Pore Reduction Methods

Large pores often plague women with oily skin. To treat and minimize pore appearance, look for skin products and makeup which tout their "pore minimizing," "toning" or "astringent" qualities. Alternatively, create your own pore-minimizing routine with natural products. Always check with your doctor or dermatologist before trying new products or ingredients, and try them on a small amount of skin first to rule out allergies.

Creams and Lotions

Several cosmetics companies sell lotions specifically geared to reducing pores. Look for a post-cleansing face lotion containing alpha hydroxy acids, which refine pores by clearing away dead skin cells. Pore-minimizing lotions act as makeup bases while filling in pores. Use them alone or under water-based foundations.

Astringents

Astringents, also known as toners, refine and tighten skin, reducing the appearance of large pores. They can be splashed on, applied with a cotton ball or used as a spray mist. Dina Falconi, author of "Earthly Bodies and Heavenly Hair," recommends plain cold water, fresh-squeezed orange juice or lemon juice diluted in water for face splashes. For both commercial and drugstore toners, the higher the concentration of vinegar or alcohol, the more drying it can be to your skin. Witch hazel is a natural, pore-tightening alcohol-based herbal astringent available at drug and health food stores. Alternatively, make your own pore-tightening astringent by combining either all vinegar, or one part 80-proof alcohol to two parts water, with astringent essential oils like grapefruit, tea tree, lavender or yarrow. Use about 20 drops essential oil for every 2 oz. liquid.

Masks

Masks with drying and astringent properties help cleanse and reduce large pores, according to Kathi Keville, author of "Herbs for Health and Healing." Use a store-bought mask which contains clay, or make your own by combining about 1 tsp. of facial clay with an equal amount of astringent herbs such as strawberry leaves, and a drop or two of chamomile and tea tree essential oils. Add enough water to form a paste, apply to skin and leave on for about 10 minutes. Rinse and gently pat dry. Use this mask as a weekly pore-tightening treatment.

Facial Steams

Facial streams make your skin receptive to deep cleansing and toning. Before you use astringents to close pores, it helps to rid them of the oils and dirt which enlarge pores in the first place. To steam oily and large-pored complexions, add herbs or essential oils to a basin of just-boiled water. Useful herbs or oils include fresh or dried lemongrass, rosemary, lavender and chamomile. Use 4 to 5 tsp. herbs or 4 to 5 drops essential oils. Keeping your face 12 inches from the water, cover both your head and the basin with a towel to create a steam tent. Steam your face for about five minutes, and follow up with an astringent or a cleansing mask.

Makeup

The right kind of makeup helps reduce the appearance of large pores. Apply a pore-minimizing cream, then use water-based foundation. Avoid the use of light-reflecting blushes or powders, which tend to highlight wrinkles and pores.