Reader question: How to make pores look less visible
Monday, January 14, 2013 at 9:04AM Hi Ms Liz! What causes open pores and how do you treat them? :) I mean what are the remedies. Thanks! - Mikee
Hi Mikee, I'm not a dermatologist so I can't answer this with any authority. But hey, there's Google! First, what are pores? These tiny holes allow our skin to sweat and therefore maintain our body temperature. They also serve as channels for sebum to pass through to the surface of our skin; this oil lubricates our body and hair, keeping them supple and elastic.
The size of our pores is determined by the width of our hair follicles. If you have thick hair strands then you are most likely to have bigger pores. Not really a genius realization but now it makes sense why I don't have visible pores - my hair is very fine! Anyway, this also means that big pores are just in your DNA. You can't shrink them or make them disappear permanently.
Facial pores can look enlarged, however, if you don't clean them properly. Oil and dead skin cells can accumulate inside pores which may then stretch the skin and make the holes look more obvious. A good cleansing regimen will help remove these blackheads, so get a facial once a month or a mud mask once a week to root out stubborn pore blockages! Use a toner that will sweep all the dirt away after washing your face (I love the Etude House Wonder Pore toner) to prevent build-up.
Some people would recommend exfoliating, but frankly I'm not really into that. I notice that my face gets oilier and drier! There are gentler ways to remove dead skin and oil from the face. I love clay masks (Etude House Wonder Pore again, as well as the Formula 10.0.6 Deep Down Detox Ultra Cleansing Mud Mask). The kaolin clay in these masks absorb impurities inside the skin and also help cut down oil on the face. Since you would only use them once a week, they won't make the skin as dry as a daily or tri-weekly scrub.
I also use a daily facial wash with clay in it. I'm a huge fan of the Kiehl's Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleanser - it really helped me get rid of blackheads!
Now, while pores can't be erased permanently (short of cosmetic surgery I suppose), you can use temporary fillers to make them less visible. Silicone primers and fillers have fine particles that can get into those pores, like how asphalt would get into cracks in a road. A good foundation and concealer can also help conceal pores. Smoothing powders like the Majolica Majorca Pressed Pore Cover Powder can also help.
Z-Pore is a great pore filler but GoodSkin Labs unfortunately pulled out from the Philippines. You can try the NYX Pore Filler, it sounds similar to Z-Pore. You can pre-order one from Digital Traincase.
So there you go. Hope this helps even a little bit! Guys, if you have more tips on how to lessen the appearance of big pores, do share them in the comments!
Liz Lanuzo
I solicited a quick tip from the clinic of famous dermatologist Dr. Aivee Aguilar-Teo over on Twitter. ;) Follow @DrAiveeCentre!
Reader Comments (27)
Wow nagi g intersted tuloy ako jan s etude house toner na yan. Nagavail ako dati ng derma roller for 25 k kaya lang i was not able to maintain and kip up with my sessions dhil ang layo ng derma ko. Pero the principle of it is dadananan ng needles un face mo para mastimulate ang collagen. Effective sana siya kaya lng d ko namaintain. So thats 25k down the drain hahah
Having thick hair strands, that is certainly one HUGE problem of mine. Battled with huge pores all my life! I have one tip : exfoliate regularly, or have those regular diamond peel/chemical peel sessions. Pores look more pronounced when it is "lined" by dead skin cells, and as they bunch up, it's like "outlining" your pores making them look so "halata." Pores look finer after a good cleaning session or superficial peeling session like the Diamond Peel. Just something I've learned thru the years. :)
Z-Pore has become my life as I would always go for it before applying any makeup, but now that it is not here anymore, I'm substituting it with Clinique's counterpart. Not so bad also. :)
Hi Ms. LIz! I've been using the watson's hair remover tool that you recommended in one of your posts, on my femstache, and I've noticed that the pores on that area became slightly larger. So I was thinking maybe it's because the hair in that area is getting thicker because of the way I'm removing them. Do you think I should stop using it and go back to threading? Are you still using yours?
