The market is saturated with products that claim to shrink your pores or even make them disappear. Unfortunately, there is no magic potion that can permanently reduce your pore size. Research has proven that our skin’s natural pore size is genetic and permanent.
While you can’t tighten enlarged pores, the good news is you can make them appear smaller. The right foundation type, finish and texture can actually improve the appearance of your pores and refine your skin texture. Continue reading to discover how you can achieve flawless, smooth skin with the help of makeup.
What causes enlarged pores?
Other than your genetic pore size, dead skin, facial oil and excess sebum can get trapped in your pores which can stretch it out and enlarge them. In terms of something you can control, frequent usage of harsh, pore-removing products like pore strips can also traumatize and stretch out your pores.
Additionally, sun damage and dry skin can also exaggerate pore size, so do take care of these things that you may be doing.
Is liquid or powder foundation better for large pores?
Just like how an oily, shiny complexion can emphasise the appearance of pores, a luminous or dewy foundation that can reflect light will make pores more visible.
The best foundation formula to go for is a matte but non-drying finish, which can be found in either liquid or powder foundations. A super matte and drying formula can actually do more harm than good as it can settle into your pores and lines, making them more visible to the naked eye.
Table of Contents
Correct as you cover with Clinique’s Even Better Makeup. The non-comedogenic and allergy-tested foundation is packed with vitamin C and antioxidants to brighten acne scars, dark spots, hyperpigmentation and dull skin. With a smooth and creamy texture, it lays naturally on your skin without settling into your pores.
Drugstore foundation formulas get a bad rep for being cakey and heavy. But Maybelline has flipped that stereotype around with their Fit Me! Matte + Poreless Liquid Foundation! The lightweight and blurring formula is infused with micro-powders to give you that natural, soft matte flawless finish.
As we age, our skin will start to sag which causes our pores to enlarge. While the change in skin texture is inevitable, the Lightful C Naturally Flawless Foundation can help reduce the appearance of large pores and fine lines. The nourishing formula hydrates, treats and covers the skin for that naturally radiant, youthful glow.
Rihanna had oily skin and large pores, hence why she created the Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation to tackle those issues. Her foundation is created with climate-adaptive technology to control facial oil, minimize the appearance of pores and provide long-lasting full-coverage wear. Hence, it’s a perfect fit especially for those of us living in warmer climates.
Always on the go? Perfect your skin in a single step with It Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Airbrush Perfecting Powder. It contains optical-blurring pigments, hydrolyzed silk, collagen, niacin and peptides to diffuse and treat your pores and imperfections. The results resembles that of silky smooth canvas.
Got a special event coming up? Look your best with Becca’s Ultimate Coverage 24 Hour Foundation. This long-wearing foundation provides full yet lightweight coverage that’s practically budge-proof. It can correct redness, acne, hyperpigmentation and also smoothen out the skin’s bumps and pores.
Pat McGrath’s Skin Fetish Sublime Perfection Foundation might be on the pricier side, but hear us out. The formula contains Vita-Serum Complex and Diamond Core Powder Technology to treat and blur wrinkles as well as enlarged pores and other skin flaws. And what do you get? A perfected, youthful complexion that’s ready for the world.
Struggling with that not-so-cute greasy T-zone? Don’t worry, the Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15 Foundation can fix just that. This matte and smoothing foundation has a long-wearing and high coverage formula to create a soft and airbrushed finish. It can help neutralize and improve the appearance of pores, fine lines and other imperfections.
With Bourjois Air Max 24-Hr Foundation, every day is a good skin day. The affordable foundation promises to provide long-lasting good coverage for up to 24 hours while being lightweight. It also gives your skin a natural matte and blurred finish that will not cause dryness, cakiness or separation.
Oily T-zone? Dry cheeks? Fret not! The Make Up For Ever’s Matte Velvet Skin Blurring Powder Foundation has a skin-like, non-cakey powder formula that can suit any skin type. It has a two-sided sponge that allows you to control the level of coverage and give your skin an airbrushed and flawless finish with no pore to be seen.
With Tarte’s Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Full Coverage Foundation, your dry skin and large pores are saved. The self-adjusting foundation’s formula can detect your skin type and adapt to it. High coverage, long-wearing and lightweight, it can cover as well as blur imperfections and pores for a flawless finish.
It can be difficult to juggle between wrinkle care and pore care. Luckily, Pretty Vulgar’s Bird’s Nest Blurring Beauty Mousse can help you tackle both at the same time. The multitasking foundation acts as an anti-aging moisturiser, primer and foundation. It’s formulated with diamond powder to help improve the appearance of fine lines and large pores.
Full coverage foundations are typically drying and can accentuate pores, bumpy skin and lines, but not the Dior Forever Foundation. Formulated with pansy extract, rosehip extract and beautifying pigments, this hydrating and soothing foundation can cover up acne, spots, pores and other flaws without drying the skin out.