Wondering how to shrink pores" We ask the experts. Image: Imaxtree
Hate to break it to you, but mom was wrong when she told you that you could shrink your pores with a cold water face rinse. Whether your pores are teeny tiny or they’re dotting your face like chocolate chips, their size is predetermined by genetics. Worse yet, while you can’t actually make them smaller with any over-the-counter product or home practice, some things you may be doing (or not doing) can actually make them bigger.
“Pores, like any hole, can fill up and stretch if overfilled or if they’re filled for too long and, most importantly, like the rest of skin, can sag and bag with too much sun,” says New York City-based dermatologist Dr. Rachel Nazarian. Popping pimples by hand can also damage pores and enlarge them. Over-the-Counter and Prescription Products
That doesn’t mean the best you can do is hope you’re not damaging your pores; there are effective ways to mitigate their appearance. “Products containing retinol, vitamin C, alpha hydroxy acid and glycolic acid are excellent if you’re unhappy with your pore size,” says RealSelf contributor Dr. Michele Green. “These ingredients unclog the pores and make skin brighter, reducing the appearance of pore size. There are also prescription variations, such as oral isotretinoin (Accutane) and topical tretinoin (Retin A).” Nazarian also singles out Floralux, which boosts collagen p...