How To Get Rid Of Big Pores

If you've ever found yourself peering closely into a magnifier mirror, wondering how to shrink your pores, you're not alone. It seems we've all had an obsession with our skin texture at some point, attempting to exfoliate large pores into extinction or smooth them into submission with endless layers of primer.

When it comes to getting rid of pores, the reality is that you can't – and you shouldn't feel compelled to, either. As dermatologist Dr. Dennis Gross explains, they're on your face for a good reason. "Pores are tiny hair follicles which contain an oil-secreting sebaceous gland. You have them all over your body, with the exception of your palms and bottom of your feet. The purpose of a pore is to allow the oil generated by the sebaceous glands to travel up the hair follicle and reach the surface of the skin, lubricating it. This natural oil is called sebum and keeps the skin moisturised and healthy."

While it's true that some days your pores may appear larger than others, the idea that you can 'open' and 'close' them is false: largely, it's the product of dubious industry marketing, created to help sell 'pore-minimising' products.

"Your pores have no muscles attached to them, so they are unable to move or shift shape" confirms Andrea Pfeffer, founder of facial clinic Pfeffer Sal. "However, their appearance and size is affected by many factors including skin condition, genetics and lifestyle. Pores can appear to grow in size as we age, due to depletion of collagen and elastin in the skin making it a little less tight."

So while you can't change the natural size of your pores, you can do a lot to prevent them from enlarging further. Here, see all your options – no miracles required…

Consider your cleanser

Cleansing thoroughly is an essential first step in keeping pores at their natural size. Make-up, daily grime and city pollution all sit on the skin throughout the day, and need to be completely swept away to prevent pores becoming clogged and therefore enlarged. A double cleanse is your secret weapon here: first, melt make-up with an oil or balm, then try a gel to really treat the skin.

Alpha Beta Pore Perfecting Cleansing Gel

Dr Dennis Gross spacenk.com

£45.00

With glycolic and salicylic acids, this active treatment cleanser will gently exfoliate congested, acne-prone skin.

Super Healthy Skin Double Cleansing Balm

This rich, oily balm melts down even waterproof make-up, meaning your second cleanser can really set to work on treating the skin.

Super Amino Gel Cleanser

Summer Fridays cultbeauty.co.uk

£34.00

Gentle yet effective, this gel formula leaves all skin types feeling clean and hydrated.

Electrogel Cleanser

LIXIRSKIN cultbeauty.co.uk

£25.00

This creamy cleanser is specifically formulated to target pollution particles that linger on the skin.

Refine with a peel

According to Dr. Gross, chemical exfoliation is a great way to keep pores clean and clear. "Incorporating a daily exfoliator into your routine can work wonders. It speeds cellular turnover and reduces blockage to prevent congested pores, which look bigger."

A pre-soaked pad containing an alpha hydroxy acid is your best option for a quick, easy exfoliation, while seasoned acid users can graduate to Dr. Dennis Gross's potent Resurfacing Liquid Peel – it's as close to a professional monthly treatment you'll get without leaving your bathroom.

Alpha Beta Ultra Gentle Daily Peel

Dr Dennis Gross spacenk.com.uk

£89.00

New to acid exfoliation? Start with these swipe-on pads.

Professional Grade Resurfacing Liquid Peel

Dr Dennis Gross spacenk.com.uk

£102.00

For seasoned users only, this high-strength acid peel refines, resurfaces and brightens with remarkable results.

Liquid Facial Resurfacer

Sarah Chapman spacenk.com.uk

£45.00

Swipe Sarah Chapman's acid treatment on with a cotton pad a few evenings each week. It's gentler than most, but no less effective.

Press & Glow

Formulated with moisture-grabbing poly-hydroxy-acid, this exfoliating toner is ideal for dehydrated and sensitive skins.

Use a retinol

According to Pfeffer, retinol can also be a useful ally with it comes to shrinking pores – but correct usage is crucial. "Retinol helps to minimise oil production and congestion build-up in the pores that can potentially be a reason for enlargement." However, as with most active ingredients, too much of a good thing can have the opposite effect. When using a retinol, Pfeffer recommends three months on, two months off for a maximum period of 18 months.

