First things first: Pores are normal! They’re part of your skin that serve an important purpose. But, of course, we understand that doesn’t mean you’re always gonna love them.
If that’s the case for you (hi, same), the good news is there are a few things you can do to help minimise their appearance. The great news is I’ve thrown them down in this article just for you. And the bad news is I’ve already finished Stranger Things season four and need a new show to binge. Recommendations welcome! But in the meantime, let’s talk pores.
Regular Exfoliation
Remember, we’re talking about minimising the appearance of pores here, not actually changing the size. The size of your pores can’t be changed (annoying but true), but a few good skin habits can help them appear as if they have. This is where exfoliation comes in. Consistent exfoliation is the key to keeping pores clear, and clear pores are far less noticeable than ones that are full of congestion. Which, helpfully, brings me to my next tip..
Remove Your Makeup Thoroughly
Even if you’ve had a long day at work. Even if it’s 3AM and you’ve had a few too many Negronis. Even if you only slapped on a light layer of tinted moisturiser and you think it’s baaaasically all gone anyway. It’s not! Removing your makeup matters. Because if you don’t, any remnants of makeup, (ahem, along with the rest of the grime, pollution, sweat, and anything else that’s made its way onto your face during the day) will cause build-up and make your pores more visible. (Build up is also a common cause of breakouts and dullness, so there are plenty of reasons to try and avoid it, tbh.)
Incorporate Targeted Ingredients In Your Routine
The best way to pick your products is to figure out what your top skin concerns are and then hunting down products that will help you treat those. So! If you want to start targeting enlarged pores here are a few ingredients you can look out for:
Vitamin A: Crowd-fave retinol - and other retinoids - fall within this category. Vit a is brilliant for increasing cell turnover and reigning in excess oil (which can clog your pores).
Clover Flower Extract: A natural pore minimizer designed to rebalance skin issues that cause enlarged pores. It does this by preserving the skin barrier and helping to regulate excess sebum production. Clover! Wait, no, clever!
Salicylic Acid: BHAs (like salicylic!) are fantastic for refining skin texture and giving your skin a real thorough clear-out.
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