{"id":13437,"date":"2020-04-03T09:30:00","date_gmt":"2020-04-03T16:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https://www.realself.com\/news\/?p=13437"},"modified":"2021-04-02T11:21:31","modified_gmt":"2021-04-02T18:21:31","slug":"shrink-large-pores","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https://www.realself.com\/news\/shrink-large-pores","title":{"rendered":"Nothing Will Permanently Shrink Your Pores, but These Treatments Can Make Them Look Smaller"},"content":{"rendered":"

Modern beauty advancements have given us the ability to alter almost anything we wish. Longer lashes<\/a>, bigger breasts<\/a>, Margot Robbie’s exact shade of blonde… they’re all possible to achieve, if you have the time and money. But there are some things—namely, pore size—that just can’t be changed, no matter how many products at Sephora promise to do so. <\/p>

What causes large pores?<\/h2>

“When it comes to pores, you can’t really change them, considering they are genetically predetermined,” says Dr. Shari Sperling<\/a>, a board-certified dermatologist in Florham Park, New Jersey. But before you go lamenting your family tree for your enlarged pores<\/a>, keep in mind that they’re completely normal and come with a silver lining: bigger pores mean your skin likely produces more oil, and there’s evidence that oily skin shows fewer wrinkles<\/a> and other signs of aging<\/a>. But if that fact is of little comfort in the face of airbrushed skin-care ads and you’re desperate to get rid of your large pores, there are some things you can do to at least minimize the appearance. <\/p>

Find Doctors Near You<\/a><\/div>

First, be skeptical of products that claim to shrink large pores and primers that are geared toward smoothing out your complexion before foundation application. Since they can’t actually decrease your pore size, they often include silicone, a commonly used ingredient that is derived from silica and has been met with some controversy. While silicone gives formulas a silky, soft texture, these products are essentially filling your pores to create that smooth canvas. Silicones are also water-resistant<\/a> and can create a barrier to other products, making them harder to wash off. This can cause breakouts or irritation for some people. <\/p>

Dr. Arash Akhavan<\/a>, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City, says it’s important to remember that these products aren’t actually changing the size of your pores, just masking them so they’re less visible when makeup is applied. He adds that while silicone-based products can certainly help prepare your skin to look “flawless,” they should be avoided during times of high humidity or in situations where you’ll be sweating. When mixed with moisture, they can cause inflammation and clog pores in the long run.<\/p>

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