Maybe not, but with the newest products and treatments, you can make them appear smaller, smoother and tighter.
Bigger is usually better — at least in diamonds, real estate and your bank account. But when it comes to pores, the opposite rules: Most of us want to keep them as tiny as possible. “Pores cause a lot of grief,” says Dr. Paul Cohen, a dermatologist in Toronto. “Many people get upset about their appearance because their pores are large or unsightly. Often, they get clogged, which is a precursor to acne, rosacea and folliculitis [a bacterial infection of the hair follicles].” And there’s even more bad news: The size of our pores is determined by genetics, and they can appear bigger as we age. “The structure around them weakens, so they look larger because the skin isn’t supporting them on the sides,” says Dr. Lydia Evans, a dermatologist in Chappaqua, N.Y., and consultant for L’Oréal Paris. But forget about swinging into attack mode: You can’t shrink your pores permanently, but the newest products and in-office procedures can help them look smaller, smoother and tighter while improving the rest of your complexion too.
AT HOME
Though we would be happier if they just pulled a disappearing act, our pores exist for a reason. “They are openings in the skin that help eliminate sweat and sebum,” says Cohen. But that’s where problems can start, because too much oil — or a buildup of dirt, makeup and dead skin cells — causes clogging, which can also make pores seem larger. It’s a no-brainer, but it’s worth remembering: “If you don’t wash right away after doing anything that makes you sweaty or dirty, you increase the risk of blocking your pores,” says Evans. Cleaning your face twice a day is key; also, consider tossing a package of wet cleansing cloths in your handbag for speed cleaning after a sweaty step class. Cleansers with exfoliating properties are particularly good for those with normal to oily skin types, says Evans. Look for products that contain salicylic acid or glycolic acid (chemical exfoliants that dissolve keratin, the “glue” that holds dead skin cells together) or use a cleanser with exfoliating beads that perform the sloughing manually. But don’t overdo it: Evans says that exfoliating cleansers should be used once a week for normal skin and up to three times a week for oily skin. Or, try one of the new at-home exfoliators, like Bioré’s Skinpreservation Even Smoother Microderm Exfoliator. “It uses the same aluminum crystals as professional micro-dermabrasion to smooth and even out skin,” says Stacy Sherman, a scientist for Kao Brands, the company that owns Bioré. Another option: the Clarisonic Skin Care Brush, an electronic face brush that clears makeup and dirt from pores with its oscillating bristles.
The size of our pores is determined by genetics, and they can appear bigger as we age.
