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What Are Pores and How to Minimize Them for a Flawless Complexion

Jessie Quinn
Writer and expert4 years ago
View Jessie Quinn's profile

best products for pores

Large pores seem to be the facial characteristic so many of us just can't get rid of. You've probably tried cleansing, exfoliating and covering up your skin to minimize or mask the appearance of your pores—but they just won't shrink. Well, to help minimize your pores, you first need to understand what they are, what purpose they serve and what causes them to appear larger in the first place. Here's a brief overview of pores and some top-rated product recommendations to help you get a flawless complexion.

So, What Are Pores, Exactly?

The word "pore" literally means an opening in a surface where microscopic particles can pass. More specific to our bodies, pores are also the opening at the top of our hair follicles. It is also where the sebum (our body’s natural oils) is released to the surface to help our skin be naturally moisturized. Though their appearance can be frustrating, in actuality, when all aspects of our anatomy work in perfect harmony, pores are helpful for maintaining healthy skin—and who doesn’t want that?

Understanding a few details about pores can help you deal with them in a healthy manner and help you avoid potentially harming your skin with unnecessary products. Here are five important things to know about pores:

  1. They are actually hair follicles.
  2. Their appearance is largely determined by genetics.
  3. Environmental factors, aging, dry skin, oil and acne can all make your pores look bigger.
  4. Regular cleansing can help minimize the appearance of pores.
  5. Too much cleansing can actually cause your pores to produce more oil.

Tips and Recommendations for Minimizing Large Pores

Unfortunately, pores will never permanently shrink—meaning they're not going to get smaller than they appear in their normal, healthy state. This is because pore size is largely dependent on genetics, and pores serve an important function when it comes to healthy skin. You can, however, take steps to keep your pores clean and healthy to minimize their appearance. Some important tips to consider:

  • Keep your skin clean (cleanse once or twice per day) to remove makeup, oil, dirt and debris
  • Apply sunscreen year-round (sun damage breaks down collagen, which can lead to saggy pores)
  • Exfoliate to remove dead skin cells and unclog pores (but be gentle and don't overdo it; 1–3 times max per week is enough)
  • Choose the right products for your skin type (non-comedogenic products that won't clog pores are best)

With the last point in mind, it's so important to be strategic about what you're putting on your face. Below, you'll find Dermstore's recommendations for products to clean, shrink or lessen the appearance of your pores.

Deep Cleansers

    Jessie Quinn
    Writer and expert
    View Jessie Quinn's profile

    Jessie Quinn is a writer and editor with work published in NYLON Magazine, StyleCaster.com, Girlboss.com, Marvel.com, and more. She is a graduate of Academy of Art University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Fashion Journalism. Originally from Los Angeles, she currently resides in Brooklyn—her home for the last five years. In Jessie’s free time, you can find her creating content for her beauty blog, Hair Skin Kale, testing out DIY beauty recipes, exploring her neighborhood, or binge-watching episodes of Friends. Her background in fashion has taught her that beautiful skin never goes out of style. Follow her on Instagram.

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