Preserving Style: Beauty At Any Age (Pores)

The following "Beauty At Any Age" advice comes from the September 2013 Issue of InStyle Magazine

See Ya Later, Pores!

It may be impossible to shrink those tiny openings on your skin, but you can make them look less obvious. The key? A daily regimen that reduces oil and exfoliates flaky skin.

20s – Excess oil production during this decade often leads to clogged pores, says aesthetician Renee Rouleau. To avoid buildup, try sudsing with an exfoliating face wash containing witch hazel. Another smart move: Minimize oil production by lathering on a mattifying clay mask with kaolin a few times a week, says New York dermatologist Jennifer MacGregor. THE FIX: Skinceuticals Clarifying Clay Masque, $49; skinceuticals.com. Murad Daily Cleansing Foam, @28; murad.com

30s – A natural slowdown in cell turnover causes dead skin cells to accumulate in pores, says New York dermatologist Joshua Zeichner. Applying a lightweight lotion with retinol in the evening can help boost your cellular renewal rate, while a serum with salicylic acid (BHA) will dissolve anydebris stuck in pores. The fix: Renee Rouleau BHA Clarifying Serum, $45; reneerouleau.com. Dr. Brandt Pores No More Anti-Aging Mattifying Lotion, $60; drbrandtskincare.com.

40s – As collagen levels decline with age and skin loses elasticity, pore walls start to slacken and expand, which can make pores look bigger, explains Dr. Zeichner. The antidote? Anti-aging creams with retinols. “These plump the skin, making pores look smaller,” says Dr. MacGregor. Weekly at-home peels with glycolic acid can help eliminate pore-clogging flakes. The fix: Strivectin-AR Advanced Retinol Night Treatment, $109; strivectin.com. Brazilian Peel with Advanced Renewal Serum, $89; brazilianpeel.com.

50s and Over – With age comes wisdom—and thinner, drier skim, since your moisture and collagen production slow over time. Dead skin cells can become lodged in pores, creating a dull complexion with noticeably enlarged pores. To boost cell turnover, opt for a prescription-strength retinoid with moisturizing benefits (like Renova). A weekly at-home microdermabrasion kit will turbocharge exfoliation. The fix: Pro-X by Olay Microdermabrasion and Advanced Cleansing System, $42; at drugstores

Magic Erasers: Poof! Makeup artist Nick Barose, who has worked with Amy Adams divuleges his best-kept secrets for camouflaging pores in minutes.

1) Prime Your Face – Smooth the surface of your skin with a silicone-based gel; this fills in the tiny holes at the openings of the pores. Tarte Clean Slate Poreless 12-hour Perfecting Primer, $30;sephora.com.

2) Sponge On Foundation – Go for a lightweight formula with exfoliating salicylic acid to unclog pores while hiding them. Clinique Pore Refining Solutions Instant Perfecting Makeup in Alabaster, Sand, and Expresso, $27 each; Clinique.com.

3) Dust on Powder – A matte powder with optical diffusers further blurs imperfections, making pores appear even less conspicuous. Nars Light Refelcting Pressed Setting Powder, $34;narscosmetics.com.