Our skin’s pores work hard. Pores are tiny openings in your skin that release oil and sweat from glands, helping to keep skin moisturized and comfortable. But sometimes pores can easily become clogged and enlarged, which is where pore-minimizing products come into play. A pore minimizer can deep clean these hard-working pores, helping to minimize their appearance in the process, too. Keep reading to explore the best pore minimizers and how to properly use them.
What Causes Enlarged Pores?
Clogged pores and enlarged pores are often used interchangeably, but they are not the same thing. “Clogged pores can be the result of your glands producing too much oil,” they report. While, “lots of other things can lead to enlarged pores, including age, skin products, hair follicles, and sun damage.” Enlarged pores don’t always lead to clogged pores but it is possible to experience both circumstances simultaneously.
It’s important to note that you cannot rid yourself of your pores, you need each and every one of them! Nor can you permanently alter their size. But you can minimize their appearance with pore-minimizing products.
What Are Pore Minimizers?
“Pore minimizers refer to products that improve the overall appearance of the pores, making them appear smaller,” explains dermatologist Dr. Marisa Garshick to ELLE.com. What causes pores to become enlarged? Dr. Garshick says that oil and dead skin are two major factors that lead to clogged and enlarged pores. Using products like facial cleansers, exfoliators, and clarifying face masks can help remove impurities and naturally diminish the appearance of pores.
The Best Pore Minimizing Products
To help minimize the appearance of pores, consider adopting the following products and techniques into your daily skincare routine. And remember consistency is key: the beauty of a skincare ritual is in the practice itself. But the results can be rewarding, too.
A Pore-Minimizing Cleanser
Cleansing is so important because it can not only remove the day’s impurities, dirt, and sebum, but it can also help with the overall health and appearance of the skin. A clarifying cleanser can take it one step further, addressing and targeting excess oil and dead skin cells, thus helping with the overall appearance of pores. Cleansing twice a day is most ideal, helping to cap the beginning and end of the day with a mindful cleanse.
Try: The Matcha Cleanse
Those with enlarged pores often believe they need to over-wash their faces to rid themselves of excessive oil—but this skin-stripping step can actually do the opposite, causing the skin to produce even more oil and potentially lead to breakouts. This is where The Matcha Cleanse steps in to save the day. The refreshing watery-foam texture is packed with unique and powerful ingredients. The formula, which includes premium matcha (sourced directly from the famed Uji region in Kyoto), has been clinically proven to reduce the appearance of pores. The cleanser also has coix seed, a potent ingredient used in herbal medicines for centuries to decongest pores, and Japanese Mugwort to support the skin barrier. With continuous usage, the daily clarifying gel cleanser can purify pores without stripping the skin, while also rebalancing the skin’s natural oil production.
A Glow-Enhancing Exfoliant
There are two forms of exfoliation: physical and chemical. Physical exfoliants, like our award-winning Rice Polish, can help restore skin to a healthy-looking glow with a non-abrasive polish. Liquid exfoliants, which are similar to toners, often have a chemical acid, whether that’s AHAs, BHAs, or PHAs, or their alternatives. The inclusion of a liquid exfoliant in your ritual can help to brighten the surface of the skin, eliminate dead skin cells, and curb excess oil. It’s a personal preference which form of exfoliant you prefer, both can have pore-minimizing benefits.
Try: The Texture Tonic
This AHA-powered liquid exfoliating treatment was formulated for daily use, helps reduce excess oil and sebum, and can improve skin’s moisture levels. The formula has niacinamide to reduce the look of discoloration, and Japanese mugwort to help calm visible redness and irritation. But the formula doesn’t just work wonders on the skin, it also has emotional benefits, too. The liquid exfoliant is scented with a functional fragrance blend of sweet fennel and rosemary–two botanicals known to increase focus and mental clarity.
Try: The Rice Polish
If you prefer enzymatic exfoliation, grab a reliable and non-irritating option, like the bestselling Rice Polish. The finely ground powder of rice bran and papaya enzymes lathers to a cloud-like foam with just a few drops of water, helping to promote natural skin turnover to instantly reveal a smoothed, polished, and healthy-looking glow.
A Clarifying Mask
Weekly self-care sessions with a face mask aren’t just relaxing, they can be beneficial for the clarity of your pores. A clay mask is especially helpful in managing the appearance of pores because it helps draw out excess oil and sebum.
Try: The Clarifying Clay Mask
This pore-targeting mask harnesses Japanese konjac, volcanic ash, and Okinawa kucha clay to minimize excess oil and sebum for smoother and clearer skin in mere minutes. Each ingredient has a specialized purpose: Japanese Konjac exfoliates dead skin cells to reduce pore congestion; Japanese volcanic ash creates a natural warming sensation, helping pores open to better allow sebum, oil, and dirt to be drawn out; and Okinawa kucha clay helps to detox the skin and minimize the appearance of pores. In clinical studies, 100 percent of users noticed a reduction in sebum and noted that skin felt less oily after just a single week of usage.*
*Based on a bio-instrumentation study conducted on 40 panelists after 3 applications over 1 week.
A Broad-Spectrum Sunscreen
Using sunscreen helps minimize pores? Actually, yes. UV exposure can lead to larger pores, some studies have noted. This link is perhaps due to prolonged exposure, which decreases collagen and elastin in the skin, causing the pore openings to stretch and enlarge. Just another reason to reach for a broad-spectrum sunscreen of at least SPF 30 every single day.
Try: Silken Pore Perfecting Sunscreen SPF 35
This non-comedogenic and non-irritating sunscreen features skin-loving ingredients that not only protect the skin, but also help improve the appearance of pores, smooth skin texture, and soothe. The Silken Pore Perfecting SPF also features our beloved silk extract for a silky feel, allowing the sunscreen to apply seamlessly.
A Pore-Refining Primer
A primer with pore-minimizing ingredients can not only create a smooth canvas and mattify the skin, but it can also protect the overall health and appearance of pores. They can also create a barrier between your skin and potentially irritating makeup, shielding delicate skin from harsh and drying ingredients.
Try: The Liquid Silk Canvas
This brilliant primer is designed with skin in mind. It instantly diminishes the look of pores and fine lines, helps makeup apply better and last longer, plus shields skin from makeup and pollutants that can lead to enlarged pores and breakouts. It’s even helpful for days you don’t feel like wearing makeup, helping to protect skin from pollutants and imparting a soft-focus finish and a slight pink and gold pearlescent glow for a brightened and more even-toned appearance.
If the appearance of your pores has you feeling down, remember that we all have pores—around 20,000 on your face to be exact. They are vital to our skin and their appearance is perfectly normal. Addressing the look of pores takes consistency and time—be patient with yourself and your skin. And as always, aim to put the ‘care’ back into your daily ‘skincare’ routine.
