Three non-negotiable products to include in your skin care to 'reduce the appearance of pores'

To tackle these changes, skin care expert and co-founder at The Harley Skin Clinic Lesley Reynolds, recommended a combination of factors.

In terms of skin care, the expert stressed the importance of exfoliants, moisturisers and vitamin C to promote skin renewal and unclog pores.

“There can be several reasons why pores become more pronounced with age, the main cause is usually a loss of collagen and elasticity which can contribute to pores becoming larger and more noticeable," she explained.

“As we age, the production of oil slows down and this can lead to sagging skin around the pores, making them appear more noticeable.

“Other factors such as sun damage and environmental stressors can add to this effect over time.”

How to reduce the visibility of pores

Fortunately, the visibility of pores can be minimised with the help of an effective skin care routine.

“Utilising products that promote skin renewal, such as retinoids and salicylic acids, can help unclog pores and refine skin texture," said Lesley.

Naturally, hydration is also key, with moisturisers some of the best products for helping maintain skin elasticity.

"Hydration-boosting moisturisers can also help maintain your skin’s elasticity,” said Lesley.

Can you permanently shrink the size of pores?

Because pore size is predominantly determined by genetic factors, you can't permanently shrink them.

But over time, a combination of exfoliation can help tighten the skin and thus, reduce the appearance of pores.

“I recommend regular exfoliation, proper hydrations and the use of products that encourage collagen production (vitamin C is great for this)," said Lesley.

“These steps help reduce the appearance of pores over time. Lastly, sunscreen is essential to prevent further damage that could worsen your pores’ visibility.

Those who want to go the extra mile can use different clinical treatments to assist in the reduction of pore visibility.

These typically tend to be more aggressive than at-home care but offer significant results for those struggling with the texture of their skin.

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“Chemical peels, microdermabrasion and laser resurfacing help by removing the top layer of skin, this promotes cell turnover and helps stimulate collagen production, which in the long run can help tighten the skin and reduce pore visibility,” Lesley added.

For a more natural approach, it may be worth stocking up on additional key skin care ingredients known to tighten the skin, added the expert.

“Natural ingredients like niacinamide, also known as vitamin B3, and witch hazel can help tighten the skin and control oil production, which can lead to reduced pore visibility," she shared.

“I also recommend tea tree oil as it’s filled with antibacterial properties which also help prevent clogged pores that may make them appear larger.”