Pro Tips & Tricks On How To Make Large Pores 'Disappear’

via Giphy

OK, so you can’t make your pores disappear – and you wouldn’t actually want to. After all, the lil’ guys are responsible for keeping your skin moisturized and healthy. Harmless as they are, though, we totally understand the frustration of dealing with large pores. For starters, they can cause makeup to settle in weird ways and can even increase the likelihood of pimples.

Certain lifestyle, skincare, and makeup habits can make pores look larger, such as not getting enough hydration, foregoing your sun protection, and not cleansing routinely. We asked a makeup artist, a dermatological nurse, and an esthetician to share their best tips on how to make large pores take a back seat.

1. Get That H20

via Giphy

To help minimize pores, begin your morning with a refreshing glass of water and make sure you’re stocked through the day. “I can’t stress enough how important drinking water is for our skin – not even a $1,500 cream could help us if we are dehydrated!” says Natalie Aguilar, a dermatological nurse and celebrity esthetician. “When skin is dehydrated it appears dull and lackluster, and pores seem larger as do fine lines and wrinkles.”

She adds that dehydrated skin also sends a signal to release more sebum, which can make pores seem larger, too. Having a hydrated body means hydrated, plump skin with tighter, smaller-looking pores. If you struggle to drink water, try the following:

2. Deep Clean Your Pores Regularly

Think of your pores as an expandable bag. The more stuff inside, the bigger the shape becomes. Cleansing is super crucial in the fight against large pores. “When pores are filled with dead skin, excess oil, and dirt, they look bigger,” explains Morgan Rackley, a celebrity esthetician and owner of Luminous Skin Atlanta.

“On the other hand, when they are clean, they will appear smaller.” Make a habit of keeping your pores clean. You can do so in a few ways:

A balance of all the above can really help make pores look smaller but remember that moderation is key.

3. Use Powder as Your Makeup Primer & Finisher

via Giphy

Makeup primer is a big player when it comes to minimizing large pores, but have you ever considered using loose powder versus a traditional option? Professional makeup artist Gisele Ayora swears by this trick, especially for those with oily skin.

“Applying powder as a primer before foundation absorbs excess oil, minimizes the appearance of the pores, and leaves a smooth base for foundation application,” she says. “With a large fluffy brush, apply loose translucent powder on your whole face, then apply foundation.”

You can use another sweep of loose powder on your face after you’ve finished applying makeup. If you want that glow-y versus matte look, apply a cream blush and liquid highlighter over the face powder. We. love the Huda Beauty Easy Bake Loose Baking & Setting Powder, $35, which comes in nine shades.

4. Try ‘Cryotoning’

You know how a blast of cold water can help your hair look shiny after washing? The cold can also help make your pores look smaller. 

“When cold is applied to the skin it has a draining, decongesting, soothing, and firming effect,” says Aguilar. “The cold sensation is picked up by receptors in the skin, causing a chill ‘goose bump’-like phenomenon, which stimulates the nerve cells in the skin and has a tightening effect on the epidermis, making skin look tighter and pores smaller.”

Cryo Sticks or ice globes – like Tarte Cosmetics Pack Your Bags Face Globe, $15 – are a great way to achieve this effect. Just pop them in the fridge (not the freezer!) and dip in a bowl of ice water for 10 minutes before using. As an alternative, rinse with icy cold water after cleansing your face. Aguilar recommends cryotoning your skin in the mornings before makeup.

5. Call Your Esthetician

via Giphy

If you’re seeking more of a long-term solution, hit up your esthetician. There are a handful of effective, in-office treatment options that can help reduce the appearance of large pores. Those include:

Lasers & Microneedling: As we get older, skin loses laxity and droops, which can cause pores to look stretched and larger than they were years prior. Lasers and microneedling are two options that can help by promoting collagen production, says Rackley. (FYI: Being faithful to your anti-aging products, including sunscreen and retinoids, can help prevent premature aging.)

Chemical Peels: Professional chemical peels have higher concentrations of acids compared to at-home solutions, which means more bang for your buck. They can help resurface the skin and promote smaller-looking pores.

Injectable Filler: In some cases, a singular pore may stretch out from a large, cyst-like pimple. This stretching can be permanent, but the tiniest touch of filler in the pore can smooth it over instantly.

Did you know about these five pore-related myths?

Disclaimer: Every product we review has been independently selected and tested without bias by our editorial team. Although some brands allow affiliate links, we never take payment to review products, so we may earn a commission if you purchase a product by clicking on one of our links.