Thanks for the very informative post, btw! :)
I also noticed that if I exfoliate, my face becomes oily too and narere-place lang yung blackheads na natanggal after a few days. What I do though is first steam my face to open up the pores then exfoliate so since the pores are a bit open its faster to slough off the blackheads then I put clay mask after to tighten my pores again. That way, I get to clean my face first with all the grime and blackheads then I get to seal it using masks. If I skip the two things kasi, I noticed that my big pores and blackheads just gives a quick comeback hehehe. oh liz! You and your convincing powers, I can't get the wonder pore out of my head tuloy. I've been reading your praises about it from your previous posts pa. it looks like a really good buy! thanks for your pore tips! =)
I should get the Etude House wonder pore collection. I'm now convinced!:)
I've always struggled with my large pores. I don't use liquid primers simply because I've never found one (yet) that didn't break me out. My recent discovery is using Ellana cosmetics. I use their primer, foundation and finishing powder combo. When I use it, I honestly see that my pores are less visible. Pero syempre it's just an illusion kaya I always make sure to include clay mask in my weekly regimen. I use Queen Helene Mud Pack Masque once a week and I find that it helps with my skin. Mas clean yung pores ko (i found this out when I had my facial and they only got little dirt on my face! BTW, I dont do monthly facials din, sometimes every 6 months lang kasi I hate pricking :( )
Pores are really a huge problem for me too. The Porefessional hasn't worked for me so well, so maybe I need to try other primers. I find that having a good toner helps as well. I have yet to try the wonder pore toner but it seems like a good product as well. Thanks for the reviews Liz!
This is actually one of my top problems when it comes to my skin. I have big pores which make me more prone to pimples and blackheads. Your post is very helpful! I'll try the EH Pore toner I hope it'll work for me as i have problems with toners. I breakout everytime I use toners. :( so for now, what I do is scrub my face 2-3x a week using St. Ives facial scrub. I've been using it for years now. Then I use 24K Gold mask or Charcoal mask 2x a week. It works! :) Now I'm excited for my Neutrogena wave that I bought online. It works like Clarisonic but cheaper version :D Have you tried it Ms. Liz?
I really like using Beta Hydroxy Serum (from what I know it's just salicylic acid) but in a higher concentrate of 8% (I get it from Makeup Artists Choice). It's way more effective than the .5% to 2% we get from over-the-counter products anywhere which I think my skin is immune to already.
While it isn't a miracle product that makes pores disappear, it loosens up the embedded dirt and it makes extractions much much easier (I find it relaxing too seeing all that gunk out of my nose!)
I use the BH serum thrice a week and extract on once a week, so far my routine is working!
Now I just need to find a routine that prevents blackheads and clogged pores instead of "curing" it every week.
I think exfoliation is the key as well. Of course, moisturize afterwards so your skin doesn't dry up.
Avon Rejuvenate Glycolic Facial Serum = Hulog ng langit for my enlarged pores.
Get 1 now!
I haven't bought commercial scrubs for a while now. I exfoliate using ground coffee. It works for me because it effectively removes blackheads without enlarging my pores or drying my skin too much. Afterwards, I always use a concentrate (when available) then a moisturizer.
the gossmakeupartist on YT has this trick where he takes a face sponge, use powder foundation(or finisher) and presses it onto the huge pores, rolling the sponge. This is supposed to "fill in" the open pores and make them disappear. It works pretty well(on him, anyway) but I'm worried about clogging the pores. So, great tips! :)
I've been loyal to a skincare line from Dermclinic in my 20s -- Supreme White package and Dermisol lotion (for breakouts which I didn't have much of with constant use of the SW set). I could definitely vouch for their soap, toner and cream combo. Not only did it minimize the appearance of pores, it also took care of other skin problems I had at that time (dullness, occasional breakouts) as it did micro-peeling. I didn't really need too many sessions of diamond peels because my derma thought my skin was okay without it. I had to stop though when I became pregnant.
When I tried to resume the routine, I found that it didn't work as well anymore. I don't know, maybe it's also because my skincare requirements are different now that I'm in my 30s. I find that my pores are really getting noticeable and the overall texture of my skin dry and dull. I haven't found the perfect solution yet but I continue to cleanse, tone and moisturize. I'm now using white rice toner and Avon Anew for hydration. I'll stay with this for a while until I find something that works better.
For primer, I go for Monistat and NYX. Between the two though, I'm leaning towards Monistat more for a "poreless" finish. And then to set my makeup I use Palgantong Theatrical Powder. I don't know how it does it but the pearl-like effect it leaves on the skin minimizes the appearance of enlarged pores.
Finally, do you guys know Koren Zander? He's a Filipino makeup artist and he has this tutorial video on concealing acne scars. I know we're talking about pores here, but if his tutorial can cover acne scars and pits, I'm thinking it can easily work for pores as well. You might find something helpful here -- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJAWVneXoas
The combination of Etude House's toner and facial foam, Z-PORE, and Shu Uemura's Tsuya Skin Serum made my large pores less visible. I still get pimples, but overall, my skin has improved significantly.
