Trust me when I say the best pore-minimizing serum will make the pore strips you’ve been using since sixth grade feel like true child’s play. That’s because they contain: retinol or exfoliating acids. “Retinol builds collagen and elastin to keep the skin tight and supple, which minimizes the appearance of pores,” says Omer Ibrahim, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist at Chicago Cosmetic Surgery and Dermatology. Exfoliators keep pores unclogged of excess oil, dead skin cells, and bacteria, which helps them appear smaller,” adds Dr. Ibrahim. And unlike blackhead strips or clay masks, which are typically recommended for once- or twice-weekly use, many pore-minimizing serums can be applied every day; so with consistent use, you’ll have clearer, smoother skin in a matter of weeks.
With this in mind, we tested some of the most popular options available, from the PCA Skin Resurfacing Serum—a luxury pick that calms skin as it exfoliates—to peeling pads from a buzzy K-beauty brand that our editors love for quickly sloughing off dry skin before makeup application. Our top overall pick? Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant because of its quadruple-threat ability to control oil, smooth fine lines, reduce breakouts overnight, and shrink large pores.
The best pore-minimizing serums, at a glance
- Best Overall: Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant, $35
- Best for Sensitive Skin: PCA Skin Resurfacing Serum, $112
- Best for Mature Skin: Innbeauty Project Pore Refine Pore Shrinking & Texture Smoothing Serum, $42
- Best for Tightening: La Roche-Posay Retinol B3 Pure Retinol Serum, $45
- Best Drugstore: L’Oréal Paris Revitalift 10% Pure Glycolic Acid Serum, $19
- Best for Dry Skin: Mediheal Phyto-Enzyme Peeling Pads, $24
- Best for Large Pores: Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow PHA + BHA Toner, $35
Best Overall: Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant
This product gets a lot of justified hype, both on TikTok and from dermatologists. It also made the cut as one of Glamour editors’ favorite Paula’s Choice products. “This liquid exfoliant uses a high dose of salicylic acid to exfoliate the pore lining, removing skin congestion to make pores appear smaller and tighter,” Geeta Yadav, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Toronto-based Facet Dermatology, previously told Glamour. And antioxidant-rich green tea works to calm any resulting redness.
Glamour commerce writer Alanna Martine Kilkeary says this pore-minimizing serum is a “game-changer” for oily and aging skin. “It helps clarify fine lines and does an excellent job of shrinking pimples, to the point where it helped calm a huge breakout on my chin in just two uses—it was flattened and red-free within 48 hours,” she says. “I also noticed an improvement in my pores on my nose; they’re a lot less noticeable and more even-textured.”
Best Drugstore Serum: L’Oréal Paris Revitalift 10% Pure Glycolic Acid Serum
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Dr. Ibrahim calls this an “affordable, effective, and gentle serum with glycolic acid as the main exfoliator to keep dead skin cells, bacteria, and excess oil out of pores.” The serum uses a high concentration of glycolic acid to not only even out texture but brighten dark spots and smooth wrinkles.
“I haven’t always been as serious about sunscreen as I am now, but this serum has improved my skin’s luminosity and faded some of my sun spots,” says Glamour contributor Ariel Wodarcyk. “On top of making my skin more even-toned, it unclogs my pores and smooths out my texture.” Wodarcyk says this serum did have a slight stinging sensation when applied, though it didn’t wind up causing breakouts or redness.
Best for Sensitive Skin: PCA Skin Resurfacing Serum
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This PCA Skin serum utilizes a slow-release complex that helps glycolic acid penetrate the skin gradually, allowing even the most sensitive skin types to reap the ingredient’s exfoliating benefits without irritation. It also features lactic acid and hydrolyzed prickly-pear extract, which help to support the skin’s moisture barrier and dissolve dead skin cells.
“This serum is a true multitasker, known for improving skin tone, texture, and clarity,” says Natalie Aguilar, a celebrity facialist and aesthetic nurse. Aguilar calls out lactobionic acid as the serum’s star ingredient, saying it “serves as a gentle exfoliant, which truly helps make my pores look so much smaller with consistent use.” Wodarcyk is a fan too. “This is the first exfoliating serum that didn’t irritate my dry, sensitive skin, even with continued daily use. I noticed a visible glow and smoother skin around my cheeks and nose, which is where my pores are the most noticeable. It even reduced a few breakouts overnight, which was a nice surprise.”
Best for Mature Skin: Innbeauty Project Pore Refine Pore Shrinking & Texture Smoothing Serum
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As we age, our skin starts to decrease in collagen and elastin, which can stretch the look of pores and make them appear bigger. This serum addresses that issue by using willow bark, an alternative to salicylic acid that helps decongest skin, and a pore-refining complex of peptides and plant-based retinol to firm and tighten. Meanwhile, lactic and glycolic acids helps fight pore-expanding buildup and slough away dead skin cells.
