The Best Pore Minimizers For A Flawless Complexion, According To Experts
If you believe the filtered photos on social media these days, you’d think it’s the norm to appear perfectly poreless all the time. But in real life, most of us are in a constant battle with our pores, trying in vain to minimize their size and blur them into invisibility. While achieving porcelain doll-like skin may be a constant work in progress, the best pore minimizers help give the appearance of more youthful-looking skin, no filter or foundation required.
The best pore minimizers smooth, blur and mattify for more youthful-looking skin.
Illustration: Forbes / Photo: Retailers
“Pore size can be kept at bay with the right treatment,” says New York City board certified dermatologist Dr. Doris Day. “With pore minimizers, the goal is to first gently exfoliate to make the openings of pores sit closer together and appear smaller, even if the size of them doesn’t actually change. Secondly, these products use ingredients that prevent bacterial overgrowth and often also slow oil-producing glands.” Pore minimizers come in all types of formulations—from toners to serums to cleansers—so you can decide which your skin responds best to, or what works well with your routine. We spoke with Day and more experts for their insight on which ingredients, treatments and products offer real, noticeable results.
Mục lục
Best Pore Minimizer Overall
A Fast-Absorbing, Leave-On Treatment
MOST POPULAR
Sephora
Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant
Key ingredients: Salicylic acid, green tea leaf extract | Skin type: All skin types | Cruelty-free: Yes
This well-regarded skincare hero works to unclog pores and target wrinkles, fine lines and uneven tone. Its two star ingredients work in conjunction—salicylic acid (a beta hydroxy acid, or BHA) dissolves dead skin cells and oils, and anti-aging green tea minimizes redness and counteracts sensitivity. To note: It’s recommended to use this every other day at first to gauge skin response.
What you’ll love:
- Targets blackheads
- Ideal for acne flare-ups
- Fragrance-free
Keep in mind:
- Can be irritating if used too often
Best Budget Pore Minimizer
An Affordable, Transformational Skin Resurfacer
Target
Olay Regenerist Detoxifying Pore Scrub Facial Cleanser
Key ingredients: Glycerin, salicylic acid, hydrated silica | Skin type: Combination skin | Cruelty-free: No
For times you want to feel like you’re getting an instant facial, this gel scrub gently sloughs dead skin cells to unclog pores and brighten your complexion. “This pore minimizer is glycolic acid-based and has the convenience of being in a scrub, without being overly drying or irritating to the skin,” says Day.
What you’ll love:
- Not overly abrasive thanks to hydrated silica
- Rinses clean
- Light scent
Keep in mind:
- May take time to see results
Best Luxury Pore Minimizer
A Skin Smoothing Splurge
Sephora
Tata Harper Resurfacing Serum
Key ingredients: AHA blend, BHA from white willow bark and meadowsweet, vitamin C | Skin type: Oily, combination | Cruelty-free: Yes
Luxury skincare brand Tata Harper was founded in 2010 and quickly became a clean beauty favorite among editors and influencers. This 100% natural serum uses a hardworking combination of five AHAs and two BHAs to slough dead cells and de-gunk pores to transform the texture of your skin.
What you’ll love:
- Vegan
- Boost radiance and minimizes dark spots
- Absorbs well
Keep in mind:
- Has an earthy scent
- Expensive
Best Pore Minimizing Toner
Perfect Prep That Won’t Over Dry Skin
Sephora
Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow PHA + BHA Pore Tight Toner
Key ingredients: Watermelon extract, cactus water, salicylic acid, hyaluronic acid | Skin type: All skin types, especially sensitive skin | Cruelty-free: Yes
For times you want almost-instant gratification, swipe on this toner to quickly tighten skin. With pore-tightening actives (PHA and BHA) and hydrators including hyaluronic acid, it works to simultaneously minimize the appearance of pores and boost moisture. And an added bonus? It also improves the appearance of fine lines and dark spots.
What you’ll love:
- Fast-acting
- Clinically proven results (in a survey, 100% of users saw results in two weeks)
- Boosts radiance
Keep in mind:
- It can feel sticky
- Fragrance can be polarizing
Best Pore Minimizing Cleanser
Filter-Worthy Skin In Real Life
Sephora
The Inkey List Salicylic Acid Pore Cleanser
Key ingredients: Salicylic acid, zinc compound, allantoin | Skin type: All types, and oily skin in particular | Cruelty-free: Yes
UK-based brand The Inkey List was founded in 2018 to offer affordable, effective, uncomplicated skin solutions. This budget-friendly, top-rated cleanser penetrates deep into pores to dissolve dirt and oils and banish blackheads and breakouts. Acne sufferers say this is a game changer for clearing skin. Power ingredient salicylic acid unclogs and exfoliates, zinc compound reduces oiliness and allantoin calms redness and irritation.
What you’ll love:
- Affordable
- Helps with hormonal acne
- Fragrance-free
Keep in mind:
- Results can take time
Best Pore Minimizing Moisturizer
A Non-Greasy, Smoothing Moisturizer
Walmart
SkinCeuticals Daily Moisture
Key ingredients: Algae extracts, botanical extracts blend | Skin type: Normal, oily | Cruelty-free: No
SkinCeuticals is often at the top of many dermatologists’ lists because it heavily invests in the research and development of its products. This top-rated moisturizer has botanical extracts—such as burnet, cinnamon, ginger and horsetail—that work to minimize the appearance of pores. Plus, it keeps skin hydrated without leaving behind a greasy residue, which is key, especially for those with oily skin. Reviewers report that it layers well under makeup.
