The 20 Best Pore Minimizers for Smooth Skin

Best Overall

Paula's Choice Resist Daily Treatment with 2 Percent BHA

$37 at Amazon $35 at Dermstore $37 at Paulaschoice.com

Key Ingredients: Salicylic acid, peptides, allantoin | Skin Type: Oily, acne-prone, combination | Size: 3 oz | SPF: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Paula's Choice is a fan-loved brand for many reasons, one being its exceptionally effective BHA toner. Containing 2% salicylic acid (a chemical exfoliator or AHA), plus antiaging peptides and soothing allantoin, the Pore-Refining Treatment sloughs away dead cells and replenishes the skin barrier. Besides clearing debris from your pores and strengthening your skin, this clever concoction plumps and boosts collagen production, creating a smoother complexion over time. Byrdie contributor and makeup artist Ashley Rebecca noticed that her pores looked smaller after just one use and that her skin was radiant and glowing.

Best Budget

InstaNatural 7% Glycolic AHA Toner

$14 at Amazon $19 at IHerb View on Instanatural.com

Key Ingredients: Glycolic acid, lactic acid, vitamin C, witch hazel | Skin Type: All | Size: 4 oz | SPF: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

This toner from InstaNatural dissolves sebum with AHA all-stars like glycolic acid and lactic acid. It then calls on witch hazel to balance oil production and vitamin C to tackle dullness. Just remember that with this many ingredients in the mix, sensitive skin might notice some slight irritation. To combat this, we recommend introducing the product into your routine slowly.

Best Drugstore

Bioderma Sébium

$26 at Amazon $26 at Target $24 at Dermstore

Key Ingredients: Silica powder, salicylic acid, agaric acid | Skin Type: Oily, combination | Size: 1 oz | SPF: No | Cruelty-Free: No

Bioderma's Sébium Pore Refiner dissolves dead skin cells with salicylic acid, then soaks up excess oil and sebum with silica powder. This French pharmacy favorite works well under makeup thanks to the formula's mattifying effect. It can be a little drying, though, so try adding a light gel moisturizer afterward.

Best Splurge

SkinBetter Science AlphaRet Clearing Serum

$135 at Skinbetter.com $25 at Ecosmetics.com

Key Ingredients: Glycolic acid, lactic acid, salicylic acid, niacinamide, retinol | Skin Type: Mature, oily, acne-prone, combination | Size: 1 oz | SPF: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

This fancy serum is one of Dr. Hayag's favorites. It’s loaded with skincare heroes, including retinoids, AHAs, and BHAs, and works to improve skin tone, texture, clarity, and pore size. "It also has multiple antioxidants alongside niacinamide and other moisturizing ingredients to prevent irritation," Dr. Hayag says.

Best Night Cream

RoC Retinol Correxion Night Cream

$19 at Amazon $22 at Target $24 at Ulta

Key Ingredients: Retinol, minerals | Skin Type: Dry, mature, oily, combination | Size: 1 oz | SPF: No | Cruelty-Free: No

RoC Retinol Correxion is your best bet for a night cream. As Dr. Hayag explains, "Retinoids have many functions, including clearing clogged pores, exfoliating dead skin cells, and improving the look of pores." Byrdie contributor Leigh Weingus also loves the cream, noting that she saw a reduction in fine lines within a week. However, like with any retinol product, it can take a while for your skin to adjust, so introduce the product slowly.

Read Full Review: I Tried RoC's Retinol Deep Wrinkle Night Cream to Reduce My Fine Lines and Acne

Best Cleanser

The INKEY List Salicylic Acid Cleanser

$13 at Amazon $13 at Sephora View on Theinkeylist.com

Key Ingredients: Salicylic acid, zinc, allantoin | Skin Type: Combination, oily, acne-prone | Size: 5 oz | SPF: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If you're just dipping your toes into the world of BHA skincare, this budget-friendly cleanser from The Inkey List is a great place to start. The mild foaming formula dislodges dead cells from your pores and minimizes excess sebum using salicylic acid, all while washing away the day and soothing irritation thanks to the addition of allantoin.

Best Toner

Perricone MD Intensive Pore Minimizing Toner

$39 at Amazon $49 at Nordstrom $45 at Dermstore

Key Ingredients: Salicylic acid, vitamin C, copper | Skin Type: Oily, combination | Size: 4 oz | SPF: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

After cleansing, reach for this pore-minimizing toner, which uses salicylic acid to exfoliate, refine, and control oil production while prepping your skin for the next step. Meanwhile, vitamin C works to reduce brown spots and boost radiance. Though some folks balk at its pungent smell, this almost makes us trust the no-nonsense formula even more.

