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Pores. Everyone has them and everyone wants to get rid of them. Pores are minute glands that allow oil and sweat to pass through your skin. Occasionally they get clogged with makeup, dirt and other gross environmental debris which causes them to enlarge and make everyone self-conscious. Excess oils, debris, aging and genetics can all work against you when it comes to pore size. Acne can also stretch out your pores so if you happen to be breaking out, so the faster you can fix a pimple the less likely you are to have a pore stretch out.
Although skincare experts agree it’s virtually impossible to completely rid your skin of enlarged pores, there are some incredible products on the market that can blur, minimize or cover them up. Dermatologists have recommended customized skincare regimens based on your skin type but if you’re looking for a tried and true quick fix, these are the best pore minimizers in the business.
Best Pore Minimizer Strips:
Pore strips are actually a super effective and easy way to eliminate dirt in your pores. Whether you choose to use the strip on your nose, forehead or chin, the strip will remove the majority of your blackheads in one easy step.
Splurge: Peace Out Pore Treatment Strips ($19)
One of my good friends recently recommended this to me as a product that “changed her freaking life.” A relatively new product that landed at Sephora, these strips do all the dirty work of unclogging your pores without pain or irritation.
Save: Biore Deep Cleansing Pore Strips ($5.99)
Biore is known as the tried and true pore experts. Considered some of the best pore strips in the business, they instantly unclog pores by removing dirt, oil and blackheads.
Best Pore Minimizer Serums:
Serums are a simple addition into any skincare regimen to help combat pesky enlarged pores. Put a few drops in your moisturizer or just directly put it on your skin to help smooth your complexion’s appearance.
Splurge: Estee Lauder Idealist Pore Minimizing Skin Serum ($58)
This is one of the best pore minimizer serums on the block. It has a huge cult following with tons of positive reviews across the board.
Save: Glossier Super Pure Serum ($28)
This is one of my favorite Glossier products. So much so that I’m currently squeezing out the last droplet of it because it has become a staple in my routine. Super Pure helps counteract all those bothersome skin triggers – think periods, fast food and stress. The niacinamide and zinc help calm breakouts while simultaneously flushing out all the impurities that clog up pores.
Best Pore Minimizer Primers:
If you are a die-hard primer fan, you know that it can really make or break the look of your makeup. A really good primer helps your makeup last all day without feeling too heavy or causing product build-up in your pores. These are the best pore minimizer primers that help prevent breakouts.
Splurge: Tatcha The Silk Canvas Protective Primer $52
This primer has become a fast cult favorite pore minimizer at Sephora. This compact priming balm is a great pore minimizer primer because although it helps your makeup last longer, it prevents build up in pores and stops breakouts. Even better? Use it as an eyelid and lip primer too!
Save: Benefit The POREfessional Face Primer ($31)
This primer controls oil up to eight hours so it’s definitely worth considering switching to this primer with pore minimizing benefits. Not only will it help blur any enlarged pores you have but you also won’t be reaching for you oil sheets every two minutes.
Best Pore Minimizer Exfoliators:
If you’ve ever been to the dermatologist, you know that a good exfoliator is a key in any beauty routine. It helps slough off dead skins cells to make room for regeneration of new cells. While you may only want to use it once or twice a week, these are the best pore minimizer exfoliators that will help you unveil younger looking skin.
Splurge: Dr. Brandt Skincare PoreDermabrasion Pore Perfecting Exfoliator ($58)
With a blend of physical and chemical ingredients, this exfoliator is the perfect product to begin your week with. It breaks up oil and anything else clogging your pores to help purify and clarify your skin.
Save: Neutrogena Pore Refining Exfoliating Cleanser ($6.99)
This gentle exfoliator helps rid your skin of dead skin cells while simultaneously using the alpha and beta hydroxyl acid formula to penetrate the deepest of your pores ridding them of dirt, oil and makeup. Bonus: if you use it daily, you can minimize your pores in only two weeks.
Best Pore Minimizer Toners:
Toners easily work into your beauty routine and are especially useful for people with oily or acne-prone skin. At night after cleansing, simply apply the toner to a cotton pad and liberally smooth all over your face to rid your skin of the impurities from the day. If you use it in the morning, apply the toner all over your face and neck and after allowing your skin to breathe, apply your daily moisturizer.
Splurge: Perricone MD Intensive Pore Minimizer ($60)
For everyone with super oily skin, this is the best pore minimizer toner. While it may be pricey, it uses salicylic acid to remove all environmental debris as well as dead skin cells that clog and stretch pores. The DMAE counters any loss of skin elasticity which helps minimize the appearance of enlarged pores. This toner also helps balance the oil from your skin to give you a matte finish.
Save: Kiehl’s Rare Earth Pore Refining Tonic ($21)
Kiehl’s is an amazing skincare brand that drives serious results and doesn't break the bank. They have a whole slew of products centered around minimizing pores but this tonic is especially at the top of the list.
If you're in the skincare shopping mood, shop these fancy Sephora moisturizers that are worth every penny!
