The 10 Best Pore Minimizers
This wiki has been updated 26 times since it was first published in May of 2018. Although genetics play a large part in the way your skin behaves, if you struggle with highly visible or clogged pores, there are plenty of ways to minimize them. Enhance your regimen with our selection of erasers, which includes primers, serums, and creamy solutions that cleanse, exfoliate and nourish, with options to fit within any budget. There are even a few that can tackle acne, too. When users buy our independently chosen editorial selections, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
1. DDF Resist Plus
2. Thayers Alcohol-Free
3. Dr. Brandt Microdermabrasion
Editor's Notes
May 20, 2020:
Everyone's skin is different, and what works for one person may not be useful for another, so we curated this list with that in mind. For instance, some people respond well to exfoliation while others get aggravated by it and instead require something like an astringent, spray, or thick mask. Then there are those who want to reduce pores over the long run but still need something for the day to day, which is where a mattifying primer comes in handy. This list contains all of these and more.
Remember that age, genetics, sun exposure, and more can affect the look of your pores, so you'll likely need to experiment a bit until you find what works for you. Be aware that any product containing alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) can increase your skin's sensitivity to the sun and the possibility of sunburn. Reduce the risk by applying a dedicated facial sunscreen before going outside.
For today's update, we swapped Dr. Brandt Refiner Primer for Dr. Brandt Microdermabrasion, an extremely effective exfoliating cleanser that brightens tone and diminishes dark spots. While it's on the pricier end of the spectrum, it takes a very little amount to work and only needs to be applied once or twice a week, so one tube can last you a long time. If you're more a fan of leave-on exfoliators or charcoal scrubs, look to Paula's Choice Perfecting or M3 Naturals Scrub.
We also removed the foam cleanser from Skinfood in favor of the Skinfood Mask, which still contains a good dose of albumen, vitamins, selenium, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, and a complete amino acid profile. We felt a mask would be more beneficial than the cleanser, which can be drying when used on a nightly basis.
Finally, we added the budget-friendly and extremely effective Thayers Alcohol-Free in lieu of Origins Clear Improvement, which can take a while to see results. Thayers is powerful without being harsh and is a fast working cleanser that's easy to integrate into your daily routine. It does everything from reducing redness and inflammation to shrinking pores and diminishing acne, all with a non-stinging formula. It's also easy to apply to the neck, chest, shoulders, and back.
Special Honors
Glossier Super Pure Made for broken out and irritated skin, Glossier’s Super Pure uses vitamin B3, honeysuckle extract, and zinc PCA to soothe, clear, and stop excess sebum from wreaking havoc on pores. It also contains niacinamide, an ingredient known for its ability to improve fine lines, wrinkles, pore size, and uneven tone. It's fragrance-free and comes with a glass dropper for application. glossier.com
Guerlain Abeille Royale Double R Serum Notably expensive, Guerlain’s Double R Renew & Repair is the result of ten years of research and contains highly sought after ingredients. It combines anti-aging corrective technology with a peel treatment for effective action on the visible signs of aging, including loss of elasticity and firmness, wrinkles, dull skin, and large pores. It features exclusive active ingredients that provide a lifting effect while the soft peel formula promotes renewal and cell turnover. guerlain.com
4. M3 Naturals Scrub
5. New York Biology
6. InstaNatural Face Spray
7. Smashbox Photo Finish
8. Skinfood Mask
9. Paula's Choice Perfecting
10. Aztec Secret
Born in Arizona, Gia is a writer and autodidact who fled the heat of the desert for California, where she enjoys drinking beer, overanalyzing the minutiae of life, and channeling Rick Steves. After arriving in Los Angeles a decade ago, she quickly nabbed a copywriting job at a major clothing company and derived years of editing and proofreading experience from her tenure there, all while sharpening her skills further with myriad freelance projects. In her spare time, she teaches herself French and Italian, has earned an ESL teaching certificate, traveled extensively throughout Europe and the United States, and unashamedly devours television shows and books. The result of these pursuits is expertise in fashion, travel, beauty, literature, textbooks, and pop culture, in addition to whatever obsession consumes her next.