Unfortunately, the size of our pores has been genetically determined—you can thank your parents or grandparents—and we can’t actually make them smaller, no matter how many peels, pore strips or clay masks we use to “shrink” them. As master aesthetician Amy McLain says, “The size of our pores is usually a touchy subject.” However, we can make them appear tighter and smaller with the help of efficacious products made with the right ingredients. (And of course a good steamy facial now and then will help too!)
“When it comes to pores, we can’t permanently change their size, but we can take measures to refine texture and improve their visibility,” says medical aesthetician Candace Marino. “Getting facials and keeping the skin clean is imperative for people concerned with large pores. When we deep-clean the skin and remove dead cellular debris that gets trapped in the pores, they become less dilated, clogged and visible.” These are 24 products recommended by top aestheticians to minimize the appearance of pores, from cleansers to peels and everything in between.
Alpyn Beauty Pore Perfecting Liquid Exfoliator with 2% BHA and Borage ($39)
“Not only did this beautiful lavender glass bottle immediately catch my eye, but it also truly does live up to its claim. Upon the first application, I saw an immediate difference in minimized pores, as well as an improvement in overall texture. My skin had a hydrated, dewy glow due to the combination of the 2-percent salicylic acid balanced with borage, tremella mushroom and vitamin C.
The borage helps to offset any redness or inflammation. The pH balance was perfect, and it’s a perfect step for any morning and evening regimen. It’s suitable for any skin type, but I recommend it to my clients with combination or acne-prone skin. This is so much more than a basic toner!” —Jenny Gersack, aesthetician and owner of Radiant Skin by Jenny Gersack
iS Clinical Cleansing Complex Polish ($48)
“This botanical product is safe for any skin type or age, and my patients find that it does not strip or dry the skin. It is a physical exfoliant that smooths and softens the skin and can help reduce the size of pores.” —Sanela Pjetrovic, expert medical aesthetician at BeautyWorksNYC
Mario Badescu Pore Minimizer ($12)
“Pore Minimizer is excellent for trouble areas where it is difficult to squeeze, especially around the nose area. As our nose consists of bone and cartilage, it is not advisable to put too much pressure on the flexible portion of the nose; therefore, by using Pore Minimizer, we can clean this area and make the pores appear smaller.” —Elena Arboleda, Mario Badescu aesthetician since 1983
Tatcha The Clarifying Clay Mask ($70)
“This is a terrific product that can help open and cleanse pores, and remove excess oil from the surface of the skin—it also has some exfoliant properties. Removing debris from pores is a key step in achieving smaller pores. This product has the benefit of not only removing debris, dead skin cells and bacteria, but also tightening the skin, leaving you with a smoother complexion.” —Mila Davis, aesthetician at Skin to Smile
Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser ($12.50)
“There is unfortunately nothing you can do to close your pores, but what you can do is deep-cleanse them to make them appear smaller. The major cause of large pores is excessive oil production. Seek out products that contain niacinamide, which help regulate sebum production and refine skin texture by supporting the skin’s natural exfoliation process. Niacinamide promotes the removal of dead skin cells and helps to smooth the skin’s surface, which ultimately gives the appearance of smaller pores.
I love this cleanser which contains niacinamide, as well as hydrating ingredients like panthenol and glycerin to not disturb the skin’s natural skin barrier.” —René de la Garza, celebrity aesthetician
skinbetter science AlphaRet Overnight Cream ($)
“This is one of my all-time favorites that we also carry at my clinic. I am a big fan of brands that have impressive clinical studies and high-efficacy ingredients. When it comes to skin care, we all want results fast, and that is exactly what this product delivers; you’ll see noticeable results and improvements in less than a week. It diminishes pore size and will also brighten and firm.” —Joie Tavernise, medical aesthetician and founder of JTAV Clinical Skincare
“This is the magic bullet to help large-pored skin look its absolute best. This product will deliver potent yet very tolerable retinol to help strengthen and grow the dermis layer—’the engine room’ of the skin—where the important collagen and elastin fibers are produced. When your dermis is thick and healthy, skin will appear smoother and more radiant, and less dehydrated and imbalanced.” —Karen Fernandez, lead aesthetician at SkinSpirit
Fresh Rose & Hyaluronic Acid Deep Hydration Emulsion ($46)
“For at-home products, I like to recommend something with both hydrating and pore-refining ingredients. Hydration is important for enlarged pores, because topical hydration will help balance the skins oil production for those who are oily, thus preventing buildup within them. And for those with dry skin, hydration will replenish dehydration, making the skin’s texture more supple. When skin is dry, pores seem to flatten out and become more visible.
