Large pores can take a significant toll on your complexion. There are many causes for large or enlarged pores, including sun damage, aging and genetics. We’ve put together a simple regimen for large pores using only products by the ordinary that can help to minimise the size of your pores.
The Ordinary Regimen For Large Pores
We’ve put together two routines, one for daytime and another for nighttime. Both of these routines include the most effective products by The Ordinary which are proven to minimise pore size and appearance. We’ve linked each product to make them easier to find!
Daytime routine
- Squalane Cleanser: Cleansing your skin is essential to get rid of unwanted dirt, oil and pollutants that can clog your pores. Often large pores are a result of oily skin or overactive sebaceous glands, it is therefore essential that you get an effective skin cleanse at the start of your regime. This squalane cleanser is a gentle but effective formulation at a reasonable price point.
- Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution: Glycolic acid is an AHA which can work to increase skin cell turnover, boost collagen production and prevent blemishes and acne. By boosting collagen production you can tighten the skin around the pores and make them appear smaller.
- Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%: Niacinamide is a form of Vitamin B-3 which can work to tackle skin congestion and blemishes. Niacinamide is excellent at regulating sebum production, and can therefore help those suffering from oily skin. By reducing skin oiliness, pore size is dramatically reduced.
- Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA: Moisturising is critical step of any skincare regime. NMF’s work to provide a protective barrier on the outer layer of the skin. Not only will these protect the skin from pollutants and free radical damage, but it also means the skin’s moisture is locked in.
- Mineral UV Filters SPF 30 with Antioxidants: This SPF solution neutralises free radicals, reduces transepidermal water loss and helps the skin stay hydrated for longer.
- High-Adherence Silicone Primer: This is an excellent skin primer which works to blur and matte the skin, reducing the appearance of pores and imperfections.
Nighttime routine
- Squalane Cleanser: Cleansing twice a day is crucial, this squalane cleanser is effective for both nighttime and daytime use.
- Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5: Hyaluronic acid immediately boosts skin moisture and plumps the skin. Not only will this reduce signs of aging, but it can also help minimise pore appearance.
- Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%: A potent anti-oxidant solution which will work to combat free radical damage as well as brighten and tighten the complexion overnight.
- Retinol 1% in Squalane: (Never use with Vitamin-C, use on alternate days instead.) Retinol is one of the most potent anti-aging and pore refining ingredients available on the skincare market. Retinol will help to promote collagen synthesis with continued use, tightening the skin and pores.
- 100% Plant-Derived Squalane (Optional): Squalane is an excellent skin moisturiser with anti-aging and sebum regulating properties. This step is optional as the retinol formulation already contains squalane, if however you suffer from dry skin best to apply this serum.
Note that you likely won’t see results overnight. Reducing the size of your pores is a slow process, you should definitely begin to see results at the 3 month mark. Consistency is key!
Any questions or comments? Leave them down below 🙂
24 responses to “The Ordinary Regimen For Large Pores”
Your posts are SO helpful thank you!!!
Hello!
Thanks again for the positive feedback. Glad you’re enjoying them 🙂
– OBVS. Team
Hi There, the Mineral UV Filters SPF 30 with Antioxidants is not available anywhere. Do you have suggestions for a different sunscreen? Thanks
Hey Momo,
The Inkey List do a great SPF 30 Daily Sunscreen with 100% Mineral Filters, similar to the one by The Ordinary.
Find it here: https://www.cultbeauty.co.uk/the-inkey-list-spf-30-daily-sunscreen.html
– OS Team
Hie I’ve been using dermaco products till now !!! Quite happy but satisfied as expected!!! I m having open tiny and visible open pores and anti-aging!!! I genuinely don’t the perfect skin care routine day and night !!! I wud love to try ordinary products and which ones and how !!!! Kindly suggest !!! It would be a great help
Do I use these all at the same time, in the order they’re written (minus the vitamin c + retinol)?
And is it for every day or should I be doing these routines certain times a week?
Sorry if I sound silly, I just bought the products and have never had a skin care routine quite like this.
I’m excited to try and want to do it properly!
Thanks!
Hey AG,
Not at all a silly question!
You should use them all together yes, in the order they’ve been written above. As you’ve mentioned, some ingredients do not work well together and those have been flagged (namely Vitamin C + Retinol), but the rest work together just fine.
Remember to patch test prior to use!
– OBVS. Team
On the packaging, it says that Glycolic Acid should be rather used in the evening. Is it safe to use it in the morning?
