The 7 best pore minimizers, from serums to a blurring primer

Key takeaways

• You can’t permanently shrink your pores, which are mostly set by genetics, but you can make them look smaller. Cleveland Clinic and the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) both point to retinoids, exfoliating acids and daily sunscreen.

• Our top pick is the Resurfacing Compound from U Beauty, a multitasking serum that pairs exfoliating acids with a Retinol Ester and Vitamin C.

• For a single-ingredient option, Paula’s Choice CLINICAL Niacinamide 20% Treatment focuses on the look of enlarged pores and rough texture.

• Salicylic acid (a BHA) is oil-soluble, so it can clear out pores, while a silicone primer only blurs them until you wash it off.

• Give any pore product several weeks, and wear SPF 30 or higher every day.

How to choose a pore minimizer

Pores look bigger when they’re filled with oil and debris, and when the skin around them loses firmness. Cleveland Clinic says pore size is mostly down to genetics, so “you can’t permanently shrink them,” but you can minimize how they look. The AAD recommends a product with retinol or retinyl palmitate, a salicylic acid cleanser, daily sunscreen and gentle exfoliation, and advises against picking or scrubbing. Our guide to minimizing the look of pores covers the habits that help.

The main ingredient types:

• Retinoids, such as retinol and retinyl palmitate, which the AAD recommends applying at bedtime.

• Salicylic acid, an oil-soluble BHA. Our guide to AHA vs BHA explains how it differs from glycolic acid.

• Niacinamide, often used for the look of oiliness and pores. Our guide to what niacinamide does covers the research.

• Primers, which fill in pores temporarily with silicones for a smoother-looking base.

A 2023 review in the *Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology* looked at 19 trials on treatments for facial pores and found that combining approaches tended to work best.

We compared each product on its published ingredient list, not on hands-on testing. We looked at the main pore ingredients and their strengths where the brand states them, whether fragrance is listed, the brand’s directions, any published study figures and the price.

1. U Beauty Resurfacing Compound: best overall

U Beauty describes the Resurfacing Compound as its holy-grail multitasking serum. The multitasking serum combines the benefits of up to 8 skincare steps in one formula, pairing a blend of exfoliating acids (Glycolic, Mandelic and Lactobionic Acids) with Retinyl Palmitate, a Retinol Ester, and Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, a form of Vitamin C, all powered by proprietary SIREN Capsule Technology™. U Beauty says it’s designed to help visibly improve the look of pores, uneven-looking texture and discoloration for glass-like skin.

Key features:

• Acids, a Retinol Ester and Vitamin C in 1 step. It’s applied all over the face after cleansing, before moisturizer, morning, evening or both.

• Published study figures. In an independent 30-volunteer instrumental study, 96% saw a reduction in the look of pore size after 15 days of consistent use, once a day, according to U Beauty.

• Three sizes. It comes in 15 ml, 30 ml and 50 ml.

Tradeoff: at $228 for 50 ml it has the highest price tag here, and it contains a fragrance ingredient, methyldihydrojasmonate. U Beauty suggests evening-only use if irritation occurs at first, and SPF whenever you go outside.

Best for: people who want one serum that combines the benefits of an exfoliating acid, a Retinol Ester and Vitamin C, allowing a longer routine to get shorter.

Price: $88 for 15 ml, $148 for 30 ml or $228 for 50 ml.

2. Paula’s Choice CLINICAL Niacinamide 20% Treatment: best niacinamide pick

Paula’s Choice CLINICAL Niacinamide 20% Treatment is a concentrated serum with 20% niacinamide, plus acetyl glucosamine, a vitamin C derivative and licorice root extract. There’s no fragrance in its ingredient list.

Key features:

• 20% niacinamide. It’s the highest stated niacinamide strength on this list.

• Made for pores and texture. Paula’s Choice says it minimizes the look of enlarged pores and rough, orange-peel-like texture. In an eight-week study of 21 people, 95% agreed their pores looked smaller, based on self-assessment.

• Once or twice daily. The brand says to use a few drops after cleansing, toning and exfoliating, with SPF 30 or higher during the day.

Tradeoff: at $59 for 0.67 fl oz, about $88 an ounce, it’s the most expensive per ounce after U Beauty.

Best for: people who want a single, high-strength niacinamide treatment.

Price: $59 for 0.67 fl oz.

3. Medik8 Press & Clear: best exfoliating toner

Medik8 Press & Clear is a daily toner with 2% encapsulated salicylic acid and 2% tranexamic acid. Medik8 says it has no artificial fragrance.

Key features:

• 2% salicylic acid. The BHA helps clear oil and debris from pores.

• Published study figures. In a four-week consumer study of 50 people with sensitive, congested skin, Medik8 reports visibly reduced pores in 14 days, and 96% found it gentle.