What you’ll love:
- No oily residue
- Layers well
- Backed by research
Keep in mind:
- May leave a white cast on skin
Best Pore Minimizing Serum
A High-Impact, Smoothing Serum
Sephora
Estee Lauder Idealist Pore Minimizing Skin Refresher
Key ingredients: Mulberry extract, saw palmetto extract, green tea extract, chestnut extract, caffeine | Skin type: All skin types, particularly dry skin | Cruelty-free: No
Best known for its smoothing effects, this serum improves radiance and clarity and evens tone, so skin looks youthful and balanced, not splotchy. “This is made with fruit extracts and is more hydrating,” says Day. Users like the light, citrusy smell of this serum, but note that it feels more like a primer than a serum when applied.
What you’ll love:
- Leaves a silky soft feel
- Increases skin softness
- Layers well
Keep in mind:
- Can take a long time to see a change in pore appearance
Best Pore Minimizing Exfoliator
A Quick, Convenient Treatment To Slough Dead Cells
Sephora
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta Extra Strength Daily Peel
Key ingredients: Salicylic acid, glycolic acid, lactic acid, malic acid | Skin type: Dry, combination, normal | Cruelty-free: Yes
These highly rated, cult favorite pads are at the top of my personal list for improving skin tone and texture, and transforming pores from crater-y to nearly invisible. They feature a cocktail of seven hardworking acids and have clinical proof of effectiveness, with 92% of people seeing smoother skin immediately and 92% of people showing improved texture after two weeks. Each box contains five treatments, which depending on your frequency of use will last about a month.
What you’ll love:
- Quick and easy to apply
- Features multiple pore-minimizing ingredients
- Brightens skin and reduces acne scarring
Keep in mind:
- Can cause irritation if used too often
Best Pore Minimizing Mask
Purify Pores And Improve Texture
Dermstore
Dr. Brandt Pores No More Vacuum Cleaner
Key ingredients: Salicylic acid, iris extract, glycolic acid, mineral powder | Skin type: Oily, acne prone | Cruelty-free: No
Blackheads and an oily sheen are dead giveaways that you’ve got pore problems, but this mask gently clarifies skin with a few key ingredients. Salicylic acid exfoliates, sloughs dead cells and prevents clogging; glycolic acid softens and improves texture; and mineral powder absorbs oil, so you don’t have an unflattering, greasy sheen.
What you’ll love:
- Controls oil
- Results can often be seen quickly
Keep in mind:
- May have a strong odor
Best Pore Minimizing Primer
A Smoothing Foundation For Flawless Makeup Application
Sephora
Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Hydrating Primer
Key ingredients: Grape seed oil, sodium hyaluronate, dimethicone | Skin type: Normal, dry | Cruelty-free: Yes
The best primers fake the look of baby-smooth skin and provide a clean slate for makeup while still allowing skin to breathe. This primer contains hydrating grape seed oil and sodium hyaluronate, and silicone in the form of dimethicone. “Dimethicone doesn’t structurally change the size of pores but it makes them less noticeable,” says Dr. Emmy Graber, dermatologist at the Dermatology Institute of Boston. “You can think of it as spackling the skin and filling in the holes and cracks.”
What you’ll love:
- Fast-absorbing
- Silky finish
- Vegan
Keep in mind:
- Should be removed at the end of the day
Best Pore Minimizing Night Cream
Shrinks The Look Of Pores While You Sleep
Amazon
Tatcha Indigo Overnight Repair
Key ingredients: Ceramides, mondo grass, Japanese indigo, hyaluronic acid | Skin type: Dry, sensitive | Cruelty-free: Yes
Think of this as the product that will make the magnifying mirror your friend again. While not technically marketed as a pore minimizer, this serum-in-cream treatment balances the skin’s microbiome, soothes skin and reduces redness and evens tone overnight. The result? You wake up looking effortlessly ethereal.
What you’ll love:
- Improves radiance
- Combats dryness
- A little goes a long way
Keep in mind:
- Not ideal for oily complexions
What To Consider In A Pore Minimizer
If you’re looking to reduce the appearance of pores, there are several factors to keep in mind in the product you choose. Here’s what to consider.
Ingredients
The good news is that there are a long list of ingredients that can work to minimize the appearance of large pores, says Dr. Melissa Burnett, dermatologist at Premier Dermatology. First there are alpha hydroxy acids, or AHAs, which you’ll commonly see listed as glycolic acid, lactic acid, citric acid or malic acid. There are also beta hydroxy acids, or BHAs, the most common of which is salicylic acid. You may also see topical retinoids such as over-the-counter adapalene or retinols, or prescription strength tretinoin or tazarotene, amongst other things.
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 Type
Pore minimizers tend to work especially well on oily, acne-prone skin because excess sebum causes clogged pores. “Pore minimizers can work for any skin type,” says Burnett. “However, a lot of these products can be irritating for patients with very sensitive skin. For these individuals, a low percentage salicylic acid or glycolic acid can be helpful and well-tolerated especially in a wash, which will have short contact with the skin and is less likely to cause dryness.”
Formula
Pore minimizers come in a variety of formula types, including toners, serums, cleansers, moisturizers and exfoliators. The form or texture you choose can ultimately depend on what works best for your skin type, and what is most convenient for you within your skincare routine. Because many minimizers have drying ingredients, they’re often coupled with hydrators that work in conjunction so that your skin doesn’t become overly dry, patchy or irritated.