Hey Anna,
Glycolic acid is perfectly safe when used in the morning provided you follow it up with adequate sun protection (as per the routine above). AHAs typically increase the skin’s sensitivity to the sun, but this is mitigated by applying an adequate factor of SPF.
– OBVS. Team
Hi,
I will be soon ordering the products.
My question is if i apply the morning routine and if i wash my face in the afternoon, can i reapply the products following the same routine?
Sorry if thats a silly question.
Thanks in advance:)
Hey Monisa,
Not at all a silly question!
You could definitely apply the morning routine again after washing your face in the afternoon.
We’re just wondering however, do you wash your face in the morning and the afternoon also? If so, what’s the reason for doing this?
Typically many people wash their face frequently to combat oily skin, this can often be counterintuitive as the skin overcompensates by producing excess oils to combat the newfound dryness. If this is the case, you could try oil blotting sheets.
If however, you do it for another reason, then yes, you can certainly reapply these products in the afternoon. As for the night-time routine, you should stick to applying that before bed, as the products can react with sunlight and reduce their effectiveness.
Hope this has helped a little
– OBVS. Team
Hi,
I recently ordered all the products on this list and used them in order. However the moment I used the vitamin C my face felt unbearably greasy. This worsened after applying squalane. Is there any application techniques I’m missing (should I be leaving a certain amount of time between steps, applying to wet/dry face etc)? It felt so uncomfortable I had to get out of bed to rinse my face.
Hey Rachel,
Sorry to hear that!
The solutions should be applied to a dry face. Try applying the solution before the Hyaluronic Acid serum, see if this works for you. If it doesn’t, try and wait a little while (10-15 minutes) after applying the Vitamin C before you apply Squalane. Some customers of The Ordinary have reviewed the Vitamin C product as feeling greasy and taking a while to absorb, although it is uncommon.
Squalane is a rich hydrator, it will leave the skin feeling deeply hydrated but if it’s unbearable maybe discontinue use. If you have oily skin, the additional Squalane step might also not be for you. So it doesn’t go to waste, Squalane is also excellent when applied to hair; a few drops enhance shine and restore moisture.
Remember, not every product works for every skin type, it’s on an individual basis. Consider replacing the serums with ones you’re more familiar with, or check out our other posts for product recommendations.
Hope this has helped a little,
– OBVS. Team
hey!
thank you for this article, i am very stressed about the pores on my face and i want to try this AM and PM routine. You say to not use Retinol with the Vitamine C, does that mean i should do you evening Vitamine C and the next Retinol? Sorry i am French and i want to make sure i am not doing something silly! 😀
I hope you still answer to questions, cheers!
Hey Iris!
You should definitely not use Retinol and Vitamin C on the same night, you can do one night Vitamin C and one night Retinol, that’s completely fine.
You could also apply Vitamin C during the day and Retinol at night, be wary if you have sensitive skin though.
Hope this helped a little,
– OBVS. Team
For the daytime routine, I assume we put make up on after the last step (primer)
Hey Sarah,
That’s right, makeup should be applied after the final primer step.
– OBVS. Team
Hi! I love this routine and I bought all the products and just started doing it the other day! Thank you so much for sharing. I was wondering though, I had started using The Ordinary’s AHA 30% + BHA 2% peeling solution several months ago and I think it had helped me quite a bit. I usually only do it once a week. How would this fit into and chance my skincare routine for that evening? Are there products I should and shouldn’t use while doing that with this routine? Thank you!!!
Hey Denise,
Thank you for the positive feedback!
If you apply the AHA 30% + BHA 2% solution one evening per week, make sure you follow it up with hyaluronic acid, as well as Squalane/a hydrating moisturiser. Stay away from any direct acids, vitamin c and retinol that evening; this will reduce the risk of sensitivity/damage to your skin.
Hope this has helped a little 🙂
– OBVS. Team
Thank you for your previous reply! 🙂 one more thing, how come there isn’t any moisturizer in the PM routine? Does the squalane just do the job or should I just add moisturizer in the mix? Thanks again
Hi there! I’d like to use Niacinamide at night, too, to help with skin congestion however can it be used in the line-up for the night regime and, if so, at which step can it be used? Thanks!
What would I do if I wanted to combine this routine with the one for acne scars? https://obvsskin.com/the-ordinary-regimen-for-acne-scars/
I have both large acne “dips” and very large pores with stubborn blackheads, though I don’t really suffer from acne anymore beyond the occasion bump. I’d like to combine the products that work best both for large pores and acne scars, but I’m not very familiar with the Ordinary products or which ones can safely be used together until I found these regimens. How can I combine the two?
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