If you suffer from larger than average pores you know what a battle it can be to combat them. Most people don’t naturally have tight, smooth, glassy skin with non-excitant pores on their face, and if they do they should count themselves extremely lucky. So, if you are blessed with bigger pores and oily skin what can you do to tighten them up? Here are some tips.

Why do my pores look so big?

Before we get on to the good stuff, we should first address what actually causes big pores, so we can better understand what to do about them. Now, let’s discuss what pores actually are. According to Dr. Shari Marchbein, MD, “pores are the visible openings of the hair follicles to their connected oil glands.” Generally, an adult has around 20,000 of them on their face, and their size is determined by genetics. Unfortunately, this means that if your parents have large pores, chances are that you do too. However, it is possible for them to appear bigger if the collagen around them weakens due to age, sun exposure, or if they are clogged with dirt, oil and bacteria. Large pores are mainly caused by excessive sebum production, so those with oily skin have bigger pores than those with dry skin.

7 tips to reduce your pore size

Now that we have established what can cause larger pores, here are some ways to combat them. Whether it be genetics or just luck of the draw, if you have big pores there are a few things that can help dramatically. Try these 7 tips for tighter, healthier looking skin. 

1. Wash your face 2 maybe even 3 times a day: 

According to Dr. Lindsay Yeh, MD, it’s important to properly and consistently cleanse the skin. In the morning, use a gentle cleanser and lukewarm water. For the night-time, it is suggested to do a double cleanse with a cleansing oil or balm first and then follow up with the same gentle cleanser used in the morning. It may sound counterintuitive, but oil-based cleansers can help to break down clogged pores and blackheads.

2. Add an exfoliating toner into the mix: 

If you want to keep the pores minimized, using an exfoliating toner regularly is a must. When it comes to exfoliating toners, two categories of acids are common–AHAs and BHAs–both of which are effective in reducing the appearance of pores. BHAs are especially useful in dissolving oil and other debris that can obstruct pores and make them look larger.

3. Make sure what you’re using doesn’t contain pore clogging ingredients:

All the skincare steps in the world won’t matter if what you’re using has ingredients that make the situation worse. If you’re not sure what ingredients make things worse, it’s 100 percent worth it to schedule a consultation with a dermatologist. We like to use this tool here. It’s a website that can help you determine if what you’re using is counterproductive. Just copy/paste the ingredients and find out. 

4. Incorporating retinol into your regular skin care regimen is a great way to keep your pores minimized:

When the collagen in skin weakens, the lining of pores becomes more lax, resulting in enlarged pores. To rebuild the collagen and walls of pores, Dr. Marchbein recommends using a retinol product in your skincare routine. Dermatologists can supply you with a Rx retinoid, such as Tretinoin, Tazorac, or Retin-A Micro. 

5.  Let the professionals help:

Sometimes, it’s best to go the extra mile and shell out for a medical grade facial and spa treatment. This is especially true for those with extremely stubborn pores that just don’t want to cooperate. Treatments such as HydraFacials for example, enable a deeper absorption of components like glycolic and salicylic acid. These things can enhance the complexion, diminish hyperpigmentation, and make pores less visible.

6. When selecting cosmetics, make your choice carefully.

For a filtered look, try using a foundation, tinted moisturizer, or skin tint with oil-absorbing powders and blurring pigments. This will help to temporarily reduce the visibility of pores and give your skin a smooth and even appearance. 

7. Get an ice roller stat:  

Not only does the cooling sensation provide an incredible feeling on skin and reduce puffiness and redness, they can also aid in minimizing the look of large pores. While the effect is only temporary, the cold from the roller can make the pores appear smaller for a few hours.