• Refill available. A refill is $33.

Tradeoff: Medik8 recommends a 24-hour patch test and says to start once a day before building to twice.

Best for: oily or congested skin that wants a gentle BHA toner.

Price: $38 for 5 fl oz.

4. La Roche-Posay Effaclar Supramolecular Oil & Pores Correct Mattifying Moisturizer: best mattifying moisturizer

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Supramolecular Oil & Pores Correct Mattifying Moisturizer combines salicylic acid and niacinamide in a lightweight moisturizer that La Roche-Posay describes as pore-minimizing and mattifying.

Key features:

• Salicylic acid and niacinamide. It covers two pore ingredients in a moisturizer step.

• Oil control. La Roche-Posay reports 45% less excess shine after 12 hours, from an instrumental test on 25 people.

• Morning or evening. La Roche-Posay says to apply it in gentle circular motions, morning and/or evening.

Tradeoff: it contains fragrance, and La Roche-Posay doesn’t state the strength of either active ingredient.

Best for: oily skin that wants to cut shine and treat pores in one step.

Price: $25.99.

5. CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum: best budget retinol

CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum has encapsulated retinol, niacinamide, licorice root extract and three ceramides. CeraVe labels it free of added fragrance and says it helps minimize the look of pores.

Key features:

• Encapsulated retinol. The AAD names retinol among the ingredients that make pores less noticeable.

• Ceramides and niacinamide. They’re in the base alongside the retinol.

• Low price. It’s $21.99 for 1 fl oz.

Tradeoff: CeraVe doesn’t state the retinol percentage, it’s for night use only, and CeraVe says to wear sunscreen while using it.

Best for: people who want to try a retinoid for pores on a budget.

Price: $21.99 for 1 fl oz.

6. The INKEY List Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA) Serum: best budget BHA

The INKEY List Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA) Serum has 2% salicylic acid, 1% hyaluronic acid and zinc PCA. The INKEY List labels it fragrance-free and vegan.

Key features:

• 2% salicylic acid. That’s the highest salicylic acid strength the FDA allows in over-the-counter acne products.

• Low price. It’s $14 for 30 ml, the second-lowest price here.

• Gradual start. The brand suggests two to three times a week at first.

Tradeoff: The INKEY List advises against using it in the same routine as AHAs, other BHAs, vitamin C or retinol, and says results can take six to eight weeks.

Best for: oily skin that wants an inexpensive salicylic acid serum.

Price: $14 for 30 ml.

7. e.l.f. Poreless Putty Primer: best for instant blurring

e.l.f. Poreless Putty Primer is a water-based primer with dimethicone and squalane that fills in the look of pores under makeup. It’s vegan, and no fragrance is listed.

Key features:

• Instant blur. It smooths the look of pores as soon as you put it on.

• Makeup base. e.l.f. suggests a thin layer after sunscreen, left to set for 30 seconds before foundation.

• Lowest sticker price. It’s $11 for 0.74 oz.

Tradeoff: it only changes how pores look while you’re wearing it, and it washes off at the end of the day.

Best for: a smoother-looking base under makeup, alongside a treatment product.

Price: $11.

How to use a pore minimizer

• Pair a treatment with sunscreen. Cleveland Clinic and the AAD both recommend daily sunscreen, since sun exposure can make pores look larger over time. Our list of mineral sunscreens has gentle options.

• Start slowly with acids and retinoids. Use them a few times a week at first, and don’t layer several strong ingredients on the same night.

• Wash gently. The AAD advises against scrubbing, which can irritate skin and make pores look more noticeable.

• Don’t squeeze. The AAD says picking or squeezing irritates skin, which makes pores look more noticeable. Our guide to getting rid of blackheads covers what helps instead.

• Give it time. Most brands suggest two to eight weeks before judging results.

Frequently asked questions

Can you actually shrink your pores?

Not permanently. Cleveland Clinic says pore size is mostly genetic, but retinoids, exfoliating acids and sunscreen can make pores look smaller.

What is the best product for reducing the look of pores?

It depends on your skin. A retinoid or salicylic acid product tends to help most over time, while a primer blurs pores instantly. The Resurfacing Compound from U Beauty and Paula’s Choice CLINICAL Niacinamide 20% Treatment are two strong options.

Does niacinamide shrink pores?

It may help reduce the look of pores and oiliness. Paula’s Choice CLINICAL Niacinamide 20% Treatment is made for this.

Why do my pores look bigger?

Oil, debris and loss of firmness around the pore can all make pores look larger. Sun exposure and picking can add to it.

Do scrubs help with pores?

Usually not. The AAD advises against scrubbing, which can irritate skin, and a gentle chemical exfoliant is usually a better choice.