Pore-refining ingredients are going to smooth and resurface the skin’s texture, making pores less prominent. This formula has both: hyaluronic acid to hydrate the deeper layers of the skin and replenish a dry texture, and yarrow extract, which smooths and refines the skin’s visible texture.” —Candace Marino
Biologique Recherche Serum Dermopore ($84)
“This multitasking serum was developed for shrinking the appearance of pores while purifying skin. It’s formulated with java tea, which helps to reduce sebum secretion and prevent comedone formation. It helps refine irregularities and skin texture, while rebalancing the skin. I recommend using it both in the morning and at night after cleansing skin, and recommend focusing on the T-zone area if that’s a problematic area for you.” —Gunna Covert, co-owner and head trainer at Daphne Studio NYC and Penelope and The Beauty Bar in Seattle
SkinCeuticals Retexturing Activator ($86)
“This is another favorite of mine. When used daily and consistently, this serum will act as a powerful yet gentle exfoliant. The beauty of this product is that you can incorporate it into your routine both morning and night—unless your skin is sensitive, in which case you would only use at night. Exfoliation helps with skin cell turnover, and the glycolic acid will slough out congestion from the pores, making them smaller and tighter.” —Joie Tavernise
Jan Marini Skin Research Skin Zyme ($75)
“This mask is my absolute favorite. It melts away dead skin cells with gentle green papaya and hydrates with a touch of honey—the result is skin that feels soft, hydrated, smooth and balanced.” —Karen Fernandez
The Ordinary AHA 30%+BHA 2% Peeling Solution ($8)
“Chemical peels are one of the most efficient treatments that can shrink the size of your pores. Medical-grade chemical peels are most effective, but they have to be performed in an office setting by a professional. This product has higher-than-normal concentrations of AHAs to deliver above-average results. This peeling solution also contains glycolic acid, lactic acid, tartaric acid, and citric acid, which make it an effective product to exfoliate the outer layer of skin and not only produce smaller pores, but also improve overall skin texture and appearance.” —Mila Davis
Éminence Organic Skin Care Firm Skin Acai Exfoliating Peel ($79)
“Smoothing the look of pores starts with relaxing them, in a sense, in order to release and emulsify buildup of debris (dead skin cells, makeup residue, sebaceous congestion, dried sweat, etc.) that can cause uneven texture. Once the pores are free and clear, it is then imperative to replenish the moisture balance to ‘fill in the gaps’ and act as a bridge between the potholes. This lends way to clean, clear canvas that is smooth and supple.
A quick and easy way to make this part of a routine is to use this exfoliating peel. It’s a solution that can be used either by hand or on a cotton pad as a prep to serums or moisturizers in the weekly routine (or more often as needed). The lifting effect from the pores regaining vitality is something that anyone can benefit from with smoother skin overall.” —Karee Hays, master aesthetician
PCA SKIN Pore Refining Treatment ($60)
“To minimize large pores, you need to empty them out with the help of products that decrease oil production and remove built-up oil. This treatment does just that with enzymes that deliver cellular exfoliation.” —Runchana Ball, aesthetician
Perricone MD No:Rinse Intensive Pore Minimizing Toner ($45)
“The salicylic acid in this toner helps exfoliate skin and plump and firm fine lines. I even recommend using it twice a day if pores are really a problem.” —Alexandra Wagner, aesthetician and founder of her eponymous skin-care line
skinbetter science AlphaRet Clearing Serum ($130)
“This is a BHA-containing serum and has the added benefit of salicylic acid. Salicylic acid is a powerful ingredient that reduces excessive oil production, in turn reducing clogged pores and pore size. This product has the added benefits of improving skin tone and texture and contains powerful antioxidants.” —Mila Davis
Elemental Herbology Facial Detox Purifying Mask ($52)
“Most clay masks—my favorite of the bunch is this one, made with Amazonian clay—help draw excess oil, impurities and sebum out of the pores, which makes them look tighter and smaller.” —Dylan Mustapich, lead aesthetician at Face Haus New York
Revision Skincare Retinol Complete 0.5 ($98)
“Retinoic acid promotes cellular turnover, revealing healthy new cells and purging oil from the pores. This is my go-to retinoic acid for minimizing the appearance of pores and promoting skin health.” —Karee Hays, master aesthetician
Environ Tri Biobotanical Revival Masque ($81)
“This masque is like a ‘facelift in a bottle.’ With a unique combination of three acids, this product is amazing for lifting, firming and reducing the appearance of large pores. It also lightens the skin beautifully! I have my clients sleep with it on three times a week and they see a significant improvement after consistently using it for three weeks.” —Amy McLain, master aesthetician and esthetics director of education at Kenneth’s Hair Salons & Day Spas in Columbus, OH
HydroPeptide Clarifying Toner Balance & Control Pads ($48)
“This is one of my favorite products that I love to recommend to clients who struggle with large pores. They have a blend of alphahydroxy acids that exfoliate, brighten, tone and balance the skin. The pads are great for removing excess makeup and pollutants, as well as dissolving dirt and oil. My clients see such a difference with them, and they love how convenient they are.” —Amy McLain
LANCER Caviar Lime Acid Peel ($90)
“This enzyme peel is packed with so many action-oriented ingredients—10 percent glycolic acid, 10 percent brightening phytic acid and caviar lime—so you may be concerned with reactivity, but don’t be. This is the velvet hammer of exfoliation. Its acids and enzymes affect change while smoothing out the rough edges that can be associated with peels. The acids work together to help resurface and minimize pore size and skin tone. Plus, the pineapple and papaya fruit enzymes act as humectants to moisturize and plump up the skin. Soft, tight and bright skin? Who doesn’t want that?” —Megan Linney, spa director and aesthetician at The Spa at Red Rock by Well & Being in Las Vegas
SkinMedica AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser ($48); GlowBiotics Probiotic Revitalizing Cleanser ($36); and Jan Marini Skin Research Bioglycolic Face Cleanser ($45)
“Cleansing with a balanced glycolic acid cleanser will help dissolve the binding that holds dead skin together without drying the skin. My favorites are SkinMedica AHA/BHA for oily skin types, GlowBiotics Revitalizing Cleanser for combo skin, and Jan Marini Bioglycolic Cleanser three times a week for dry or sensitive skin.” —Karen Fernandez
Lira Clinical MYSTIQ iLuminating Polisher with PSC ($31)
“This polisher is great because you get to slough your skin to pore-perfect skin. It’s also jam-packed with great healing agents like silver, gold, the brand’s signature Mastiha, and plant stem cells. I’m obsessed with plant stem cells.” —Linden Tyler Glavich, licensed aesthetician and owner of Linden Company Salon and Spa