“I really liked the texture—it was lightweight and not overly sticky or goopy,” Glamour’s Kilkeary says. “I’ve been using this serum at night for the past few weeks, and my skin looks a lot brighter and less red by morning. I also think this one has done a nice job at mattifying my skin—my typically oily T-zone has been smooth and grease-free.”
Best for Dry Skin: Mediheal Phyto-Enzyme Peeling Pads
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These peeling pads are infused with a lightweight, hydrating essence in addition to papaya extract and lipohydroxy acid to keep dry skin types hydrated as they dissolve dead skin cells. One side is textured for mild physical exfoliation, while the other is smooth for chemical exfoliation on sensitive areas. You can apply multiple pads at a time and leave them on for several minutes like a Korean sheet mask, or quickly swipe them over your skin after you cleanse.
“My favorite trick is to swipe one of these on in the morning before I do my makeup,” says Wodarcyk. “They immediately make my skin softer, smoother, and glowier, which helps my foundation and concealer glide on easily. After several months of use, they’ve made the pores on my nose much less noticeable, with zero irritation.”
Best for Large Pores: Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow PHA + BHA Toner
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This best-selling toner helps shrink pores and balance oil control without drying out the skin, thanks to its combination of mild exfoliants and soothing botanical extracts. “PHA is a gentle cousin of AHA,” says Dr. Ibrahim. “It’s a larger molecule compared to AHA, meaning it doesn’t penetrate as deeply and therefore doesn’t irritate the skin.” That being said, it’s still a very effective exfoliator, says Dr. Ibrahim, helping keep pores clear of gunk.
“If my skin feels like it needs some more deep-cleaning after washing my face, I reach for this,” says Glamour’s Kilkeary. “Not only does it smell lovely, but I like the way it feels on my face during application—it’s jelly-like but nonsticky. It helps remove excess makeup in any nooks and crannies that I missed, so it’s always a go-to when I need a little extra cleansing support that can help smooth out uneven areas.”
Best for Tightening: La Roche-Posay Retinol B3 Pure Retinol Serum
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This under-$50 serum tightens pores and tackles the appearance of fine lines and sun damage. It does so with a combination of pure retinol and retinyl palmitate, another form of vitamin A that’s generally more tolerable for different skin types. Glycerin and niacinamide (vitamin B3) provide further soothing benefits, making this an ideal option for those hesitant about the dryness and irritation that can come from using harsher retinoids.
Celebrity makeup artist Amanda Gabbard swears by the formula for shrinking pores on her own complexion and her clients’. “What I love about the Retinol B3 serum is that it gives powerful results but isn’t too harsh for sensitive skin. I can always tell when my regular clients have added this serum into their routine because the skin looks tight, the texture is smooth, and there is brightness to it. It looks like they’ve had a baby dose of Botox,” she says.
Your questions about pore-minimizing serums, answered
What causes large pores?
“Your pore size is like your shoe size: It’s genetically predetermined,” says Dr. Ibrahim. However, your pores can change over time, Dr. Ibrahim says, due to the loss of collagen and elastin in the skin caused by factors like aging or sun damage. “This causes the skin to stretch and slacken—as a consequence, pores can stretch as well,” he says. Those with oily skin may also have more visible pores than other skin types.
What should you look for in an effective pore-minimizing serum?
In addition to retinol and chemical exfoliants like salicylic or glycolic acid, look for serums that contain niacinamide. “Niacinamide can help decrease oil production and strengthen the skin barrier,” says Jodi Logerfo, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, a doctor of nursing practice and family nurse practitioner at Orentreich Medical Group. It’s also worth looking for serums that have hydrating ingredients, like glycerin and hyaluronic acid, to balance out potentially irritating actives.
How often should you use a pore-minimizing serum?
As with any skin care product, it’s important to use the serum as directed and pay attention to how your skin reacts to it. If your skin is sensitive, “start slow by using the serum once or twice the first week and building up tolerance to ensure the skin is always comfortable,” says Aguilar. If you use a serum that contains retinol or AHAs, which can increase photosensitivity, you should only apply the serum at night and protect your skin with a sunscreen the following day.
When can you expect results from pore-minimizing serums?
According to Dr. Ibrahim, those who are not already using other pore-minimizing skin care products may see results in just four to six weeks. If you rarely exfoliate or use retinol, the results may be even faster; he says you could see “clearer and brighter” skin in just one week.
Meet the experts
- Jodi Logerfo, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, a doctor of nursing practice and family nurse practitioner at Orentreich Medical Group
- Omer Ibrahim, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist at Chicago Cosmetic Surgery and Dermatology
- Geeta Yadav, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Facet Dermatology
- Natalie Aguilar, a celebrity facialist and aesthetic nurse
- Amanda Gabbard, a celebrity makeup artist
