The bad news is that pore size is genetically determined, so you can't actually shrink pores. However, some products and treatments can minimize the appearance of pores, but none of them are permanent solutions. Pore-minimizing products work by stimulating and plumping the collagen that surrounds pores.
Glowbiotics Probiotic Acne Treatment Cleanser
As our experts both recommend, products with salicylic acid can do wonders for your larger-looking pores. Fernandez says it's "a must-have for acne" because of the 2% salicylic acid concentration, which exfoliates, unclogs pores, and gets rid of acne-inducing bacteria.
Apply a facial pore cleanser with salicylic acid nightly. "It's a beta hydroxy acid that has increased solubility in oil and can travel deep within pores," Dr. Feely says. You can also talk to your dermatologist about a stronger in-office chemical peel to further clear out pores.
Apple cider vinegar is known to cleanse the skin and also shrink the pores. It acts as a toner and tightens your skin. In a bowl, dilute 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar with 1 tablespoon of water. Using your fingertips, massage this solution on the enlarged pores and let it dry naturally.
If you suddenly see the pores getting bigger on, for example, your nose, it's the sebum glands in the pores on your nose which have been working overdrive 24-hour shifts. With all this extra sebum to bag up, your pore will eventually begin to lose elasticity aka your pore size will stretch.
Baking soda does little to remove the material that clogs your pores and lead to blackheads. Oftentimes, we forget what blackheads are made of: dead skin and sebum (oil). You can find a more appropriate treatment method by keeping these components in mind.
extreme stress. poor skin care habits (such as not washing your face twice a day, or wearing oil-based makeup) dry skin (ironically, having dry skin can make pores more noticeable due to an increase in sebum production and accumulation of dead skin cells on the surface of your skin)
Retinol promotes skin cell turnover and unclogs pores.
Retinol helps with blackheads and whiteheads and evens skin tones. Studies show that applying retinol cream reduces pore size and keeps them cleaner, emptying the impurities that otherwise give an oversized appearance.
One of these organic acids, acetic acid, has been shown to be effective in inhibiting bacterial growth and destroying bacterial biofilms . Based on its antimicrobial properties, apple cider vinegar may help to reduce acne breakouts when used as part of a daily skin care routine.
Laser Treatments
Several treatments are available at Dermatology and Laser Centre. Fractional ablative laser skin resurfacing decreases the appearance of pores and acne scars. For enlarged pores, Dr. Gallacher uses the Vbeam laser as well as fractionated CO2 lasers.
Most serious potential: Long-term, undiluted ACV use could corrode your lovely face due to its highly acidic levels. Vinegar can be caustic if you leave it on your skin, and it shouldn't be used to treat wounds. Any acne sores are at risk for incurring a burn or major irritation.
Antioxidants like vitamin C, retinols, and exfoliating acids are all key ingredients in pore-minimizing serums because they can unclog congested pores, clear dead skin, and reduce excess sebum.
Using aloe vera gel can help to deal with open pores and also reduce the large sized pores on face, nose and cheeks. Aloe vera gel helps to deep cleanse your skin and also closes the pores. Take some fresh aloe vera gel and apply on the face. Massage your face with fresh aloe vera gel and leave it for some time.
Hyaluronic acid serum tightens skin and minimizes pores so they shrink and become invisible over time. Smaller pores mean fewer clogs and breakouts.
SkinCeuticals Retinol 0.5 Refining Night Cream
"The sun breaks down your skin's collagen, which is responsible for keeping your face firm and elasticized, so you're left with larger pores and stretchier skin after repeat exposure," says Rachel Nazarian, M.D., a dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology in New York.
The fact is, most topical retinoid serums tend to contain higher concentrations of the active ingredient. They also tend to be light to the touch and rarely leave behind a sticky residue. So in that case, it does appear that a serum is the “better” choice over a topical retinoid cream.
The white stuff that comes out of your pores like thin strings when you squeeze your nose is called a sebaceous filament. It's mostly made up of sebum (oil that your skin produces) and dead skin cells. This substance typically collects in pores around your nose and chin.
Are Pore Vacuums Effective at Clearing Pores and Blackheads? In short, yes. “Pore vacuums certainly can be an effective tool in helping to regularly clear pore congestion, however they're not essential component to a skincare routine,” says Dr. Reszko.