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The question

I have visible pores on my nose and cheeks. Can I get rid of the problem permanently? If not, how can I diminish them? Are there any natural options?

The answer

Sad news first: There is no way to get rid of your pores.

Happy news: There are options to minimize their size and prominence and a few are as natural as it gets. As a rule, you'll want to buff away anything that may be clogging your pores; using a gentle cleansing scrub will help break up the oil and dirt that are probably lodged in them.

A natural way to minimize the appearance of your pores is to use ice-cold water or an ice cube over your face. The temperature of the water will help to temporarily shrink them and ready your skin for moisturizing, which is also important. If your skin is dry, larger pores may end up becoming even more apparent.

Last but not least, you can use a skin "refiner" or a primer to help reduce oil production during the day and also make the surface of the skin smoother, which in turn allows your foundation to go on evenly.

Bahar Niramwalla is a celebrity makeup artist and beauty expert who has appeared on The Marilyn Denis Show on CTV. Have a beauty question? E-mail style@globeandmail.com.

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