2. Exfoliation

Blackheads (open comedones) which turn dark due to oxidation can make the pores more visible and 'dirty-looking'. Exfoliants can improve the appearance of large pores by removing sebum and dead skin cells trapped inside the pores. This helps even the skin surface for a smoother and more radiant complexion.

Actually, there are two kinds of exfoliants -- physical and chemical exfoliants -- and both help rid the skin of dullness-causing dead cells. Physical exfoliants include products such as facial scrubs while chemical exfoliants like AHA (alpha hydroxy acids) and BHA (salicylic acids) remove grime and other debris chemically.

With regular exfoliation, you can prevent the buildup of sebum and dead skin cells which can lead to the formation of comedones.

3. Illumination

An otherwise smooth complexion dotted with dark pores will make the pores look larger than life. In other words, pores look enlarged because there is poor light reflection within the pores, thus making them appear dark and obvious.

Using illuminating products containing light-reflective or light-diffusing particles can fix this problem. These fine particles catch the light and reflect it back more evenly to create a smoother and poreless complexion. Many moisturizers and foundations contain these ingredients. For moisturizers, apply them before your foundation, or simply mix these into your foundation.