How to Shrink Pores

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Last Updated: June 17, 2021 Tested

Pores don't open or close, so there is no way of shrinking them, but you can definitely make them appear to be smaller. Pores are difficult to see when your skin is healthy, but when they become clogged, they appear much larger. Read on for four methods for making your pores look smaller: exfoliation, use of a facial mask, special treatments and pore-concealing makeup.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Exfoliate

1
Use a makeup remover. Buildup from makeup is often responsible for clogging pores. The first step in the exfoliation process is to remove it.^{[1]
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- Try to find a natural makeup remover, if possible. The chemicals in many makeup removers can dry out your skin, causing it to flake and increasing the need for exfoliation.
2
Cleanse your face with warm water. There's no need to use any special facial cleanser to unclog your pores. In fact, soaps, perfumes and other ingredients might actually exacerbate the problem by inflaming your skin.^{[2]
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- Make sure the water is warm, not hot. Again, reddening and inflaming the skin is not necessary, and not good for reducing the appearance of pores.
- Pat your face dry with a soft towel. Don't scrub it, or you may damage your skin, which is more sensitive on your face than other parts of your body.
3
Use an exfoliant. Exfoliating skin removes dead skin cells and oils that clog your pores. Consider these different types of exfoliants, and use one as often as needed:^{[3]
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American Academy of Dermatology
Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists

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- A dry facial brush. Buy a small, soft brush made with natural fibers and use it to gently brush your face. Your face and the brush should both be dry. Use swift, short strokes to brush away flakes around your eyes, cheeks and chin.
- Use an exfoliating product. Many creams, gels and cleansers come mixed with small particles that exfoliate the skin. Use these sparingly, since the other ingredients may inflame your skin.
- Make your own facial scrub. Sugar, honey and green tea can go a long way toward making your skin glow. These ingredients are gentle on your skin and shouldn't cause inflammation.^{[4]
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After you're finished exfoliating, apply a light moisturizer or facial oil, like rose hip oil. This will keep your skin from getting dried out and irritated, helping to reduce the appearance of pores.^{[5]
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Harvard Medical School
Harvard Medical School's Educational Site for the Public

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Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Use a Clay Mask

Using the cleansing method outlined above, remove your makeup, splash your face with warm water, and pat it dry with a towel.
^{[6]
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Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

Go to source} Apply the mask to a small patch on your face. Let it sit for a few minutes and then remove it. If the area looks red or inflamed, don't use the mask. If not, go ahead with the next step.
3
Apply the mask. Masks pull dirt from your pores and reduce inflammation of the surrounding skin, helping to make the pores appear smaller.
- Clay masks are ideal for this purpose, but any natural facial mask will work fine. Try making your own mask with yogurt.^{[7]
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- Smooth the mask over your face, concentrating in the areas where your pores appear large.
- Allow the mask to stay on your face for about fifteen minutes, or the length of time specified on the package.
Use warm water to gently rinse the mask away. Pat your face dry with a soft towel. Your face should appear fresh, with smaller-looking pores.

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Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Use Special Treatments

1
Use alpha hydroxy or beta hydroxy acids, known as chemical exfoliants.^{[8]
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Research source} These are available for purchase from beauty stores, and they exfoliate your skin without you having to scrub it.
- Starting with a clean face, apply the product and allow it to sit for fifteen minutes, or the time specified on the package.
- Wash the substance away and pat your face dry with a soft towel.
- Don't leave the substance on for too long or it could irritate your skin.
2
Consider blackhead removal. Most beauty advice suggests not to actively remove blackheads, and it certainly shouldn't be done often. However, but if they are noticeable and excessive, it is okay to do this now and then.
- First exfoliate the blackhead.^{[9]
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  Research source} Then use a sterile wipe on the area. Roll skin around the blackhead into a small mound and with tissue wrapped around your fingers to prevent the spread of bacteria, gently squeeze the blackhead until it leaves the skin.
- Alternatively there are blackhead removal tools. Always make sure you wear mini finger gloves or wrap tissue around your fingers to prevent the transfer of bacteria.
This professional treatment removes a layer of the skin to deeply exfoliate.^{[10]
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Research source} This treatment is usually expensive and can damage your skin if done too often.

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Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Pore-Concealing Makeup

Your skin needs to stay hydrated to prevent it from becoming irritated and inflamed, which makes your pores look larger. A layer of moisturizer also protects your skin from irritating chemicals contained in other makeup products.
This is the first layer of makeup you put on your skin after moisturizing. It blends with your skin tone and evens the texture of your skin, causing your pores to look smaller.^{[11]
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3
Use a concealer. Concealer adds another layer of color and texture and can completely mask the surface of your skin, depending on the brand you choose.^{[12]
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- If your pores are large in appearance, you may be tempted to cake on the makeup. Concealer is helpful in small doses, but using a lot of it may call even more attention to areas you're trying to conceal.
- Choose your brand wisely. Concealer can clog pores and make them appear to look big. Make sure your concealer isn't actually making the problem worse before you include it in your daily regimen.
- Remove your makeup every night. Make sure you take it off before you go to sleep so you wake up with unclogged pores.
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Community Q&A

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Question

My best friend has beautiful clear skin and I am looked at as the "ugly one". I just want to be pretty for once and get a perfect boyfriend. How do I do this?

Community Answer

It's more than likely that large pores are hereditary. It's normally those that inherit oily skin that tend to have larger pores, as they need a bigger opening to release oil. There are quick fixes for shrinking pores, such as applying ice or a cold compress to the affected area, or pore-filling primers (NYX, Benefit Pore-Fessional). However, I don't think there are any long term solutions to shrinking pores permanently. Embrace them, you're still pretty!

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Is there an easy way to remove blackheads?

Beauty777

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There is no guarantee that this will work for you, but I find that using a grainy facial cleanser, such as a charcoal mask always helps remove my blackheads.

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Is it okay to shrink clogged pores?

Alanna Suzanne Snyder

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No, as this will more than likely cause acne as the dirt and oils in your pores build up.

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Tips

Drink a lot of water and eat your veggies.^{[13]
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University of Wisconsin Health
Integrated healthcare system of the University of Wisconsin focused on treating and providing support to patients and public health initiatives

Go to source} Making lifestyle choices that are healthy for skin will reduce inflammation in your face.

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After washing your face with warm water, rinse with cold water. Warm water opens your pores so bacteria and dirt can get into your skin which causes acne.

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Always use natural products when you can. You risk harming your skin by treating it with chemicals, even if they are meant to exfoliate or unclog pores.

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Warnings

Don't go overboard with blackhead removal. Picking at your skin increases the chances of scarring and leaving other markings that are more noticeable than large pores.

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Don't scrub your skin too hard when you exfoliate it. You can make the problem worse by inflaming your skin with hard brushing or scrubbing.^{[14]
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