How to Minimize Pores? The Abcs of Pore Shrinking

Oh dear pores: your face would be a mess without them, but, when too big, they can be kind of annoying, right? 

Enlarged pores are just like a shadow, something that stays with you all day and all night. They stare back at you when you look in the mirror and you can even feel them ruining your perfect makeup. 

Don’t get me wrong! They are kind of important too. Pores help to release sebum and have an essential role when it comes to moisturizing the skin. However, that doesn’t mean that we have to leave with big pores our whole lives. 

So, if you’re wondering how to minimize pores, I’ll share my fave tips, tricks, and even products that could help your pores go from too obvious to flawless!

Keep reading to find out!

First, why are pores so important?

Pores can be categorized into two main types: eccrine glands, which are responsible for sweat production, and sebaceous glands that secrete oil (sebum), both crucial for maintaining healthy skin. Pores are little openings in hair follicles located all over your body. Beyond being bothersome when they are too noticeable, they play a vital role in regulating your body temperature. Just imagine what would happen if you didn’t have pores! Without them, your skin would be a hot, sweaty mess, as there would be no way to release heat from your body.

Moreover, pores allow sweat and oil to escape and serve as entry points for nutrients! How do you think your skin absorbs all the products you apply if not through those openings? Proper hydration is essential not just for skin health, but also to keep your pores functioning optimally; dehydration can lead to a cycle of excess oil production.

In essence, pores enable your skin to absorb all the good things you apply while releasing sebum and sweat to help you stay cool. However, they can also absorb impurities, leading to enlarged and more visible pores.

Can you actually reduce your pore size?

Yes and no… The answer depends on the underlying causes of your enlarged pores.

Factors such as genetics, hormonal changes, skin type, and the products you're using can all contribute to larger pores. Let’s explore these factors to determine if it’s possible to minimize their appearance.

1. Genetics

It's no secret that genetics shapes our physical attributes, including pore size. If your parents had enlarged pores, the odds are you will too. However, this doesn’t mean you're helpless against it; while you can’t change predetermined size, various treatments can make them less noticeable.

2. Dead skin cells

Accumulation of dead skin cells can make your pores appear larger. If you’re not using an exfoliator to remove dead skin regularly, build-up can lead to clogged pores, enlarging them and causing acne and blackheads.

The good news is you can reduce pore visibility. Incorporate an exfoliator into your skincare routine at least twice a week. Note: If you want to find the best exfoliator for your skin type, discover more here.

3. Hormones

Hormonal fluctuations greatly influence pore size. For instance, rising testosterone levels during puberty can increase sebum production, leading to larger pores, while decreased estrogen levels during menopause can have a similar effect.

If hormonal changes are the culprit behind your enlarged pores, there may not be much you can do to alter their size; however, you can still use treatments to prevent them from becoming even larger.

4. Skin type

Your skin type significantly affects pore size. Those with oily or combination skin are more prone to enlarged pores due to larger oil glands that produce excess oil, which can clog pores.

Conversely, those with dry or sensitive skin generally have smaller pores as there’s less sebum that can block them. Consider incorporating sebum-reducing products into your routine to help tighten and minimize pore appearance.

5. Comedogenic products

Using comedogenic products can contribute to clogged and enlarged pores. Ingredients like coconut or corn oil tend to remain on the surface and accumulate, leading to blocked pores.

If you notice your pores becoming larger, check the products you're using and consider switching to a non-comedogenic skincare routine.

6. Sun exposure/heat

Excessive sun exposure not only causes skin damage but the heat can also lead to larger pores. As stated earlier, pores serve to release body heat; thus, prolonged exposure to high temperatures may cause them to appear more prominent as they work to cool you down.

To further minimize the appearance of pores, consider the following:

• Use a daily sunscreen.
• Regularly exfoliate with salicylic acid.
• Incorporate a clay mask into your routine once a week.

Additionally, lifestyle choices like smoking and poor diet can lead to skin damage and larger pores. Focus on a nutritious diet rich in antioxidants to improve skin texture.

For deeper insights on maintaining skin health and effectively managing pore size, check resources like the American Academy of Dermatology or the Skin Cancer Foundation.

How to make pores smaller? 6 Tips and tricks

Pores are like doorways into your skin. They allow things like sweat and oil to escape, but they can also let dirt and other unwanted visitors in. That's why having large pores can be problematic - they make it easier for your skin to become dirty and clogged.

Now that you know what may be causing those big, annoying pores, here is a list of my oh-so-mighty tips and tricks to treat large facial pores and not die trying! 

So, buckle up and get ready to get rid of that pizza face: 

1. Wash, wash, wash! 

Be sure to wash your face twice a day *and before and after your workouts* with a gentle cleanser. This will help to remove any dirt or makeup that could clog your pores and improve your skin health without stripping you of your body’s natural oil.

You can opt for a water cleanser alone or kick your cleansing game up a notch and perform a 2-step cleansing routine with oil-based cleansers first and then water-based cleansers. This will keep your pores clear and help reduce their size. 

