How to Hide Large Pores

Large facial pores can really pull the spotlight away from your natural beauty 3. Compounding the problem, these pores are often located right in the middle of the face around the nose, cheeks and chin areas. While pores start out as barely visible, they enlarge over time due to age, skin damage, genetics and excess oil production. There may be nothing you can do to change the size of your pores, but there is plenty you can do to disguise their appearances.

Wash your face twice per day with a facial exfoliant that contains salicylic acid. This acid helps dissolve oil and dirt stuck in the pores, thus allowing them to shrink back to their normal size. Massage the exfoliant into the skin using your fingers for at least 30 to 60 seconds before rinsing clean with water.

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Apply a small amount of oil-free moisturizer onto your face using your fingers, making sure to rub it in thoroughly. Focus on the areas of skin that contain large pores 3. Don't apply too much moisturizer.

Apply a pea-sized amount of a silicone-based primer to your skin by gently rubbing it evenly over your face. Concentrate on areas with enlarged pores. The primer will fill them in and smooth out your skin's appearance.

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Use a makeup brush to pick up some powder-based foundation that matches your skin tone, then pat it onto your face. Gently patting the foundation on prevents the primer from rubbing off, which can occur with liquid foundations.

Blot your face with oil-absorbing sheets throughout the day to remove excess oil. If desired, you may instead apply a liquid oil-absorbing product under your makeup; this product is designed to absorb oil all day. Blotting papers and liquid oil absorbers are available at drugstores and makeup counters.

Tips

If you have oily skin, stop using cream-based moisturizers and other facial products; these products will clog pores and further exacerbate the problem.

If you have dry skin, avoid using harsh products that further dry out the skin; this causes your skin to overcompensate and create more oil.

Warnings

Do not use light-reflecting powders or foundations; these products can cause your pores to look even larger.