Pores are one thing we all have in common. However, not all pores are created equally. Many of us, myself included, have rather large pores that are quite noticeable while some lucky few of us have small pores that are barely noticeable. Truth be told, I hate those people, walking around all smug-like with their clear skin and smooth complexions. And yes, I know, I shouldn't be a hater. In fact, many of those small pored freaks weren't born that way. They've simply put in the time and effort to reduce the appearance of their pores.
I say “reduce the appearance” because your pore size is your pore size. It's genetics. You can't shrink pores or get rid of them. Actually, you wouldn't want to get rid of pores. Pores have these neat things called sebaceous glands. These glands produce an oil called sebum which is responsible for waterproofing skin and protecting it from fungal and bacterial infections. Unfortunately, sebum is also the main ingredient in the crap that clogs pores. Take a little sebum, toss in a few dead skin cells, a dash of makeup, add dirt and bacteria to taste and Voila! clogged pores. And because large pores can and do hold more of that crap than small pores, their appearance is increased all the more. So what'ya gonna do? Well, since getting rid of and shrinking pores are out of the question, you do the next best thing you can to get rid of large pores; you reduce their appearance. It's not even all that difficult. It simply requires some time, dedication, patience, and know how.
Get Rid of Clogged, Large Looking Pores
Institute a face washing regimen. When learning how to get rid of large pores and how to clean pores, the most logical and common sense action to take is, of course, washing your face. This should be done at least twice a day; once in the morning and once in the evening. The most important thing to remember is to use a gentle facial cleanser. Harsh cleaners do too good of a job removing oils and in so doing, dry out and irritate your skin. This, in an attempt to sooth the skin, leads your sebaceous glands to produce even more oil which further exacerbates the problem.
Exfoliate. Exfoliants are generally made with a light abrasive (apricot pits, crushed almond shells, little plastic beads, etc.) and/or weak acids such as salicylic, glycolic, malic, lactic, or citric. Despite what they're made from, the intent and results are the same; they shrink large pores, or at least their appearance, by removing dead skin cells that otherwise clog pores by building up in and around them. The thing to be careful of when using exfoliants to get rid of clogged pores, and I can't stress this enough, is to be extremely gentle. If you scrub too hard you will irritate the skin and make things worse. Don't let me scare you away from them, they work great. Just pretend your face is a babies butt, be more gentle than you think necessary, and don't use exfoliants more than once or twice a week.
Moisturize. Washing and exfoliating will remove essential oils from your face, may aggravate the skin, and can cause your skin to dry out. To combat this and help keep your pores from producing excess oil to make up for the loss, make sure to moisturize after any attempts at getting rid of pores. Moisturize with an oil free facial moisturizer. And because sunlight can thicken the skin around your pores and make them more visible, choose a moisturizer with an SPF rating of at least 15. While we're at it, don't forget to drink plenty of water. If you're properly hydrated, your skin will be better able to heal itself and handle external stresses.
Steam your face. When trying to get rid of big pores, give yourself a nice facial steam. It's a very simple process. After washing your face, boil some water in a pan, pour it into a basin set atop a trivet or pot holder so it doesn't damage the surface it's sitting on, lean over the hot water and drape a towel over your head. Don't get your face too close, you don't want to burn yourself or irritate your skin. Sit like this for about five minutes or until the steam is gone. Many people chose to add herbs such as basil, chamomile, rosemary, lavender, or green tea to the water. The steaming process helps to loosen dead skin, makeup, excess oil and other impurities that may not have been removed from washing alone. After the steam, rinse your face with lukewarm water, pat dry, and moisturize. 
Limit makeup use. This is one of the best things you can do for yourself when implementing what you've learned about how to shrink pores. Makeup is fantastic at finding it's way down into those babies and making 'em look huge. I'm not saying to never use makeup. I'm just saying to only use it when you think it's important and to remove it as soon as you can. Also, when picking makeup, make sure it is oil free, oil absorbing, or both. You should also look for makeup with an SPF rating of 15 or higher. Finally, make sure all applicators (sponges, brushes, etc.) are clean.Go See a Dermatologist
Sometimes skin problems go beyond simple procedures that can be done at home. Perhaps you suffer from severe acne or maybe you've simply tried all of the suggestions found above and were met with only limited success. In cases such as these, there are a good many things a dermatologist can do to help you in getting rid of large pores. Found below are just a few things that such a specialist might recommend.
Microdermabrasion Treatment. Microdermabrasion is an interesting and relatively non-invasive procedure performed by dermatologists. In essence, when you go through this treatment, the top layer of skin on the affected area is buffed away either through the use of tiny crystals or a diamond tipped wand leaving fresh new skin for all to see.
Laser dermabrasion. This is another type of skin resurfacing in which a carbon dioxide laser is used to remove layers of skin and expose the healthier skin underneath. This method of dermabrasion allows the dermatologist more control. While skin is often described as pink and tender after the procedure, it is sometimes said to feel scraped or sunburned.
Chemical peels. This skin resurfacing technique is performed through the application of an acid to the face. Some common acids used for this process are salicylic, lactic, glycolic, and trichloroacetic. Once applied to the skin, a small wound forms and fresh new skin later appears.
Retinoids. These are, basically, prescription strength vitamin A creams. Some of the more common brand names are Retin-A, Differin, and Renova. These skin rejuvenation creams have been used in the treatment of acne for years and I can personally attest to the efficacy of Retin-A.
