Mekas M, et al. An Evaluation of Efficacy and Tolerability of Novel Enzyme Exfoliation Versus Glycolic Acid in Photodamage Treatment. Journal of Drugs in Dermatology. 2015 Nov;14(11):1306-19. If you haven’t already, you should also incorporate clarifying face masks, niacinamide-based face serums, and tightening toners into your skincare routine, as these products help to reduce enlarged pores as well. And if you’re the type of person who wears a decent amount of makeup on a regular basis, consider investing in a blurring primer to help diminish the appearance of pores. Exfoliating AHAs and BHAs such as glycolic acid and salicylic acid are often go-to ingredients in an acne skincare routine due to their oil regulating properties, and for the same reason, they help in reducing the appearance of pores as well. "It's possible to regulate skin oiliness and reduce the buildup of dead skin cells and sebum in the pores by using exfoliating acids," says Butler. Savić, Vesna Lj et al. Comparative Study of the Biological Activity of Allantoin and Aqueous Extract of the Comfrey Root. Phytotherapy research : PTR vol. 29,8 (2015): 1117-22. doi:10.1002/ptr.5356

You can slot in a pore minimising product pretty much anywhere in your routine, as there are plenty of lotions, potions and gizmos all dedicated to this precise cause. These include: In general, the star ingredients tend to be salicylic acid and glycolic acid, says Dr. Emmy Graber, MD, dermatologist with the Dermatology Institute of Boston. “Another popular ingredient in pore minimizers is charcoal because it’s very absorptive and acts like a sponge to remove dead skin cells and excess oil.” Skin TypeMiraj, Sepide, and Samira Alesaeidi. A systematic review study of therapeutic effects of Matricaria recuitta chamomile (chamomile). Electronic physician vol. 8,9 3024-3031. 20 Sep. 2016, doi:10.19082/3024 Shrinking" enlarged pores can be an uphill battle at times. The truth is you can't really change the shape of your pores with one specific product. Your pore size is determined by a bunch of different factors such as genetics, age, sun exposure and skin type. But the good news is you can disguise or hide your pores if you use the right products. Telang PS. Vitamin C in dermatology. Indian Dermatol Online J. 2013 Apr;4(2):143-6. doi: 10.4103/2229-5178.110593. PMID: 23741676; PMCID: PMC3673383.

You also want to make sure you're in a good routine with cleaning your face and exfoliating—unclogging the gunk and oil will make your pores appear smaller. But don't forget to go gentle here—you don't want to scrub so hard or wash your face too much that you cause inflammation and redness. Can you ever reduce pore size? This million-dollar question has a pretty straightforward answer. "Of course minimizing pore size isn't possible since genetics determine how large or small they are," explains plastic surgeon Dr Osman Bashir Tahir. However, what you can do is reduce their appearance. Either by boosting collagen production to reduce age-related gaping, by cleaning out the debris that clogs them up, or by using makeup such as primers that smooth over the uneven texture. Some ingredients to look for that are good for hiding pores are AHAs and BHAs, which can exfoliate, and retinoids, which can work to unclog the pores. Sunscreen will also protect your skin from sun damage, preventing your pores from seeming enlarged.Uses: Reducing the appearance of pores, absorb excess oil, or smoothing the skin for foundation application We love an all-around product. This toner will minimize pores while improving skin texture and encouraging cell renewal. It’s formulated with alpha hydroxy acids to gently remove dead skin cells, unclog pores, and reduce the appearance of fine lines, as well as the brand’s proprietary nutrient-rich liquid Pitera, which is designed to boost skin softness and smoothness. Katsuyama, M et al. A novel method to control the balance of skin microflora Part 2. A study to assess the effect of a cream containing farnesol and xylitol on atopic dry skin. Journal of dermatological science vol. 38,3 (2005): 207-13. doi:10.1016/j.jdermsci.2005.01.003