Pores

[WaitMonkey]

I have visible open pores on my forehead and the sides of my nose/cheeks. What I'd the best product to deal with them please. I'm using Benefit PoreProfessional at the moment, it's okay but not great. I don't think it's very long lasting. Thanks for any advice.

Oh and I'm 34, if that makes a difference.

I don't like the pore professional one. I like the Clarins skin perfector. I can't link as on my phone. It's in a red pot and is a pink almost paste like cream, which when patted on, covers and disguises pores all day. The pot is tiny but lasts ages.

I like the soap and glory fab pore stuff, one is a moisturiser and one a mask, they make a difference.

IMO products with 'pore' in the title tend to be quite gimmicky and ineffective. Focus on a good cleanser to get your pores declogged, maybe one with BHA, a light moisturiser that doesn't clog and decent primer and foundation to even up the appearance of your skin.

What's BHA?

What's BHA?

What's BHA?

What's BHA?

What's BHA?

46 really wants to know what BHA is. Sorry I haven't a clue.

Jumped I'd be really interested to hear any recommendations for a good skin care range that would help, if you have any suggestions please.

Thanks for the Clarins and S&G suggestions. I've a feeling I received a sample of the Clarins stuff year's ago, but I can't remember.

I really want to start looking after my skin properly.

Everyone has pores. 'Pores' are yet another thing rammed down our throats that we are not meant to have. It's utter bollox. I can honestly say I have never met anyone and come away thinking " What a nice person but goodness they have such big pores!'

Cleanse your face and splash cold water or toner, that's all anyone needs. If you find make up settles into pores then use a primer.

10 years ago Im pretty sure there weren't products for pores. I wonder what the next product will be that will make us all paranoid?

Rant over

BHA = beta hydroxy acids. Not sure why I didn't just write salycilic acid cos that's what I meant! can't spell it though 'alpha hydroxy acid' or AHAs, are good for anti ageing, but BHAs are good for declogging. Doesn't have to be pricey - I used Nutrogena for ages. Just check the ingredients for salycilic acid. The teenage spotty ranges are great if your skin isn't dry. Anyway AHAs and BHAs both exfoliate, but so does scrubbing your skin with a cloth or towel or grainy scrub.

It is as simple as cleaning your face as gently and effectively as possible. How you do that varies according to your skin and your preference. Double cleansing is brilliant - I use the same cleanser twice, that's basically what it is. I currently use Soap and Glory Peaches and Clean cleanser, it is a cream cleanser you massage into dry skin then rinse off, or if you prefer use a hot flannel. Hot cloth cleansing is very popular on here - you could try Liz Earle 'cleanse and polish' and see how you get on with it.

Basically it's not what you use it's how you use it - so you could use pricey cleanser but use it too sparingly and only once, not follow up by massaging in moisturiser and your skin won't improve. Clean it by massaging in sunflower oil for 5 mins, steaming it off with a hot flannel and repeating a couple of times, your skin will look fab. For me I find if I've splashed out on a posh cleanser - my fave is Shu Uemura cleansing oil - then I will be very strict with my routine so it's probably more that than the quality of the product

Nothing will close up pores if they are open. But BHA/salicylic acid will dissolve into them and clear out any blackheads so the pores are empty.

Best option is something you leave on (as obviously cleanser gets washed straight off so it doesn't have much time to work).

You can get so far by cleansing but to really get to the bottom of a pore you need BHA. Neutrogena has loads of products with it in.

I have noticeable pores on my cheeks near my nose. I don't find a primer makes any difference (have tried the porefessional) but bare minerals night transformation powder is amazing. I don't know how, but it has definitely shrunk my pores (or created some optical illusion). I look airbrushed. Expensive, but a pot lasts me about 6 months

Blushes No one has mentioned pore strip blackhead removers. You all sound very knowledgeable about skin care and will probably baulk, but I LOVE clearing out my nose pores this way.

guilty pleasure

I'm lucky enough to live in Devon and no where near a big city so face copes with a bit of Liz Earle, Vaseline, water-for-toner and the random face washes and daily spf moisturisers/bb cream, along with Savlon for spots.

Ooh, thanks for all the great advice. I'm lucky I rarely get spots and don't really suffer with blackheads, it's just the open pores I have issue with. Will be hitting the shop's tomorrow to look at your recommendations. Thanks everyone. Special thanks to Jumped, for the detailed BHA explanation.