According to scientific studies, the size of your pores is determined by your age, gender, ethnicity, skin type, and genetics. In a multiethnic study on facial skin pores done by Flament et al., women in the western parts of the world were found to have considerably larger pores compared to Asians.
Still, within the Asian population, we see people with large pores. With this, dermatologists are often faced with the challenge of finding effective ways to reduce pore size. It is scientifically impossible to have poreless skin but there are methods you can follow to minimize it.
A good start is through getting the right pore-minimizing products from cleanser, toner, serum, moisturizer, sunscreen to masks. In this article, we give you a sample skincare routine that will do the trick for minimizing pores. To start off, let’s discuss cleansers.
Cleanser: Kanebo Suisai Beauty Clear Powder Wash
Source: Kanebo Cosmetics
You begin your daily skincare regimen by washing your face. This is an important part of maintaining clear skin. When finding the perfect cleanser, pick one that is fragrant-fee, coloring-free, and anti-comedogenic like Kanebo Suisai’s powder wash. Go for products with ingredients that are rich in enzymes and amino acids. These help the skin remain hydrated.
Toner: Dickinson's Original Witch Hazel Pore Perfecting Toner
Source: Dickinson’s
Some people would jump to moisturizing after cleansing, leaving an important step behind: toning. When you do this, you deprive your skin of the toner’s benefit of closing pores and tightening cell gaps. So never forget to tone right after cleansing.
When finding a toner, make sure to pick a product with natural ingredients like witch hazel, aloe, chamomile, rose, or green tea. This type of toner doesn’t overdry the skin and helps give the natural balance it deserves.
Exfoliator: Pixi Glow Tonic
Source: Pixi
Skin tonics help to restore the skin’s natural balance. It has three types: astringents, skin tonics, and fresheners. Tonics are delicate to the skin just like this gentle exfoliating tonic, Pixi Glow.
When finding one, consider buying something that has glycolic acid, ginseng, or aloe vera. These ingredients are known to keep oil at bay. You can use tonics at night and in the morning.
Serum: Apple Cider Vinegar Serum with Vitamin C, E, Tomato and Aloe Vera Extract
Source: Skin Genie
Face serums are skincare products with a very high concentration of active ingredients often made to target skin concerns like wrinkles and aging, or large pores and oily skin. Because it is made up of tiny molecules, this product penetrates deeply into the skin.
A mash-up of apple cider vinegar, vitamin c and e, tomato extract, and aloe vera extract, Skin Genie’s apple cider vinegar is an example of a serum that promotes even skin tone and reduces dark spots and blemishes. Serums are generally used at night, but in some cases, it can also be used in the morning.
Moisturizer: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel with Hyaluronic Acid for Dry Skin
Source: Neutrogena
Since ancient times, people have been searching for ways to moisturize the skin. Native people had primarily used olive oil, but this was a method as expensive as gold. As an alternative, people from the working class would have had likely boiled animal fats.
Now in the modern era, the trend in moisturizers is very different than before. Although there are still oil-based moisturizers, the most popular ones today are water-based and oil-free, such as Neutrogena’s Hydro Boost Water Gel. Non-comedogenic moisturizers don’t clog pores, so it’s good for people who desire to minimize pores.
Sunscreen: Bioré UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF 50+
Source: Amazon
Some women, especially those who have large pores are probably scared of putting too many products on their face. The most excluded, if not ignored, product is sunscreen. This is understandable since most sunscreens sold in the market today are oil-based, sticky, and often leave a film like-feeling on the skin. But this is not the case for Bioré UV Aqua Rich: a cooling water-based sunscreen.
Hyaluronic acid and vitamin C are the main ingredients of this sunscreen: substances that give a plum and glowing effect. This type of sunscreen requires no special cleanser since it is removed by even the most gentle cleanser.
Mask: Innisfree Super Volcanic Pore Clay Mask
Source: Innisfree
On days when you think your skin has just had enough of the stress, dirt, and pollution, masks may work wonders to bring back your skin’s glow. In the market today, there are two types of masks sold: face masks and clay masks. Clay masks are more economical than face masks, but face masks are considered to be more convenient than the other type.
Whichever your preference, masks can detoxify your skin such as Innisfree’s Super Volcanic pore clay mask. Enriched with Jeju volcanic clusters, this mask is exploding with benefits like pore tightening, sebum removal, exfoliating, blackhead removal, and deep cleansing.
You can use clay masks or any other masks at least once and at most twice a week. 
There you have it. This is the specialized skincare routine you can try for a minimized pores, free from dead skin cells and sebum.
Let us know if this has done the trick in minimizing your pores too! Share your thoughts in the comments section below.