Don’t believe any product that tells you it can shrink your pores. Sure, certain astringents (pore-tighteners) can cause them to contract for a bit, but by the time you’ve set foot out the door, they’re back to the size they were.
To reduce the appearance (meaning the ‘obviousness’) of your pores, start by keeping them clean and clear with toners and moisturisers that contain beta hydroxy acids (BHAs), like salicylic acid. BHAs can get deep down inside your pores and exfoliate them from the inside out. If they’re clean, they’ll look smaller.
Before applying your make-up, Tamryn O’Dea, a professional make-up artist based in Cape Town, suggests you use a skin-perfecting primer. Most contain silicone, which will ‘fill’ them, as well as any fine lines, in. O’Dea’s favourite is Inglot Under Makeup Base, R219. ‘It absorbs oil and diffuses light to create the impression of flawless-looking skin,’ she says.
Inglot Under Make-up Base
Alternatively, you can spot treat the odd ‘large pore patch’, for example around your nose or on your forehead, with a spot treatment like The Body Shop Seaweed Pore Perfector, R85.
The Body Shop Seaweed Pore Perfector
As it’s a blend of silicones, it’ll help ‘fill in’ any fine lines and enlarged pores, while natural astringent (pore-tightening) ingredients like cinnamon and ginger help to create a temporary ‘toit’ effect.
6 Responses
The primer sounds nice
Inglot Under Make-up Base sounds perfect.
I might try Inglot, my current primer doesn’t make the pores appear smaller
Just what I’m looking for, something with silicones
The Seaweed Pore Perfector looks good
Something that I needed … Thanks for the product tips..