrict. Imagine clogged drains. If you don’t clean them, the dirt builds up and clogs your drain, causing more harm than good. Therefore like clogged drains, you’ll have to clean your pores, which will allow moisture to circulate through them.

To minimize your pores, you first have to clean them out. Try using Beauté Claire Skin Medic if you have pores that are prone to acne. Refer to the article on “How To Get Rid Of Remove Blackheads”.

Some tricks to further minimize your pores include:

• Exfoliating
• Getting facials
• Getting microdermabrasion treatments
• Using pore minimizing creams or gels
• Using primer and toner
• Applying makeup to minimize the appearance of large pores

Exfoliate
Make sure to exfoliate your skin at least once a week! This will remove the dead skin cells that have accumulated in your pores. Use a soft, gentle exfoliate that will not damage your skin, and be careful not to over exfoliate. Over-exfoliating will cause skin irritation, increase skin sensitivity, and dryness. In some cases, instead of minimizing your pores it has the opposite effect. My favorite exfoliator is Philosophy Micro-Massage exfoliating wash, which is gentle and mild enough for daily use. But, since it’s so expensive I tend to use it on a weekly basis. My daily exfoliator, which I use in the shower, is St. Ives Invigorating Apricot Scrub.

Retail $37 at Sephora	Retail $3 at drug stores

Facials
Facials are a great way to get a clear complexion and a nice glow. They offer deep cleaning that will exfoliate your clogged pores, extract blackheads, and get rid of acne. However, make sure your skin care specialist is a professional because everyone has different skin types and thus needs different care. It will be up to your esthetician to determine the right treatment and ingredients that will help your specific skin type and problems. Not only that, a facial helps increase blood circulation and stimulate skin regeneration. Additionally, facials are a great preventative method to avoid wrinkles and skin dehydration.

Microdermabrasion
Microdermabrasion is a non-invasive and non-chemical procedure that removes dead skin cells that clog the pores by roughening up the skin, thereby reducing the appearance of pores. While microdermabrasion performed by a professional can stimulate collagen production, it can be quiet costly. Most people like myself opt for the home microdermabrasion kits. I use Origins Modern Friction Nature’s Gentle Dermabrasion. I love this microdermabrasion and only use it once-twice a week because it is very effective in minimizing my pores and making my skin super soft.

Retail $36 at Origins

Creams
Regular use of pore-minimizing creams will keep your pores clear and less oily. This will reduce the appearance of your enlarged pores and make them appear smaller. Try Clinique’s Pore Minimizer Thermal-Active Skin Refiner or for a more affordable cream that still works try ROC Pore Minimizing Cream.

Retail $27.50 at any Clinique counter	Retail $8 at most drug stores

Primer
Face primers are not only great in smoothing out the skin, they also help makeup stay on longer, and they’re great at hiding your enlarged pores. My two favorite primers have worked wonders on my pores and kept my face matte all day: Too Faced Primed & Poreless Skin Smoothing Face Primer and L’Oreal Paris Studio Secrets Professional Secret No.1 Magic Perfecting Base. These two primers works great if you have combination to oily skin. If you have dry skin, I recommend Shiseido Refining Makeup Primer or MAC Prep + Prime Face Protect SPF50.

Retail $30 at Sephora	Retail $12.99 at Ulta
Retail $30 at any Shiseido counter	Retail $30 at MAC

Makeup
Using a water-based, oil-free foundation is best for hiding enlarged pores. Apply only a small amount of foundation or else you might make your pores appear visibly larger. Personally, I just use mineral powder makeup since it does not clog my pores, is not heavy, and works better in minimizing pores than liquid foundation.

If you have any suggestions on how to minimize your pores, I would love to hear therm. Or if you recommend a cheaper product that works, please let me know. I’m always up for saving money!