by Janeen Elite

Created on: May 21, 2009

While pore size is usually a hereditary trait and pores can't actually be reduced in size, there are luckily many ways you can make them appear smaller and tighter.

The following steps are great ways for making your skin look as flawless as if you were born with smaller pores naturally.

Keeping Your Skin Clean.

The most important thing you need to do to minimize pore appearance is keeping your skin clean. Excess oil or dirt in your pores can make them appear larger. Wash your face at least twice a day, once in the morning and before you go to bed at night. (Never go to sleep with your makeup on.) There are quite a few products that you can use that are gentle on your skin but also remove extra dirt. Olay Regenerist Pore Scrub or Neutrogena Pore Refining Cleanser are just two of the products you can try.

Exfoliate.

The second thing to do is exfoliate at least once or twice a week. There are special facial scrubs you can purchase that go deeper than usual in getting excess oil and dirt out. Biore and Olay both have scrubs that are not only gentle on your skin but leave your skin moisturized as well.

Use a Face Mask.

Face masks are also known to do wonders in tightening the skin. These typically shouldn't be used more than once a week however, because they can then have the opposite effect of making your skin too dry.

Pore Strips.

Sometimes, the most troublesome and hardest pores to get cleaned are the ones on your nose. You will be amazed at how much dirt can try to hide there. Biore makes pore strips that you dampen and put across your nose. After approximately 10 minutes when you pull the strip off, you may be amazed at how much you see on the strips. The good news is that your pores on that area will look immediately better.

Apply a Pore Minimizing Skin Re-Smoother.

L'Oreal Skin Genesis has recently come out with a just such a product that I personally swear by. I use it once in the morning and once before I go to bed and you can see the results almost immediately. I apply it right after a shower, then follow up with a moisturizer and then put on my foundation. It not only helps my pores look smaller but keeps the foundation from getting deep into the pores which helps my face look smoother all day long.

If you decide not to go with the re-smoother, than you can try using an astringent or toner. This too will help shrink pores and should be used before applying makeup. Be careful however, because some toners and astringents are drying and can cause your skin to actually produce more oil to try and compensate.

Try a Home Remedy.

There are two different home remedies you can try that can help as well. The first is making a mask out of egg white and teaspoon of lemon juice. Whip the two into a lather, apply it to your face until it dries and tightens then rinse off with cool water.

The second home remedy is using a tomato mask. There are two different ways you can use this. Simply cut up tomato slices and apply to your face for about 10 minutes, or drain the juice and seeds from the slices, mash in a pulp and apply.

Take It to the Next Level.

If you find that the above solutions aren't doing the trick you can take it a step further and have professional procedures done that can help the situation.

Microdermabrasion.

This procedure can be done in your doctor's office. It works to gradually remove dead surface skin cells which helps minimize pore and creates a much smoother complexion.

Try a Photofacial.

Photofacials use Intense Pulse Light that promotes new collagen growth. This tightens the skin and reduces the size of large pores. It might take a few visits over a six month period, but it can also really be worth the time spent.

Learn more about this author, Janeen Elite.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.