You can't really shrink pores. Pore size is largely hereditary, and pores may get bigger as you age. While you can't generally change the actual size of your pores, you can usually minimize their appearance. Proper skin care, a healthy diet, proper use of makeup, and drinking plenty of water can all help you minimize the appearance of your pores.
Proper skin care can be one of the best ways to shrink pores. People with big pores often have oily skin. When natural skin oils accumulate in pores, they appear bigger. Keeping your skin clean and free of excess oil is one way to minimize the appearance of large pores.
Keeping your skin well moisturized can help to minimize the appearance of large pores. Skin that is allowed to become too dry can sometimes produce too much oil, making pores appear larger. Pore-minimizing moisturizers and cleansers typically contain retinol, collagen, elastin, and vitamin C. These nutrients are said to effectively shrink pores.
Exfoliating your skin regularly is said to help minimize the appearance of large pores. Microdermabrasion can help shrink pores by removing dead cells from the surface of your skin. Anti-aging skin creams and cleansers can help minimize the appearance of your pores as you age. Products containing retinol, collagen, and vitamin C are generally recommended for their pore-minimizing qualities.
Eating a diet rich in vitamins and minerals can help keep your skin healthy and minimize the appearance of large pores. A diet rich in antioxidants can help slow the signs of aging, including the development of larger pores. A low-fat, low-sugar diet is generally recommended to help shrink pores as you age.
Drinking plenty of water is also considered to be crucial to minimizing the appearance of pores. Water helps to keep the skin flexible and elastic. It can also help to keep the body free of toxins, which is generally considered to be of great benefit in approving the appearance of the skin.
Applying makeup properly can help you hide the appearance of large pores. A skin primer can help keep your foundation makeup from filling your pores and making them look larger. A concealer that matches your natural skin tone can serve the same purpose. Cream foundations are considered more effective at hiding large pores than liquid foundations. Applying a translucent face powder as a final step can help minimize the appearance of large pores.