Pore Minimizer Tips for Treating Large Pores

If it seems you’ve tried every pore minimizer out there and haven’t seen positive results for your enlarged pores, don’t give up hope! At Paula’s Choice, we take a research-backed approach to target the root causes of large pores.

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Causes of Enlarged Pores

When excess oil mixes with other things inside the pore (such as dead skin), it forms a clog that causes the pore to enlarge. Sun damage can also contribute to misshapen, enlarged pores, which is why it takes a well-rounded skin care approach to treat them.

Pore Reducer Treatments

Bottle of Paula's Choice SKIN PERFECTING 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant tipped over spilling liquid out The frustrating part about “pore reducer” products, is that many of them actually make large pores worse. In particular, products with drying, harsh ingredients (like SD alcohol) or abrasive, jagged scrub particles can trigger an irritation response that jump-starts more oil production, leading to even more enlarged pores.

Thankfully, research is clear that certain key ingredients can make a significant difference for enlarged pores.

Salicylic acid (beta hydroxy acid or BHA) helps shed the dead skin that would normally gather in the pore and stretch it out. BHA exfoliates inside enlarged pores, so it helps return them to their normal shape. This allows for a more even flow of oil and prevents pores from becoming enlarged again.

We suggest you start with our fan-favorite pore reducer, SKIN PERFECTING 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant, and move up to or alternate with higher concentrations of BHA, if needed.

Niacinamide (vitamin B3) can also help visibly improve stretched out, enlarged pores, but it works in a much different way than BHA. Niacinamide boosts skin’s natural repair processes to provide a "tightened-up" look. Research also demonstrates that niacinamide has significant anti-aging properties, so your skin reaps both benefits at once.

Get the most concentrated dose of vitamin B3 via our Niacinamide 20% Treatment, famously known as the “large pores treatment.”

For an instant pore minimizer effect, oil-absorbing ingredients, like charcoal and clay, can help temporarily reduce the appearance of enlarged pores. Silicones or primer-type products with a velvety-matte finish can also give a cosmetic blurring effect to softly camouflage large pores.

Try our SHINE STOPPER Instant Matte Finish for a quick pore reducer fix.

Finally, daily use of a gentle, balancing skin care routine is the final piece of the puzzle. Look for foaming cleansers to gently whisk away excess oil and impurities without drying skin, and feather-light sunscreens to protect without clogging pores.