Aestheticians name their top products for tighter pores

Unfortunately, the size of our pores has been genetically determined—you can thank your parents or grandparents—and we can’t actually make them smaller, no matter how many peels, pore strips or clay masks we use to “shrink” them. As master aesthetician Amy McLain says, “The size of our pores is usually a touchy subject.” However, we can make them appear tighter and smaller with the help of efficacious products made with the right ingredients. (And of course a good steamy facial now and then will help too!)

“When it comes to pores, we can’t permanently change their size, but we can take measures to refine texture and improve their visibility,” says medical aesthetician Candace Marino. “Getting facials and keeping the skin clean is imperative for people concerned with large pores. When we deep-clean the skin and remove dead cellular debris that gets trapped in the pores, they become less dilated, clogged and visible.” These are 24 products recommended by top aestheticians to minimize the appearance of pores, from cleansers to peels and everything in between.

Jan Marini Skin Research Skin Zyme

“This mask is my absolute favorite. It melts away dead skin cells with gentle green papaya and hydrates with a touch of honey—the result is skin that feels soft, hydrated, smooth and balanced.” —Karen Fernandez