Love them or hate them, pores aren’t going to completely disappear off your face, and a good thing too as we need them. It’s estimated that we (as fully grown adults) have around 5 million pores on our bodies, with 20,000 on our faces alone, and if we have that many, we’ve got to assume it’s for good reason.
Pores are small holes in the skin’s surface that contain a hair follicle and sebaceous gland. They help to release a natural oil, known as sebum, to keep the skin moisturised, help sweat escape to keep the body cool, and can grow one shaft of hair. Sometimes actual hair, sometimes peach fuzz. But just because we can’t live without them, doesn’t mean we want to live with them either. While wiping them entirely from your face might not be possible, making them appear smaller is totally possible and here’s how to, along with our most recommended pore minimising products.
Cleanse Twice a Day
When pores become clogged, they tend to look bigger than they actually are as they’re full of dirt, bacteria, and oil. To prevent large pores on the face, cleansing your skin twice a day, morning and night, will help to clear congested skin.
Try: SkinCeuticals Simply Clean 200ML - £35.00
SkinCeuticals Simply Clean cleanser reaches deep within the pores to remove impurities without stripping the skin of its natural moisture, making it safe for everyday use and all skin types. It features a lightly exfoliating hydroxy acid blend with botanical extracts, including chamomile and aloe vera.
Remove Excess Sebum from The Surface of the Skin
If your skin produces excess sebum, you’re way more likely to have bigger pores as they clog up with oil faster than regular skin types, so removing extra sebum that’s just hanging out on your skin will help to get rid of clogged pores if it’s not there to clog them in the first place.
Try: ZO Skin Health Oil Control Pads – Please Get In Touch
Simply swipe ZO Skin Health Oil Control Pads over every inch of your face to reduce the appearance of pores by removing unwanted surface oils on the go or at home. The travel-friendly pads are pre-soaked with 2% salicylic acid, mandelic glycolic, and rosa canina fruit extract. They can also be used to help treat acne and exfoliate the skin.
Try: IMAGE Skincare Clear Cell Restoring Serum - £59.00
Sweeping up excess oils on the surface of the skin has never been easier with IMAGE Skincare Clear Cell Restoring Serum. The oil-free formula features a vitamin B6 derivative to minimise large pores on the face, slowing down sebum production to clear congested skin. It’s ideal for acne-prone skin types and helps restore the skin’s natural balance and soothe inflammation.
Stock Up on Clay Masks
Clay-based masks can get rid of clogged pores and minimise their appearance by attracting and absorbing toxins from the skin. Think of them as a dirt magnet lifting debris right out of your soon-to-be clogged pores. Apply a clay mask 1-2 times a week to tighten those pores back up.
Try: Dermaceutic Mask 15 - £43.20
Oily skin is instantly mattified and left smooth to the touch with highly absorbent clay, glycolic acid, and bentonite, while an AHA acid accelerates exfoliation by destroying the links that hold dead skin cells together to clear congested skin.
Get Obsessed with SPF
Like, obsessed. Sun-damaged skin and large pores on the face go hand in hand. Prolonged exposure to UV rays breakdown collagen and elastin in the skin, causing it to lose volume and elasticity. This deflates the skin, making it sag and pull at the pores expanding their size. Oh, and there’s the whole skin cancer thing if pores and premature ageing are NBD to you.
Try: SkinCeuticals Mineral Matte UV Defense SPF30 30ML - £36.00
Protecting you from UVA and UVB rays, SkinCeuticals Mineral Matte UV Defense SPF30 will minimise clogged pores on the face, sweat, and shine with an oil-absorbing formula that can withstand even the hottest of temps. You can even ditch the makeup you usually use to reduce the appearance of pores as it has a beautiful tint to smooth over imperfections without feeling heavy on the skin.
Heavy Moisturisers Are a No-Go
Another reason for clogged pores that lead to gigantic face craters? Greasy, heavy moisturisers that sit on top of the skin attracting double the dirt and bacteria, which then goes on to fill up the pores.
Try: SkinCeuticals Daily Moisture 60ML - £59.00
This daily moisturiser by SkinCeuticals is one of the best pore minimising products as it’s a super lightweight, quick-absorbing formula. Featuring a squad of skin-saving ingredients, including 7 botanical extracts and 3 nutrient-rich algae extracts, for long-lasting moisture, hydration, and health.
