15 of The Best Foundations That Actually Target Large Pores
The right foundation (and application technique) can make a world of difference when it comes to minimizing the look of large pores.
So many beauties are searching for the best foundation to minimize pores…Is liquid or powder foundation better for large pores? Is matte foundation better than a dewy foundation? The simple answer is, it depends.
The best way to hide large pores is to choose a foundation that is formulated to smooth and blur the skin, AND works for your skin type (oily skin, dry skin, etc.).
But, you don’t need a full coverage foundation to get the best results.
Small Pores Makeup Prep – How To Make Your Pores Shrink!
Use Toner – Look for a toner that improves skin texture and skin tone.
Toners that exfoliate, target texture or has active ingredients like AHA or BHA are the best for shrinking pores.
Adding a good resurfacing toner to your skincare routine will help reduce the look of pores by smoothing and evening out the skin over time.
Top rated toners:
- Benefit – The POREfessional Tight ‘n Toned Pore-Refining AHA+PHA Toner $34
- Good Molecules – Niacinamide Brightening Toner $14
- Pixi Beauty – Clarity Tonic $18
Read: Face Toners – The Skin Care Product Gets a Reboot by The Cleveland Clinic
Try Ice Rolling – Temporarily shrink those pores.
This technique went viral recently on social media.
Using an ice roller (or ice cubes, but be careful) before makeup application is said to tighten the skin and reduce the look of pores…temporarily.
Plus, it depuffs the skin and feels luxurious…total at home spa vibes.
Top rated ice rollers:
- Esarora – Ice Roller $18.99
- Flawless by Finishing Touch – Flawless Ice Roller $9.99
- The Vintage Cosmetic Company – Ice Roller $12.99
Apply primer – Does primer help with large pores? Yes!
Primer acts a barrier between your skin and the foundation.
Oily and Combination skin beauties benefit from primer even more because shiny or glowy skin can sometimes make pores appear even larger!
Top rated primers:
- NYX Professional Makeup – Pore Filler Blurring Primer $15
- Smashbox – The Original Photo Finish Smooth & Blur Oil-Free Primer $42
- Benefit Cosmetics – The POREfessional Pore Minimizing Primer $34
The best way to get rid of large pores come from good makeup prep + a pore smoothing foundation.
15 Of The Best Foundations That Actually Target Large Pores
What is the best foundation for hiding large pores? There’s more than one! Check out this list of the Best Foundations For Large Pores below.
NARS Light Reflecting Advanced Skincare Foundation
The NARS Light Reflecting Advanced Skincare Foundation ($50) is described as a “makeup-skincare hybrid that instantly blurs and smooths” the skin over time.
It also blurs wrinkles, pores, and texture by using Biomimetic oat, Japanese lilyturf, Cacao peptides and Milk Thistle. No wonder makeup artists and beauties with mature skin love this foundation!
Looking for a similar foundation for oily skin types?
The NARS Soft Matte Foundation doesn’t specifically target pores, but it does target excess oil, has great coverage (full coverage) and includes Hyaluronic Acid in the formula. This long-wear formula also lasts up to 16 hours wear time.
Read: NARS Soft Matte Complete Foundation Review in Marquises + Swatches
Rare Beauty Liquid Touch Weightless Foundation
The Rare Beauty Liquid Touch Weightless Foundation ($30) is a medium buildable coverage foundation that evens out skin tone and smooths the look of pores without clogging or caking up.
It’s formula includes a blend of Lotus, Gardenia, and Water Lily to “helps soothe, calm, and nourish skin” as well.
You’re sure to get the perfect match with this foundation that has a great shade range and long-lasting formula.
ONE/SIZE by Patrick Starrr Turn Up the Base Blurring Foundation
The Turn Up the Base Blurring Foundation ($35) is a “texture blurring” medium coverage foundation with a unique mousse-like texture.
It’s infused with Japanese White Rose Stem Cells that are believed to balance the skins oils, control shine, and improve the appearance of skin texture over time.
