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Who doesn't want flawless skin? There are many things you can do to help your skin look less flawed even radiant. Below are 5 steps to make the most of your skin and reduce the size of your pores.

Clean and Tone
Clean twice daily with a gentle cleaner to help regain a good ph balance to your skin. Neutrogena's Deep Clean Facial Cleanser and Aveda's All-Sensitive Cleanser (5 oz, approximately $20) are both good choices. With a soft cloth, use warm water to gently wash in soft circles from your neck up to your forehead. Be extra careful around the eyes and try to avoid direct contact with the delicate eye area. Rinse with cold water to further reduce the size of the pores. Pat your face dry with a soft towel. While the face is still damp, spray Aveda's Botanical Kinetics Toning Mist (5 oz, approximately $17) or use a cotton ball to apply Neutrogena's Alcohol Free Toner. Both are recommended choices for cleaning and toning. Over time, toning actually helps the pores appear smaller.

Exfoliate
Every other day gently exfoliate using Botanical Kinetics Skin Firming/Toning Agent by Aveda (5 oz, approximately $17). Do not over-exfoliate since this can sometimes irritate more sensitive skin. Lacome's 'Exfoliance Clart' Clarifying Exfoliating Gel (5 oz, approximately $23) is more like an exfoliant and a mask all in one!

Mask
Masks are a must to help firm and tone the skin and help retain smaller pores. However, I would recommend a mask at a maximum of once a week. Masks tend to be a bit harsh on the skin. Avon Naturals Tea Tree & Grapefruit Deep Pore Peel Off Mask 5 oz is approximately $6 and very effective.

Moisturizer with Sunscreen
Moisturizers and sunscreen go hand in hand. Some sunscreens tend to be overly oily and can clog pores. If you do use a sunscreen separately, be sure to buy one with an SPF of at least 15 even during the non-summer months and/or cloudy days. Often times the sun's rays are strongest in the early spring months. If you do choose to use a sunscreen with a good moisturizer you get a double-bonus. Although sunscreen is generally only needed for the daytime, I would recommend apply it in the evening as well so it can penetrate your skin and do double duty the next morning. Good Moisturizers with sunscreen include Lancme 'Aqua Fusion Teint' Continuous Infusing Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20 (4.2 oz. approximately $37) or Aveda's Tourmaline Charged Protecting Lotion SPF 15/Oil-Free (2.5 oz, $38)

Buy Good Eye Make Up Remover
Eye make up is probably the biggest culprit in clogging up pores around the eyes and making them larger. For this reason it is imperative to use a good eye make up remover that truly does remove the make-up thoroughly without leaving any oily residue. Lancme 'Bi-Facil' Double-Action Eye Makeup Remover (4.2 oz., approximately $24) is phenomenal.

Use these 5 steps: Clean and Tone, Exfoliate, Mask, Moisturize with Sunscreen, Buy Good Eye Make up Remover, and I can practically guarantee that within 3 weeks you'll notice a huge improvement in the appearance and size of your skins pores. Your skin will lose a lot of its dullness and look firmer and more radiant.

The biggest plus, these steps feel like you're giving yourself a spa treatment every night and don't we all deserve just a little bit of pampering?

Learn more about this author, Ellen Brand.
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