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What is Pore Concealer?

B. Miller
B. Miller

Pore concealer is a type of makeup that is applied to the face to camouflage large pores. It is similar to foundation, but is usually not applied over the entire face, only the necessary areas. Pore concealer is most frequently used on areas such as the nose, forehead, chin, or cheeks, or in any area of the face where pores are large and noticeable.

Large pores are often associated with oily skin, or skin that is acne prone, but anyone can have large pores. It is important never to squeeze the pores or to try to pop a pimple, which can force the oil into the pore and actually make it look larger. Pores cannot be shrunk, but they can be cared for and minimized using pore concealer. Some pore concealers are able to promote the healing of blemishes as well, with the inclusion of ingredients like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide.

Pore concealer.
Pore concealer.

Pore concealer is typically applied as a type of primer to the face, underneath any foundation. It is available in clear or skin-tone colored formulas, and generally works by filling in the pores with makeup, rather than just covering them up. It should be applied in moderation, and always washed off at the end of the day. Because the pore concealer fills in the pores, it could easily make acne worse if it is not removed.

Pore concealer can be used to help minimize pores.
Pore concealer can be used to help minimize pores.

Pore concealer may be available in a liquid form or a mineral form. Either one can be effective, and it is primarily a matter of personal preference and which one works better with one's skin type. Liquid pore concealer can often be more precise for small areas, whereas mineral concealer is better able to cover larger areas. This type of pore concealer differs from regular concealer, because regular concealer sits on top of the skin, and does not fill in the holes.

Some pore concealers are designed to heal blemishes.
Some pore concealers are designed to heal blemishes.

Once the concealer has been applied to the pores as needed, one may then simply apply foundation for a flawless look. Care for the skin and minimize the appearance of pores and blemishes by developing a regular skin care routine. The face should be washed with a gentle cleanser in the morning and at the end of the day to remove makeup. Toner may then be used if necessary, followed by a moisturizer. A moisturizer containing sunscreen should be used during the day, whereas a thicker moisturizer intended for evening should be used at night.

Discussion Comments

Perdido

The temptation to clean my pores of what was clogging them led to me squeezing bumps all over my face. Though I got most of the junk out of my pores, squeezing irritated them, and I was left with swollen, red areas that oozed clear juice.

This led to scabbing, and all I could do was wait for it to go away. After my last squeezefest, I determined that I would stop doing this to my pores. It wasn't making me look any better, and I might have been doing serious damage to my skin.

To resist the temptation to squeeze, I started filling my pores with pore concealer that contained salicylic acid. This would work on my acne all day long from the inside of the pores, so squeezing it out would be counterproductive.

This helped me so much. I no longer have the temptation to push on my acne, and the medicated pore concealer has helped lessen it.

StarJo

@lighth0se33 – I have oily skin, and I use only a clear large pore concealer. I would be afraid to try a colored or powder version, because I don't see how it could keep from getting gooey, with all that oil in there.

The clear kind seems to dry up my oil a bit. So, my makeup goes on easy. Also, I don't have to carry blotting papers around with me like I used to when I needed to soak up oil produced by the skin on my nose.

As long as I wash my face well at the end of the day to get all the makeup and concealer out of my pores, I have no issues. I think the concealer has actually minimized my breakouts, since it blocks debris from entering the pores. My face looks a lot smoother now, both because my makeup can cover it better and because I have fewer blackheads.

lighth0se33

I use a pore concealer in mineral powder form. Since I use a mineral foundation, the texture matches it better than liquid foundation would.

I use a small concealer brush to apply the mineral powder. I cover my nose and the area where my cheeks meet my nose, because my pores are biggest here.

It seems to make a big difference. Before I started using it, my foundation did nothing to cover up my pores. Now, it glides across them as if they were shut.

I don't have oily skin, so I don't worry about the pore concealer powder turning to mush inside my pores. I do wonder if oily-skinned people have this problem, though.

Oceana

I have been looking for a makeup to cover up the fact that the pores in my nose are huge. I didn't know that anything existed that could fill pores!

I wonder how easy it is to remove pore concealer at the end of the day. I usually use a special cream to remove my regular makeup. I wonder if it would be strong enough to reach down and grab the concealer from inside the pores.

I want to give pore concealer a try. My current makeup regimen isn't concealing anything, and I look almost like I'm not wearing any foundation. I want my complexion to look smoother, and I think that filling in my pores could accomplish that.

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    • Pore concealer.
      By: cedrov
      Pore concealer.
    • Pore concealer can be used to help minimize pores.
      By: rufar
      Pore concealer can be used to help minimize pores.
    • Some pore concealers are designed to heal blemishes.
      By: Cheryl Casey
      Some pore concealers are designed to heal blemishes.
    • Pore concealer may worsen acne if not properly removed.
      By: badmanproduction
      Pore concealer may worsen acne if not properly removed.