It’s the one four letter word that makes all the ladies here at MDC squirm: p-o-r-e. Much to our dismay, those pesky openings on the surface of the skin welcome sweat, oil, and dirt, causing an enlarged appearance and blackheads. To help us learn the best way to minimize and prevent visible pores, we caught up with aesthetician Cecilia Wong for her tips.

Pore Prevention

According to Wong, there are five reasons why pores may be visible: “oily skin; genetics; age; sun damage; and improperly caring for the skin.” When excess oil and dirt accumulate, pores clog and appear larger. Elasticity also plays a part in pore appearance—“sun exposure and aging damages collagen and elasticity in the skin, causing the pores to dilate,” she says. To keep your pores in check Wong suggests six preventative measures.

1. “Always remove your makeup before bed by cleansing skin thoroughly.

2. Exfoliate regularly to help speed up cell's turnover and slough off dead skin.

3. Add a clay mask to your weekly routine, 2-3 times a week, to help rid the skin of toxins (clay is known to minimize pores!).”

MDC Tip: We like Kiehl’s Rare Earth Pore Cleansing Masque and Cecilia Wong Rescue Blemish Peel Mask.

4. “Wear sunscreen.

5. Add a product with Vitamin A to your skincare regimen. Vitamin A helps anti-aging and builds collagen in the skin, improving texture.

6. Make sure you're eating lots of Vitamins A, C, and E and antioxidants in your diet.”

The Quick Fix

What happens when you need to handle your pores in a flash? “Try mixing cherries and an aloe gel for an at-home treatment. Mix the two together and apply on skin for 15-20 minutes before rinsing. This will help to tighten pores. Or if all else fails, try rubbing an ice cube on the face (also nice for summer), as it will minimize pores in minutes!” Wong advises.

Do you have any skincare questions you’d like us to tackle? Leave ‘em in the comments or tweet them our way @makeupdotcom using the hashtag #askMDC!

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