Gretchen: My hairline is so weird.

Regina: My pores are huge.

Karen: My nail beds suck.

Cady: …I have really bad breath in the morning.

Okay, it may be overdone, but it’s a classic. This scene in Mean Girls is familiar to anyone who has ever stared a little too long in the mirror, leaning over the sink to inspect something further. Today, we are here to tackle what Regina puts forth, huge pores.

Pores are a passageway between the inside and outside of the body. They help keep the skin naturally lubricated and allow it to breathe. Because they are a passageway, they can clog with dirt, oil, and bacteria, which often leads to blemishes. Additionally, with age, sun exposure, or even picking at your skin, pores can appear more prominent as collagen breaks down.

So, the reality is you cannot permanently alter the size of your pores, but you can significantly minimize their appearance by taking active care of your skin. Below are five ways to do just that.

Diligently Cleanse

We are starting off with an easy one–Be sure to wash your face at least twice daily. Cleansing regularly helps prevent the buildup of sweat, dirt, oil, and bacteria and keeps the appearance of pores to a minimum. And while we are here, remember to wash your face before and after each time you workout. Pores are surrounded by blood vessels that can dilate during exercise, making them more open and susceptible to clogging. So, remove makeup before working out and wash off the sweat after. One upside, because your pores are so open, the products you are applying will have a deeper impact.

Incorporate Acids

Although you can schedule a professional chemical peel, some of the acids they employ can be used at home and incorporated into your skincare routine. Acids are a form of exfoliation and have two categories, AHAs (glycolic acid, lactic acid, and mandelic acid.) and BHAs (salicylic acid). Each helps to break down dead skin cells and the contents clogging pores. Your skin type determines how often you should exfoliate, but repetition will show results.

Apply Sunscreen

Applying sunscreen is a critical step in most skin care routines and tutorials. Wearing sunscreen protects your skin from UV rays which cause free radicals that lead to the breakdown of collagen and elastin. If you want plump, taut, smooth, glowy skin, collagen and elastin are vital. Without these two, the skin can sag, making pores appear more prominent. Finish your morning routine with broad-spectrum SPF 30 or above and reapply every few hours if you are spending time outdoors.

Weekly Mask

Clay and charcoal masks help dig up and clear out dirt and oil buildup. Similar to incorporating acids into your skincare routine, the schedule you set for doing a mask should reflect your skin type. But remember, the effects of masking are temporary and long-term use yields better results.

Next Level Pores

Many people concerned with the size of their pores turn to any of the following solutions: Botox, micro Botox, fillers, laser treatment, microneedling, radiofrequency, etc. But these procedures are invasive, uncomfortable, and don’t consistently deliver the results you deserve.

Dermaclara is a non-invasive, chemical-free, pregnancy-safe alternative. We are designed for life-long use and guarantee results. Our silicone patches create a microclimate that boosts moisture and collagen production, tightening the skin and smoothing out your pores.

Effortless, buoyant skin is achievable with Dermaclara. And for those of you leaning into the mirror or clutching that magnifying mirror, weighing your options on what to do, know that Dermaclara is the answer.

If only we could tell Regina George that! ;)