It’s a sad and inevitable fact of life that pores become more visible with age. The thing is, despite what many beauty companies will have you believe, you can not physically change the size of your pores. You can however minimise their appearance by keeping your complexion clean and improving its texture- the smoother the surface of your skin, the less visible your pores will be.
Cleanse thoroughly morning and evening with a cleansing brush or cloth and exfoliate regularly with a good AHA peeling product or a fine-grained scrub if you prefer. I’ve always had problematic pores but to put it lightly, time has not been kind. Attempting to camouflage these gaping holes with base makeup, no matter how great the coverage, will inevitably end in tears. Stubborn pores peeking cheekily from beneath a caky layer of foundation- not a good look.
Erasers or “fillers” are a wonderful, albeit temporary way to wipe away problematic pores. They’re essentially silicon-based primers that you apply before or after makeup to fill the holes and smooth the surface of the skin– and they work brilliantly. Just squeeze out a small amount and dab on to the problem areas using your fingers. Don’t rub the product in or use long sweeping actions and it will be less effective. What’s great is that they’re designed to absorb oils and give a matte finish, so if you don’t like using face powders, you can avoid them all together and still stay shine-free.
These six are super effective and include some great options that won’t break the bank.
Maybelline Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser
You know you’re on to a winner when you have the words “baby skin” and “instant” in the name of a complexion product. But what’s great is that this product actually works well. It’s non-comedogenic and fragrance-free and feels very light under foundation.
Benefit The Porefessional
This was one of the first pore products on the market. It created quite a buzz when it launched and it’s still a best seller today. It’s a silky formulation that can be used all over the face for a completely matte base. It’s also translucent so works well for all skin tones.
Lancôme La Base Pro Pore Eraser
This balm is meant to be used before your makeup, but I’ve found it works equally well when applied on top of it too. A pea-sized amount goes a long way and it really does extend the wear time of your makeup. Spread over any area where your makeup tends to slide- nose, cheeks, chin, forehead.
NYX Pore Filler
This is a cheap and cheerful product that doesn’t compromise on efficacy. Best used before your makeup to create a smooth canvas for your foundation, or alone for a naturally flawless look.
Dior Pore Minimizer
This is the Rolls Royce of pore primers. It has an ultra-fine texture that you can use on problem areas or all over your face if you have particularly oily skin. This fills pores, keeps skin matte and holds your makeup in place even in hot weather. Ten out of ten.
Smashbox Photo Finish Pore Minimizing Primer
When it comes to primers, Smashbox are a tour de force and this pore minimiser is no exception. It’s oil-free, lightweight and lasts for hours.
How do you deal with visible pores?