Best Serum

Glossier Super Pure Serum with Niacinamide + Zinc

$34 at Sephora $34 at Glossier.com

Key Ingredients: Zinc, niacinamide | Skin Type: All | Size: 1 oz | SPF: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Formulated with inflammation-fighting zinc and acne-clearing niacinamide, Glossier Super Pure is said to combat sebum production and balance your complexion. "Niacinamide also helps the appearance of pores," says Dr. Hayag. Plus, the baby blue bottle looks really cute on any vanity. The one downside is that the serum’s thin and liquid-y, making it a little messy to apply.

Best Multitasker

Fenty Skin Fat Water Pore-Refining Toner Serum

$17 at Sephora View on Fentybeauty.com $30 at Kohls.com

Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, vitamin C, witch hazel, Japanese raisin tree | Skin Type: All | Size: 5 oz | SPF: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Who says you can't consolidate skincare steps? Fenty Fat Water is a toner-serum hybrid that balances oil production, fades dark spots, and fights shine using a potent cocktail of vitamin C, witch hazel, and Japanese raisin tree (a skin detoxifier). It also contains niacinamide, which Dr. Hayag says "increases ceramide biosynthesis and helps restore the skin's moisture barrier."

Best Exfoliator

Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Exfoliating Treatment

$78 at Amazon $24 at Sephora $78 at Ulta

Key Ingredients: Fruit enzymes, lactic acid, salicylic acid | Skin Type: Balanced, mature, oily, combination | Size: 2 oz | SPF: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

When it comes to effective at-home skincare treatments, ExfoliKate is one for the books. Containing naturally exfoliating fruit enzymes, plus AHAs and BHAs, it pulls out all the stops to loosen up pore-clogging debris. while also reducing sebum production. The overall result is smoother skin and barely there pores.

Best Primer

Dr. Brandt Skincare Pores No More Pore Refiner Primer

$48 at Amazon $25 at Sephora $48 at Ulta

Key Ingredients: Red clover flower extract, capryloyl salicylic acid | Skin Type: Oily, combination, balanced | Size: 1 oz | SPF: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

It can be tricky to minimize the look of pores when wearing a full face of makeup, but this mattifying primer is up to the task. Red clover extract helps balance oil production to shrink the appearance of pores, while salicylic acid gently exfoliates to create a smooth canvas. Rebecca loved how lightweight it was and noted that her skin stayed smooth all day. She didn't even feel the need to touch up her makeup.

Best Moisturizer

Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta Pore Perfecting Moisturizer

$72 at Amazon $72 at Sephora $72 at Nordstrom

Key Ingredients: Farnesol, glycolic acid, salicylic acid, squalane | Skin Type: Balanced, dry, combination, oily | Size: 2 oz | SPF: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Dr. Dennis Gross is a brand you can trust when it comes to minimizing the look of pores. Thanks to a blend of skin-smoothing farnesol, exfoliating glycolic acid, and hydrating squalane, this brilliantly lightweight, noncomedogenic moisturizer encourages cell turnover and improves skin texture. It also prevents breakouts and supports the skin barrier, promoting smoother, more even-looking skin.

Best for Mature Skin

BeautyStat Universal C Skin Refiner

$51 at Amazon $85 at Ulta $85 at Nordstrom

Key Ingredients: Vitamin C, tartaric acid, squalane, EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate) | Skin Type: Mature | Size: 1 oz | SPF: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

As skin matures, pores tend to appear more visible. This gel-cream serum unclogs pores and reduces their appearance by using tartaric acid, a natural exfoliant. It also contains 20% pure vitamin C (aka L-ascorbic acid) to lift dark spots and boost radiance while reducing fine lines. The result is bright and firm skin that is smooth to the touch.

Read Full Review: Meet BeautyStat's Universal C Skin Refiner, Our New Skin Hero

Best With SPF

Exuviance Daily Corrector SPF 35 Moisturizer

$49 at Amazon $49 at Ulta $49 at Dermstore

Key Ingredients: Avobenzone, octinoxate, octisalate, NeoGlucosamine | Skin Type: Oily, acne-prone, combination | Size: 1.4 oz | SPF: 35 | Cruelty-Free: No

This lightweight moisturizer provides a burst of noncomedogenic hydration with the added benefit of broad-spectrum SPF protection. But the formula’s strengths don’t end there. It’s also infused with a non-acid exfoliator called neoglucosamine to keep pores clear and skin texture smooth, and two powerful radiance-boosters: B-resorcinol and turmeric extract. The only gripe we have with this formula is that it can leave behind a white cast on some skin tones.

