Pores: How to Minimize Pores for Good [Ultimate Guide]

by Angie <3

We’ve all been there. Looking at a magnifying mirror, noticing pores on your cheeks, and quickly scouring through hundreds of online articles looking for tips on how to get rid of those pesky pores. Well, look no further because this post will be your one-stop shop for all things pores; from understanding what they do, to learning how to minimize pores!

Let’s start with the question we all want to know the answer to…



1) Can you get rid of pores? HOW can you get rid of pores?

There’s nothing I hate more than being the bearer of bad news, but, the answer is NO you can’t get rid of pores *crying face*. As annoying as their presence may be on our faces, pores are a necessary part of our skin. Pores are actually small hair follicles that have a gland which secretes oils. Thus, pores take the oils which are secreted by your glands, and push them to your skin surface. This lubricates your skin and if you’re like me and have large pores, explains why you may have oily skin accompanying those pesky pores!

2) Okay.. Since I can’t get rid of them, what can be done?

Luckily, there is better news with this answer! Since we can’t totally eliminate pores, we can reduce their appearance; how to minimize pores. The annoying thing about pores is that dirt and makeup can tend to build up in them. The build up in pores is what actually makes them appear bigger! In fact, clogged pores is what leads to blackheads and those annoying white heads! So, with years, I feel like I’ve found a few steps that really help me to reduce the appearance of my pores.

How to Minimize Pores:

a) Cleanse: This step is an essential first step toward smaller appearing pores! Cleansing helps to really get any makeup or gunk out of those pores. If you’re wearing makeup, I recommend double cleansing to really make sure that those pores are totally cleaned out. Some of my favorite cleansers lately have been the Mario Badescu Enzyme Cleansing Gel and the Kiehls Ultra Facial Cleanser.

b) Exfoliate: Another super important step when it comes to reducing the appearance of your pores is to exfoliate your skin. Exfoliating your skin, either with facial scrubs or with acids, can really help to reinforce that your pores are totally cleaned out. I feel like this step really helps with the appearance, however, exfoliating can be a little harsh on the skin so I only do this my face a few times a week.


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My FAVORITE and most effective (at least I think so!) method of exfoliating is using The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution. AHA’s and BHA’s are two types of acids that really work to cure pore congestion. This particular products formula works to deeply exfoliate your skin, clear out those pores, and makes your skin super smooth! Since these are acids, I recommend doing a little research to make sure if your skin will react good with them. Personally, I don’t think it’s super harsh and I feel like it’s SO effective; it’s amazing! Best part? It’s only $7.20!

c) Primer: After doing all that I can before I apply my makeup, this step is done right before I apply my complexion products; foundation/bb cream. Since you can’t really get rid of pores, even after doing all that you can to minimize them, a primer can really help when it comes to your makeup. Certain primers can really work to fill and blur your pores, ensuring a smooth canvas for your foundation! My favorite pore-filling/mattifying primer lately has been the Elf Matte Putty Primer (Click here to read my thoughts on the product!).

3) Can Toner Minimize Pores?

Yes, yes, yes! Toners are actually a great extra step to add to your skincare routine because they can do wonders for your pore appearance. Toners are basically made to provide extra cleansing to your skin and they also work pretty great to remove oils, unclog pores, reduce the appearance of pores, and even close your pores after use to protect your skin. Basically, toners are a little miracle when it comes to pores! A few of my favorite toner’s which I use and can see a difference in my pore size are the Up&Up (Target Brand) Deep Clean Toner and also the Ole Henrikson Balancing Force Toner.

The Main Takeaway:

The main takeaway that I really want you guys to remember from the post, aside from the tips mentioned, is that pores are normal! Every single person has pores. Although, some people may have bigger pores and some smaller, it’s still perfectly normal and a part of healthy skin! If you’re not the biggest fan of the appearance of your pores, like me, I hope you find this post helpful with all of my tips!

What tips do you have for pore-care? Let me know & let’s talk below! <3



*This post may contain Affiliate Marketing Links. This means if you buy something using those links, I may receive a small commission. Thank you so much for supporting the blog and allowing my Dream to continue forward!


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