Awesome! I was looking for a new mud mask. I'll definitely go to Beauty Bar. Thanks, Liz. :)
I noticed that when I apply foundation on the places where I have really big pores, it just accentuates them even more. :( So I try to apply less and only to the areas where I need it.
I've always seen the Etude Wonder Pore every time I step in their cute store. But I've always brushed it off thinking that I don't need it. Now, maybe I do. Will check that out the next I visit etude.
I learned from Gossmakeupartist of Youtube that you can apply your foundation in such a way that pores will look less visible. Basically you just have to buff the foundation on in a circular motion, it fills up the pores and makes it look less visible. Ever since, I used that technique and it does lessen the appearance of huge pores. :)
I've been bothered with the visible pores on my face ever since. But when I started using a cleanser with salicylic acid, boy, I noticed that my pores look less visible! I'm not keen on using facial scrubs since I learned from a dermatologist that exfoliating with facial scrubs could aggravate the pimples (especially the cystic ones!) I get once in a while. She said I could still exfoliate with the use of chemical peels with salicylic acid (or glycolic acid) or with any skincare containing those chemicals. It's even better because it helps in treating my acne. For those with acne like me, exfoliating with mud masks are also fine.
As for makeup, a makeup artist used Mac's Prep + Prime Skin Refined Zone on me once. It worked fine in hiding my visible pores while controlling oil. I never got the chance to buy one for myself though since it's expensive. I would love to try Nyx Pore Filler or other less expensive silicone primers though!
Unlike you and other girls, I see to it to exfoliate at least twice a week, if not i'll get oily. I also use pore strips on my pores to remove black and white heads twice a week as well. But when i run out of pore strips I put on mud mask instead its good for combination and oily skin, however mud mask is not ideal for you if you have dry skin a hydrating mask is more suitable for your dry skin instead. And lastly, I put benzoyl peroxide on my enlarge pores. hope this helps!
I also have a huge problem with pores, esp on my nose. They always get clogged by blackheads and whiteheads. I bought that EH wonderpore toner and the Kiehl's Deep Pore cleanser. I have to say that they are HG skincare (for black heads) for me. Though I still get blackheads every now and then because my pores are relatively big. I didn't know that Good Skin Labs pulled out. I wanted to try that product pa naman. If I remember correctly, Kiehl's Rare Earth line have a pore-minimizing lotion. I do not know if that works but it is "nice to know". You guys might want to try that out sometime.
Gossmakeup artist have some tutorials on large pores.
Here's one using powder: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yD5zX-i0Srk (if you think it will be cakey, he has a tutorial on that too: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2aQUc9We24o
Here's the other one using liquid foundation: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmZm3vwrF8Q
I think he used this brush on this vid: http://kikaytrekkie.blogspot.com/2012/08/product-freature-shu-uemura-18-goat.html
BUT I think it's more of the TECHNIQUE he used the brush with. He did noted in the description box that you just need a "thick, preferably natural hair brush" because "you need the added pressure these brushes provide". Just take note of the tips and tricks he said and showed. You can hide pores through what you do with what you have and not just on relaying on expensive products. Though you are going to need that extra boost from them sometimes. ;)
I havent' problem in pores, but I wanted to have skin that less visible, is it okay to use Wonder pore for me?thanks much Ms. Liz.:)
I am using that Etude House toner and I must say it is a very good toner and in a way you get your money's worth. That 700+ pesos pf yours will go a long, long way and you'll love the packaging, too! :)
But I'll tell you something that I tried last week that showed results. I won from Tony Moly their Latte Art Milk-Cacao Pore Pack. I only used it twice but indeed my pores tightened. The scent of the product is unique because it smells like chocolate dipped in alcohol. I struggled from big pores ever since I was a little kid and I'm so elated seeing how little they become...and I got that stuff for free. ;)
I first saw the wonder pore line from EH's website and looking for reviews landed me on your site! I've been using the Wonder Pore Clay for months now and it is effective for me. It lessen the appearance of my pores and my face becomes less oily for a few days. I'll be completing the set the next time I visit EH. It is also reasonably priced and lasts long. What is also good about EH is I don't have any break outs after using their products!
Just wanna share my recently discovered perfect routine that keeps pores undetectable and helped clear my blackheads.
Wash face with Dr. Kaufman Sulfur Soap + exfoliate with Baking Soda! Easy peasy breezy.
Now I just gotta find something to help clear my face of these pesky post-acne marks.