Make large pores appear smaller?
It's hard when you're so unhappy with the state of your skin that covering up seems the only way to go, and ironic that the very oil you're struggling with is nature's own moisturizer (which will serve you well later, so take heart!). As far as invisible pores, I suspect you've been flipping through one too many fashion magazines and thus fallen victim to airbrushed and retouched standards of beauty. Well I'm here to set you free! Put on your glasses, take a look around (at anyone past the age of, say, 25) and you'll see pores; they're a fact of life.
Nonetheless, pores can often seem enlarged when they're blocked with oil. So working to reduce that oil blockage may result in the appearance of smaller pores. I suggest two plans of attack: Make changes in your beauty habits and diet that may affect oil levels in your skin and try some makeup application tips that may better camouflage the appearance of large pores. Here's what I recommend:
Wash your face twice a day with a pore-refining cleanser.
Eliminate processed foods, especially those containing trans-fatty acids. Instead choose "good" fat such as extra virgin olive oil. (Get the lowdown on the whole good fat/bad fat thing at iVillage Diet & Fitness.)
Eat lots of fresh fish, vegetables and fruit, especially cantaloupe and berries.
For makeup coverage, dot on a light, oil-free foundation. Apply it only where you need it -- the sides of the nose, forehead and chin, for example.
Use matte powder or blotting sheets on those shiny areas.
Lastly, talk to your dermatologist to find out if you're a candidate for tretinoin, a prescription drug widely knows as Retin-A thatt can help unclog pores.
I have an amazing array of recommended products this week for treating large pores.
