Move over BB cream – there’s a new fad sweeping countertops, and it’s here to clog your pores! More women are adding “pore fillers” to their daily skincare agenda, hoping to blur or erase pores from their complexion completely. However, much like BB creams, you can file these under “unnecessary skincare”.

While you might envision pores as tiny potholes that a small “fill” can fix, you’ll only be creating a bigger problem – a bigger pore! Here’s why: Your pores are responsible for oil production – they help produce the protective hydrolipidic barrier your skin needs to stay healthy and balanced.

Some people owe their large pores to genetics – they inherited an oily skin type, so they have larger pores to accommodate more oil production. Others acquired larger pores as a result of prolonged congestion. Once a buildup of dirt, oil, and dead skin has stretched a pore, there’s no way to shrink it back to its original size.

While the reason behind having larger pores can vary from person to person, it’s physiologically impossible to close your pores –  there aren’t muscles to make them expand or contract. All you can do is minimize their appearance, and filling pores with a product that promises to blur, erase, or make them disappear altogether is the exact opposite of what should be done to help make them look smaller! “Fillers” only add more dirt, debris, and oil to your skin, making your pore problem worse.

The best way to minimize pore appearance is to ensure they are clear of product and dirt. Here’s your 4-step at-home agenda for tiny-looking pores:

1. Cleanse – Give pores a deep clean with a cleanser that’s appropriate for your skin type. Doing so will ensure your skin is clear of any debris that can clog pores, and emphasize their appearance.
2. Exfoliate – Your skin naturally sheds dead skin cells, completely regenerating once every 30 days. As you age, this process slows, and can lead to clogged pores – an issue that will not only make pores appear larger, but also stretch them so they actually are larger! Rev up your skin’s natural exfoliation process and uncover a more radiant complexion with a leave-on exfoliator like Quick Refiner or manual microdermabrasion like Pumice Peel. Both will keep pores clear.
3. Treat – For stubborn pores, don’t rely on skin-damaging pore strips to remove impurities. Instead, reach for a clay-based facial mask with balancing plant extracts that acts as a vacuum to draw out pore-clogging debris and replenish hydration. For a deep pore purge, apply a stimulating, exfoliating mask 7 days in a row to eliminate impurities.
4. Control – Keep pores clear throughout the day by balancing oil production at the source and absorbing excess oil at your skin’s surface with an oil control mattifier.

Stop treating your pores like potholes, filling them with products that claim to make them vanish – it’s impossible! Remember: if a miracle product that promises vanishing pores sounds too good to be true, it probably is.