Facial Cleanser

Facial Cleanser Mini Peach Punch Cleansing Water

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2. Exfoliate

Sloughing off dead skin cells will help to keep your pores clear and prevent them from becoming enlarged. 

You can use a physical exfoliator (like a scrub) or a chemical one (like an AHA or BHA serum). Just be sure not to overdo it, as too much exfoliation can actually irritate the skin and make pores look worse.

Pro tip: Exfoliate your skin 2-3x times a week! 

3. Include pore-minimizing ingredients in your routine

There are plenty of topical treatments on the market that claim to shrink pores. Here are my favorite ones: 

• Lactic and glycolic acid 

Lactic acid is an Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA) that gently exfoliates the surface of the skin, helping to remove dirt, oil, and other debris that can clog pores. 

Glycolic acid is another AHA that penetrates deeply into the pores to remove built-up sebum and dead skin cells. Both of these ingredients help to reduce the appearance of large pores and give your skin a smoother, more even texture. 

• Retinol

Retinol is a vitamin A derivative that helps to boost skin cell turnover, which in turn helps to unclog pores and reduce their appearance. This happens because the new cells are less likely to get clogged. 

Additionally, retinol can help to smooth out fine lines and wrinkles, giving your skin a more youthful appearance. 

So, retinol is basically a 2-in-1 goodie that reduces the appearance of pores and has anti-aging properties. 

• Green tea

Green tea has astringent properties that help to tighten pores and control sebum production. As a result, regular use of green tea can help to reduce pore size and improve the overall appearance of your skin. 

• Niacinamide

By regulating sebum production, niacinamide can help to reduce the size of your pores. Plus, it has tightening properties that can help to shrink the pores even more. 

• Salicylic acid

When it comes to reducing pore size, salicylic acid, a beta-hydroxy acid, is the MVP of the skincare world. 

This powerful ingredient works by dissolving the oils and debris that can clog pores and cause them to appear larger. In addition, salicylic acid helps to exfoliate the skin, preventing dead skin from building up and further enlarging pores.

4. Choose your skincare and makeup products wisely

This may seem like an obvious step, but it's actually very important. The right products can help to control excess oil production, remove impurities, and tighten pores. On the contrary, pore-clogging products can cause the openings to look bigger. 

So, choosing products for your skin type that are gentle, effective, and non-comedogenic is a great way to prevent clogged pores and nourish your skin. 

5. Go for a clay mask

Clay is known for its ability to absorb excess oil and impurities from the skin. When applied to the face, it helps to draw out all the dirt and gunk that's clogging up pores, making them appear smaller. 

In addition, clay masks also help to exfoliate the skin, getting rid of dead skin that can make pores look larger.

6. Don’t forget the sunscreen

By creating a barrier between your skin and the sun, sunscreen helps to protect your facial skin pores from becoming inflamed and enlarged. 

In addition, sunscreen can also help to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, giving you a youthful glow that is worth its weight in SPF 50.

Best pore tightening products: My top 3 picks

1. BYE BYE BLACKHEAD 30 DAYS MIRACLE GREEN TEA TOX BUBBLE CLEANSER

Formulated with 16 different kinds of tea extracts and naturally-derived BHA, this powerful cleanser will help to detoxify and exfoliate your skin, resulting in a more radiant complexion.

The ingredients in this product will unclog your pores, reducing their size! It is ideal for people with oily skin or that have acne/blackheads concerns. 

You can use it twice a day for better results. 

2. GLOW SERUM: PROPOLIS + NIACINAMIDE

This is one of my favorite pore-minimizing products! Glow Serum: Propolis + Niacinamide is the perfect solution for those with oily or acne-prone skin. Its lightweight, non-greasy formula leaves the skin feeling hydrated and looking radiant. 

Niacinamide helps to reduce sebum production while propolis works as an antibacterial agent that clears the pores and moisturizes the complexion. 

3. AHA/BHA CLARIFYING TREATMENT TONER

You already know that BHAs and AHAs are must-try ingredients that can help to reduce the appearance of pores, so there’s no wonder why this toner from COSRX is one of my favorites. 

Formulated with a potent blend of AHA, BHA, willow bark, and apple water, this toner is your one-stop shop for controlling pores. It gently melts impurities, exfoliates dead skin cells, and leaves the skin looking glowy and healthy.

Facial Toner

Facial Toner AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner

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Best treatment for large pores: Where to find it? 

Visible pores are a pain in the you-know-what, but now you have every tip and product you’ll need to reduce their size. And you know what’s the best part? You’re in the right place to find everything you need to get down to work! 

In Asian Beauty Essentials you’ll find the best pore tightening products to include in your skin care routine and get rid of those enlarged pores that are taunting you!

So, whether you have combination, acne-prone, or oily skin, you’ll find a product that suits your needs and help you with this enlarge problem *no pun intended*

Visit our shop and say bye to large pores!

Related articles: 

• Why You Should Do Double Cleanse Method: A Guide to Asian Beauty
• What Does Niacinamide Do: The Holy Grail Skin Care Ingredient
• What Does Salicylic Acid Do? Everything You Need To Know