One of the few things more frustrating than an ill-timed breakout is dealing with clogged, oversized pores. Enter: the best pore minimizers, which won't erase your pores entirely—they're an essential part of skin, after all—but incorporating them in your skin care routine can help clear them from impurities and shrink them in appearance.
Best Pore Minimizers:
“Think of your pores like pipes that connect your oil glands to the surface of your skin,” says Joshua Zeichner, MD, board-certified dermatologist and associate professor of dermatology at New York City’s Mount Sinai Hospital. “People who naturally produce more oil tend to have larger-looking pores. As the oil builds up, the pores stretch.” Dr. Zeichner also notes that as dead skin cells build up on the surface of your skin, your pores can appear more prominent in size. In short: The best way to minimize the appearance of pores is to remove excess oil and exfoliate dead cells along the way.
“There are two categories of effective products to consider when dealing with pores,” says Melissa Kanchanapoomi Levin, MD, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Entière Dermatology. The first are exfoliants that unclog the pores, which can help make them appear smaller, she says. The second are collagen-boosting products, which can help them shrink in actual size. Exfoliating ingredients, such as salicylic acid and glycolic acid, are particularly effective at lifting dirt and impurities, while retinols and peptides are used long-term to slowly increase collagen production in order to minimize the size of pores.
The process of tightening pores requires effort, of course, but the key to finding quality pore-refining skin care and makeup involves assessing a product’s active ingredients. “Look for products containing alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) acids like lactic, glycolic, and salicylic acid,” says Dr. Levin. “These acids will help with cellular turnover to keep your pores clear.” Physical exfoliants like jojoba beads can also help minimize buildup.
Additionally, pores will look much less prominent when skin is well hydrated. That's why experts also recommend looking for lightweight hydrating ingredients, like glycerin and hyaluronic acid, in a pore minimizer for an extra hit of hydration before applying your morning moisturizer.
In-office treatments that build collagen and elastin are yet another effective approach to treating XL pores. Dr. Levin notes that if you’re hoping to go beyond the topical products listed below, look into laser-resurfacing services like LaseMD Ultra or Halo. “Radiofrequency micro-needling treatments like GeniusRF, micro-focused ultrasound treatments like Ultherapy, and chemical peels also improve skin quality over time,” she says.
Bottom line: If you’re dealing with pesky, oversized pores that seem to enlarge the longer you stare in the mirror, reference our favorite pore-minimizing products below, from drugstore finds to oily-skin savers—all recommended by derms, editors, and testers.