Don’t forget to pair this flawless look foundation with their viral setting spray called the “On Til Dawn” Waterproof Setting Spray ($32)
Neutrogena Clear Coverage Flawless Matte CC Cream
Neutrogena’s Clear Coverage Flawless Matte CC Cream ($14.99) was developed with dermatologists specifically for acne-prone skin.
Its creamy formula “blurs the look of discoloration, redness, and blurs the appearance of pores” for a natural look finish.
The formula also includes niacinamide to even the skin over time.
BLK/OPL Pore Perfecting Liquid Foundation
The BLK/OPL Pore Perfecting Liquid Foundation ($14.25) has a pore-perfecting formula that reduces appearance of pores over time using Lentil extracts.
It also has a dewy radiant finish, which is perfect for beauties who want to blur the look of pores but don’t want a matte finish.
Big pores be gone!
L’Oréal Infallible Pro-Matte Liquid Longwear Foundation
L’Oréal’s Infallible Pro-Matte Liquid Longwear Foundation ($14.99) is a drugstore classic!
Its matte finish hides imperfections and minimizes the appearance of pores while maintaining an “air-light texture”.
Try applying this lightweight formula foundation with a makeup sponge for a natural-looking finish.
Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Foundation
The Double Wear Stay-in-Place Foundation ($49) is another classic foundation for stay power, lasting up to 24 hours!
This Estee Lauder foundation won’t settle into fine lines or pores, and won’t clog the pores (non-acnegenic) for a flawless, natural, matte finish.
Plus, this long time foundation favorite has over 50 different shades!
UOMA Beauty Say What?! Foundation
The Say What Foundation ($39) is formulated to conceal imperfections, minimize the appearance of pores while softening fine lines and concealing redness, rosacea and dark spots.
Its unique formula is also infused with Berry extracts to nourish and hydrated the skin.
The best thing about this product is the flawless skin and smooth finish result, without looking too matte!
Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Foundation
The Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Foundation ($9.99) has been in stock at local drugstores for about a decade…its that good!
Maybelline’s exclusive matte foundation formula features micro-powders to control shine and blur pores.
It’s truly the perfect foundation for minimizing pores under $10!
Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Eaze Drop Blurring Skin Tint
Rihanna’s Eaze Drop Blurring Skin Tint ($35) is a tinted moisturizer that quickly and visibly evens out complexion with a blurred effect.
It’s also humidity-, sweat-, and transfer-resistant.
A great option for beauties with an uneven skin tone, that don’t want to wear full-coverage foundation!
MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation
The classic MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation ($42) is a powder foundation that “immediately reduces appearance of pores” while controlling oil and shine for 12 hours.
It’s also “non-caking, non-streaking and non-settling”.
MAC makeup products always deliver on the right formula and finish, and this compact foundation is no different!
Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Perfect Glow Flawless Oil-Free Foundation
Armani Beauty’s Luminous Silk Perfect Glow Flawless Oil-Free Foundation ($69) is formulated with an exclusive “Micro–fil technology” to brighten the skin and give a glowy, natural luminous finish.
But it also improves texture and blurs imperfections for all day wear.
This foundation also comes in a Travel Size for on-the-go!
NYX Professional Makeup Bare With Me Blur Tint Soft Matte Foundation
The NYX Professional Makeup Bare With Me Blur Tint Soft Matte Foundation ($14) is a blurring foundation formulated with skin loving ingredients like Glycerin, Matcha and Niacinamide.
This oil-free formula foundation blurs imperfections, pores, discoloration, and texture while providing 16 hours of wear!
Questions & Answers on hiding large pores
Is matte or dewy foundation better for large pores?
It depends. Many brands market their matte foundations to also include blurring, and smoothing properties. However, the makeup industry is always changing. Right now, “natural finish” foundation products are more popular.
Natural finish foundations work for both matte and dewy skin lovers, and still have the same blurring and smoothing benefits that can help with large pores.
What type of foundation should I buy for large pores?
If you aren’t sure what to choose, try a natural finish foundation that includes pore minimizing key words in its description (see below), and try to prep your skin before makeup application for the best pore smoothing results.
Why do your pores look so big with foundation?
It comes down to the right skincare preparation and a foundation that targets the appearance of large pores.
