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Who doesn’t want flawless, porcelain skin with no pores? The truth is, if you have visible pores, there is technically no way to change the size, but you can greatly minimize their appearance with these techniques and treatments.

Why are my pores large?

Larger pores are generally related to the amount of oil your skin produces, and to genetics. You do WANT oil production, but it’s important to keep that oil production on your face to a normal level. If there is an overabundance of oil, your pores will look larger, and it can increase their size over time, if it is not regulated. This is why good skin care cannot begin too early in life!

SKIN CARE TO MINIMIZE PORES

The most important step to minimizing pores – minimizing their appearance – is regular skin care.

  • Find a great cleanser, and gently wash your face morning and night.
  • Use a moisturizer for oily or combination skin types, one that keeps your skin hydrated, without adding too much oil.
    • Skin Obsession is a great company, with low-cost effective products. Their BALANCING FACIAL OIL, will keep your skin hydrated and help normalize over-production of oil.
  • Use a clay mask 1-2 times a week. Clay will naturally remove excess oil, as well as toxins, and help balance oil production.

BAKING SODA TO MINIMIZE PORES

As well as proper skin care, one of the best things I have found to minimize pores, is a regular application of baking soda. It will clean the excess oil and bacteria out of the pores, and allow them to shrink. It’s also great if you have regular breakouts, because it kills bacteria.

How to use Baking Soda to minimize pores:

  • First, splash your clean face with fresh water.
  • Then, take about 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda, ( I like BOB’S RED MILL from Thrive Market).
  • USING ONLY THE PINKY AND THIRD/RING FINGER, gently spread the baking soda around your face for about 20 seconds. AVOID THE EYES AND EYE AREA.
  • Finally, rinse well and wash with a gentle cleanser.

I find this easy to do in the shower in the morning. Keep a little, water-proof, plastic jar of baking soda in the bathroom.

CLAY MASKS TO MINIMIZE PORES

Using a mask is one of the least remembered skin care tip for minimizing pores. Clay is well known for its absorbent, healing, and detoxifying properties. Studies show that animals even eat clay to absorb toxins from the food they eat. You can purchase very inexpensive clay, like AZTEC SECRETS: INDIAN HEALING CLAY. I also love FRESH: UMBRIAN PURIFYING TREATMENT BAR from Sephora. It’s a clay pressed into a bar shape, and is excellent for traveling.

How to use a clay mask to minimize pores:

  • Clean and gently dry your skin.
  • Spread a thin layer of the mask over the skin, *avoiding the eye area.
    • *This is the area inside the bones – or orbital ridges – around your eyes.
  • Leave the mask on for 5 to 20 minutes.
    • Do not allow the mask to dry on the face, this can break down the collagen fibers under your skin and causing wrinkling. You can avoid drying by spritzing the mask with clean water.
  • Soak a hand towel in hot water, then wring it out. Place the cloth in a clockwise motion over the mask for 30 seconds, pressing gently.
  • Now, using the hand towel, gently wipe away the mask, USING ONLY THE PINKY AND THIRD/RING FINGER.
  • Rinse the excess mask off with plenty of clean, warm water.
 If you have time, soak a hand towel in hot water, wring it out, then lie down and wrap it over your facial mask, in a clockwise motion, leaving your nose free to breathe. Relax for 5 minutes. The warmth will help the clay penetrate while it absorbs excess oil, toxins, and impurities.

Now is the time to apply specialized serums or treatments!

  • An excellent, homemade, skin serum, using therapeutic essential oils, will penetrate and improve the skin from the inside out. Simply add one drop each of lavender, rose, and geranium essential oils to a dropper full of Argan Oil. Apply it to the face and neck, avoiding the eye area. Trader Joe’s carries Argan Oil, and it’s quite inexpensive. Another excellent source is JOSIE MARAN ARGAN OIL from Sephora.

PRODUCTS FORMULATED TO MINIMIZE PORES

Now we come to the last section, products you can use to help minimize those pores. There are probably hundreds on the market, but they are not all the same.

Some products are formulated to basically ‘spackle’ – or fill in – the pores, to make them appear smoother.

Fill-type products:

  • Benefit: THE POREFESSIONAL I tried this product, and although it did fill-in the large pores, as well as make a smoother base for applying make-up and powder, I felt that it actually left my pores appearing larger once it was washed off.
  • DR BRANDT: PORES NO MORE Again, I liked the way this seemed to make the pores appear smaller, as well as provide a smooth make-up base. I felt like the pores actually looked better after a few weeks. It contains Tea Tree, a popular and effective product in skin care, especially for those with oily skin.

Other products are formulated to tighten and shrink the pores. WITCH HAZEL is the number one, least expensive product you can use to minimize pores. Many companies have taken advantage of its excellent, pore-minimizing effect.

Shrink and tighten type products:

  • CAUDALIE: VINOPURE MINMIZING SERUM. This product uses salicylic acid, a popular cosmetic ingredient used for years in the battle against oily skin and acne. As the name Implies, it is an acid, and it will cause the skin to peel. It can be irritating to sensitive skin.
  • MARIO BADESCU: WITCH HAZEL & ROSEWATER TONER. A classic Witch Hazel, with naturally moisturizing rose oil and rosewater.
  • THAYERS WITCH HAZEL MIST. Another inexpensive product made from Witch Hazel, in mist form! It also includes naturally moisturizing rose.

ADDITIONAL PRODUCTS TO HELP MINIMIZE PORES

Almost everyone has blotted the oil off their skin to remove that unappealing, oily, shine. It’s actually also a very effective way to minimize the amount of oil clogging and stretching your pores.

PALLADIO RICE PAPER TISSUE, has been around for years. It’s a very effective and low cost blotting paper. Keep them handy and blot your face several times a day.

Sephora carries several types of blotting paper. I recommend finding one in your price range, and trying it out for a few days. If it causes you irritation, Sephora has a great return policy

SHISEIDO: OIL CONTROL BLOTTING PAPERS are also excellent. They are very well-known for quality skin care products. The blotting papers absorb oil, and leave a microscopic film of very fine, transluscent powder on the skin. I love to indulge myself with these!

Now you know the techniques to minimize your pores! By taking care of your skin, regular masking, and using products designed to normalize oil, and shrink pores, you will be doing everything in your power to keep those pores to a minimum!

By morwennallewelyn