Pore size is determined at birth and there is nothing we can do to shrink them. Excess oil production is what makes pores visible and look large.

As we age pores will look bigger because of sagging skin due to loss of firmness.

Pores are most visible around the nose area and the forehead because these produce the most oil.

Clinique has come up with new and improved solutions to the huge gaping pore problem that 90 percent of the population that has hit the age of puberty onwards are agonizing over.

After washing with the cleanser or exfoliating formula, prep yourself with the toner suited to your skin type.

Then use the three-step Clinique  Pore Refining Solutions (PRS)  program. It is designed to treat, control and cover the problem so you can face the world with a smooth, seemingly poreless surface.

Clinique PRS Serum (P3,000) instantly diminishes the appearance of pores while simultaneously strengthening and tightening the skin’s surface structure over time, so we don’t sag too badly as we age.

In two weeks the visible appearance of pores is reduced by about 58 percent.

Clinque PRS works by activating the natural skin enzymes to ensure cells are healthy and fully developed once they reach the surface so there will be no roughness, weak barrier and large pores.

PRS’s other active ingredients—soy proteins and coconut acid—seek out areas with excess sebum and neutralize it for perfect balance to prevent clogged pores.

Oil control

For eliminating or controlling the oil, there’s Clinique PRS Stay Matte Hydrator (P2,650),  a multi-functional moisturizer for oily skin. It makes sure skin is hydrated enough to stay healthy and strong while controlling excess sebum production to stop shine, while the denatured alcohol cools the skin and tightens the pores.

Acetyl Glucosamine has exfoliating properties that help keep pores clear of clogging debris.

Cover the still-visible pores  with Clinique PRS Instant Perfector (P1,500). This comes in three skin-blending tints: Invisible Bright, Invisible Light and Invisible Deep.

This is meant to be applied only on the problem areas. In my case, the problem areas are the nose wings (space between nose and cheeks), where my pores are largest, the nose and the forehead. Clinque blends in so flawlessly one cannot tell where the corrector ends and one’s skin begins.

Another pore-concealing treatment favorite of mine is Goodskin Labs Z-Pore, which blends flawlessly into light to medium skin tones.

Those with darker skin may want to apply loose powder or mineral makeup on top that matches skin tone for that flawless blend.

For Asian skincare fanatics, The Face Shop’s Pore Minimizing Line is also top notch in sebum control, pore tightening and pore camouflage. It’s best for normal to oily combination skin .

Shu Uemura’s PuReNovate oil-control line consists of a mattifying lotion/toner and pore-perfecting solution/essence, which reduce the appearance of pores and excess shine. They contain the highest concentration of water-lily extract, known for its ability to purify the skin.

The dual solution is best for very oily and acne-prone skin as the clarifying moisturizer really sucks out oil and leave you matte for eight hours.

When I applied the treatment on my cheeks, it left me with a tight feeling but my very greasy forehead and nose looked matte  and felt refreshed the whole day.

Clinique is exclusively available at Rustan’s and Essences stores. Z-Pore is at Watson’s.