Crystal Retinal 1 Serum

Medik8 lookfantastic.com

£39.00

Start with Medik8's celebrated Crystal Retinal 1, before working up the strengths: 3, 6, and 10.

A+ High-Dose Retinoid Serum

Sunday Riley spacenk.com.uk

£70.00

One of Sunday Riley's most loved formulas, this milky serum combines retinol with moisture-grabbing algae.

Ceramide Retinol Night Serum

Elizabeth Arden feelunique.com

£41.41

The retinol inside these biodegradable pods stays as potent as possible until the moment it reaches the skin.

Redermic Retinol Night Moisturiser

La Roche-Posay boots.com

£25.60

Use this trusted retinol cream for two months to see brighter, smoother skin.

Try microneedling

If you're considering professional treatment to help refine enlarged pores, a course of microneedling could be the answer.

"Needling can be a fantastic treatment to minimise the appearance of pore size" suggests Pfeffer. "It works by delivering micro-injuries into the skin, triggering a controlled, precise healing process. This results in accelerated, more structured collagen production. The increased levels of collagen and elastin thicken the skin, so our pores appear smaller."

However, this is a treatment best left to the experts, warns Pfeffer. "It needs to be done by an experienced, qualified therapist in a sterile environment. At-home derma rollers and lighter needling treatments are more focused on product penetration and will not reach deep enough into the skin to stimulate the collagen and elastin production required" she explains.

Veil with a primer

Patience might be a virtue, but when it comes to quick fixes, there's one in particular that works brilliantly at concealing pores. The best way to instantly veil uneven skin texture and ensure a smooth foundation for make-up is with a specially formulated primer for large pores. "Pore-minimising primers like Smashbox's Photo Finish Minimize Pores and Benefit's The Porefessional contain spherical silicone particles and powder pigments that fill in and blur the appearance of pores before you apply make-up on top" explains make-up artist Hannah Martin. "Both of these are oil free and non comedogenic too."

Studio Fix Mattifine 12 Hour Shine-Control Primer

MAC lookfantastic.com

£28.00

If reducing excess oil is your focus, try MAC's new silicone primer, which creates a smooth canvas with staying power.

Pore-Refining Mattifying Veil

Clé de Peau Beauté

£55.00

Just one of Clé de Peau Beauté's outstanding complexion products, this primer veils pores and grips foundation without feeling overly heavy.

The POREfessional Primer

Benefit lookfantastic.com

£22.13

Airy and creamy, this cult classic creates a smooth canvas for foundation.

Photo Finish Pore Minimizing Primer

Smashbox lookfantastic.com

£12.80

Smashbox is known for creating flawless primers – and when it comes to veiling pores, this one doesn't disappoint.

Re-think foundation

Finally, pairing a pore-minimising primer with the right foundation is the key to a smooth make-up finish. "Avoid anything with too much oil or moisture on the areas you may be concerned about, as this will undo the good work of your primer" advises Martin. "By all means wear a dewy-finish foundation where you want a glow, but stick to long wearing, oil-free formulas in the areas you want to conceal open pores."

And your secret weapon for on-the-go touch-ups? Turns out, sometimes the simplest products are the most effective. "Throughout the day, use blotting papers (DHC's are affordable and effective) to absorb any excess oil on the skin before make-up touch ups" says Martin. "This will help minimise the appearance of pores and reduce the risk of them becoming clogged."

Ultra Le Teint Velvet

For a velvety-matte finish that doesn't look heavy, try Chanel's classic pore-blurring foundation.

Face & Body Powder-No-Powder

Dior Backstage boots.com

£29.50

Dior's pigmented powder is ultra finely milled, balancing oiliness while creating radiant, unified skin. Use it alone, or over a liquid foundation for higher coverage.

Teint Idole Ultra Wear Foundation Nude

Lancôme feelunique.com

£34.00

For moderate coverage that doesn't budge, opt for this stellar foundation.

Complexion Rescue Hydrating Foundation Stick

bareMinerals feelunique.com

£26.53

A mineral-based formula, this easy stick can be swiped onto skin throughout the day, delivering high coverage without the dryness.

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