Best K-Beauty

CosRx BHA Blackhead Power Liquid

$14 at Amazon $19 at Ulta $25 at Dermstore

Key Ingredients: Salicylic acid, niacinamide, betaine salicylate | Skin Type: All | Size: 3.4 oz | SPF: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Stubborn blackheads can make pores appear much larger than they are. Thankfully, the CosRx Blackhead Power Liquid will help clean out pores and keep them clear long-term. Featuring generous doses of salicylic acid and niacinamide, the formula gently exfoliates and dissolves dead cells, reduces sebum production, and calms breakouts. "These factors help your skin achieve a 'tighter' look, reducing the appearance of pores," says Dr. Hayag.

Best Exfoliating Pads

Bevel 2-in-1 Exfoliating Pads

$12 at Target View on Getbevel.com $15 at Jcpenney.com

Key Ingredients: Glycolic acid, niacinamide, witch hazel, aloe vera | Skin Type: Acne-prone, combination, oily, mature | Size: N/A | SPF: No | Cruelty-Free: No

If you prefer to exfoliate with single-use toner pads, we recommend these from Bevel. Its star ingredients are glycolic acid and niacinamide—two of Dr. Hayag’s favorite actives for reducing the appearance of pores. This formula also has aloe vera to soothe and hydrate, which is a must if AHA’s tend to dry out your skin.

Best Mask

Dermalogica Sebum Clearing Masque

$56 at Amazon $56 at Dermstore $56 at Skinstore.com

Key Ingredients: Clay, salicylic acid, oat, bisabolol, niacinamide, licorice | Skin Type: Acne-prone, oily | Size: 2.5 oz | SPF: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Packed with oil-absorbing clays and exfoliating salicylic acid, this Dermalogica face mask detoxifies the skin and reduces the appearance of pores for a smoother look. Calming botanicals such as oat and bisabolol help soothe irritation often associated with breakouts, and safflower oil combats fine dehydration lines. To top it all off, licorice and niacinamide help even the skin tone, leaving your skin looking refined and radiant.

Best Fast-Acting

Benefit Cosmetics The POREfessional Shrink Wrap

$46 at Sephora View on Ulta View on Kohls.com

Key Ingredients: Glycolic acid, lactic acid, gluconolactone, niacinamide  | Skin Type: All | Size: 1.6 oz | SPF: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Most pore-refining products take time to work, which is to be expected, but the patience required can still feel frustrating. To fast-track the process, pick up this pore treatment from Benefit Cosmetics. The formula’s jelly-glaze texture “shrink wraps” your complexion in a hydrating barrier, sealing in a 10% resurfacing blend of glycolic acid, lactic acid, and gluconolactone (a more gentle acid exfoliant known as a PHA). When you wake up the following morning, expect smaller pores and softer, smoother skin.

Best Makeup

Tarte Skin Treat Poreless Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20

$36 at Target $36 at Ulta $36 at Tartecosmetics.com

Key Ingredients: Diamond powder, polymethylsilsesquioxane, dimethicone  | Skin Type: All | Size: 1 oz | SPF: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes

When dealing with enlarged pores, makeup can be a minefield—especially foundation (which can make them even more noticeable). While a good primer can help create a smooth canvas, we’re also a fan of this tinted moisturizer from Tarte. The featherweight whipped formula uses diamond powder to blur pores and imperfections and lipoamino acids to plump the skin, creating the appearance of a smooth and even complexion. It gets bonus points for containing mineral SPF 20.

Best Retinol

CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum

$17 at Amazon $19 at Target $22 at Ulta

Key Ingredients: Retinol, ceramides, licorice root, niacinamide | Skin Type: Sensitive | Size: 1 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

Skincare champion retinol is a failsafe option for tackling visible pores. By smoothing the skin and increasing collagen production, it helps tackle uneven texture and gives skin a more supple and even look. No wonder dermatologists love it so much. CeraVe’s Resurfacing Retinol Serum, which contains slow-release retinol, barrier-strengthening ceramides, and calming niacinamide, is a sensitive-skin-friendly option that will shrink your pores without any of the nasty flaking or redness you get with some retinol products.