How to Minimize Your Pores

Before setting up a doctor's appointment or spending money on cosmetics you haven't tested, keep in mind that there are a number of simple at-home tricks you can try to decrease the appearance of your pores. First, you can use preventive measures to protect your skin. For example, by applying sunscreen 30 minutes before going into the sun, and by avoiding the sun's rays when they're strongest -- between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. -- you will be able to protect your skin from ultraviolet ray damage that contributes to dilated pores [source: Sorgen]. Washing your face daily with a gentle rinse will help keep your pores unclogged without irritating the skin. Although they typically call attention to pores, avoid removing blackheads or whiteheads yourself, since this can result in scarring or infection.

You can find another pore-minimizing trick on the breakfast table. You can temporarily tighten the skin, decreasing the appearance of enlarged pores, with a simple homemade masque. Simply mix two raw egg whites with a quarter cup of orange juice. Put the blend on your skin for 15 minutes or until it dries. Finally, wash off the mixture with warm water [source: WebMD].

It's not always possible to tighten the skin or minimize pore dilation. In these cases, a person can apply makeup to minimize their appearance. Try using a pre-foundation skin primer to even out skin tone, followed by a cream-based foundation, which is better at concealing pores than the liquid varieties. Finally, use a loose powder to dust your face and leave your skin looking balanced [source: DocShop].

If the eggs, orange juice and make-up don't do the trick, read on to discover some more technical techniques that will require a trip to a medical professional.

Although many at-home remedies are effective at reducing the appearance of enlarged pores, people often seek professional help when treating their skin. There are a number of medical procedures that can reduce the size of pores and keep your skin looking healthy. A recent study found that fractional photothermolysis -- a form of laser therapy -- is successful in not just treating acne scars but also temporarily decreasing the size of pores [source: Cho]. The procedure removes outer layers of skin and clears debris from pores, cleaning them out and minimizing the dilation that comes with blockage [source: Northington].

A similar treatment to laser therapy is microdermabrasion, a process that uses a vacuum-like suction with miniature crystals sprayed over the skin. The crystals erode the outer layers of skin, while the vacuum removes dead skin cells and oils that may block pores. It's similar to a chemical peel, in which an acid is spread across the skin to wear away the rough outer layers [source: University of Michigan]. With both microdermabrasion and chemical peels, repeated treatments are often necessary to achieve the best results.

Although the scientific community hasn't fully embraced it and few comprehensive tests exist, many people with enlarged pores are turning to facial rejuvenation through acupuncture, a treatment in which tiny needles are inserted into specific points on the body. During acupuncture, blood flow increases in the skin of the face, which helps improve muscle tone and tightens enlarged pores and sagging skin. Additionally, some experts believe that facial rejuvenation acupuncture stimulates new cell growth and reduces the buildup of harmful elements in the skin [source: Kecskes].

Although it's always a good idea to at least consult with a dermatologist, you may not want to spend the time, money and effort necessary to receive medical treatment. Next, you'll read about some pore-minimizing options that fall between the extremes of home remedies and laser treatments.

It's important to know that -- besides at-home treatments and different medical procedures -- there are a number of skin-care products on the market. Anti-aging creams often contain retinol, a form of vitamin A, and users typically put these products on overnight. Retinol can tighten the skin up, reducing the appearance of pores. In addition to retinol, look for products with vitamin C and alpha or beta hydroxy acids [source: Crawford].

Exfoliating creams are widely available, and they all help to reduce the size of large pores. Exfoliating creams work in a similar way to microdermabrasion or chemical peel procedures. By wearing away the outer layers of skin, they reveal undamaged lower layers and stimulate new cell growth. However, exfoliating creams are less abrasive, and you can use them at home without the help of a doctor.

Because blackheads and whiteheads can enlarge pores, products designed to treat acne often help keep your complexion uniform and pores healthy-looking. After taking a warm shower, which should help dilate pores, apply a blackhead strip or similar product to the area you'd like to treat. Follow the product's directions to safely remove blackheads without the risk of scarring or infection. There are also more mechanical means of removing blackheads with vacuum-like devices, which allow a person to completely remove a single blackhead without pain or risk of scarring.

Although it may be frustrating to learn that it's not possible to tighten up enlarged pores permanently, you won't have to constantly suffer. These treatments can keep your skin looking vibrant and youthful. If you make the right choices and carefully test different approaches, it's possible to maintain a healthy tone. As always, speak to a dermatologist if you're uncertain about a particular product or procedure. Follow the links on the following page to learn more about the different methods for minimizing pores.