Clean Up
Oily areas, most notably the T-zone, are usually home to the most noticeable pores. “They look larger when they’re clogged with oil, dead skin cells, pollution and makeup, so it’s very important to keep them clean,” says Jessica Wu, MD, assistant clinical professor of dermatology at the University of Southern California Medical School.
Dr. Wu suggests enlisting salicylic acid as your first line of defense. “This ingredient is attracted to oil, and works to dissolve and loosen it so it can be washed away,” she says. Try Origins Spot Remover acne treatment pads ($26.50) to exfoliate and unclog pores with salicylic acid, clove, and oregano.
If you’re plagued with sensitive skin and clogged pores, start with a low concentration of salicylic acid (0.05 percent) and apply a thin layer only to the affected areas. Those with more tolerant skin can use a formula with 2 percent salicylic acid.
Be Gentle
Deep-cleaning your skin is good, but sandblasting it to oblivion isn’t better. Steer clear of anything made with scratchy pieces; look instead for scrubs that contain smooth beads, like jojoba. If even those feel too harsh and abrasive, says cosmetic chemist Ni’Kita Wilson, look for chemical exfoliants made with glycolic or lactic acids rather than physical scrubs.
Wilson warns against over-scrubbing and irritating your skin. Some people can tolerate daily exfoliation, while others might need to maintain only a weekly schedule.
Brushes like the Clarisonic offer another method of gentle exfoliation. These devices often use sonic vibration to loosen debris from clogged pores. Dr. Wu cautions against pressing down while using the device, however — adding too much muscle will only cause harm.
Hit the Bottle
Astringent toners can help temporarily reduce the look of enlarged pores and help keep them clear in the long run. They do away with surface oil, preventing it from pooling in your pores and, essentially, creating magnifying glasses that make these openings appear larger. For a quick fix, Wilson favors toners made with witch hazel. TryNeutrogena Pore Refining Toner($6.39), which contains witch hazel, glycolic acid and salicylic acid.
Join the Strip Club
When they debuted, Bioré Deep Cleansing Pore Strips ($7.49) provided us with a fascinating (and, frankly, disgusting) way to get a look at the gunk clogging our pores. The strips aren’t high-tech: Adhesives in the strip grab onto whatever is in your pores and pull it out when you yank. Although this is an effective blackhead-removal system, the strips can be irritating; Dr. Wu cautions against using them more than once or twice a week.
Stay Shady
Do we really need to reiterate that smoking and sun exposure are the evil twins that will do in your skin? In addition to causing cancer and wrinkles, these enemies of the epidermis also damage collagen and elastin, the components that give your skin firmness and structure. Without support from collagen and elastin, your pores have wider openings and look larger. Consider it one more reason to stay vigilant about sun protection — and not to smoke.
Go Pro
When at-home remedies don’t seem to cut it, Wilson suggests you make an appointment with your dermatologist for a peel or in-office treatment. Chemical peels made with lactic and salicylic acids help to remove blackheads, says Dr. Wu, who also suggests IPL photofacials. “They can help temporarily shrink oil glands through some action of the light wavelength,” she says. “We don’t know how it works, exactly, but it can help reduce oiliness and therefore pore size for a couple of weeks.”
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