1. Dr. Brandt Skincare Pores No More Pore Refiner
$45, drbrandtskincare.com
This longtime celebrity favorite relies on tea tree oil to reduce oil production, and flaxseed extract to create a smooth, matte finish; both help to quickly blur pores and make them appear smaller. The portable container is perfect for midday touchups, too.
2. Make up For Ever HD Microfinish Powder
$34, Sephora.com
TV and movie makeup artists swear by this translucent, ultra-fine finishing powder to make anyone’s skin look better, even in high def. Milled entirely from mineral silica, it seems to float on skin and photoshop out lines and enlarged pores (unlike talc-based powders, which settle into creases and can make your complexion look dry and cakey).
3. L’Oreal Paris Revitalift Miracle Blur
$19.99, target.com
Quite possibly the best $20 you’ll ever spend on your skin, this slick, colorless mattifying potion instantly diffuses lines and makes your complexion look like it’s in softer focus. Silica and dimethicone work together as a great hydrating primer, especially in the summer months, when you need less moisture. Apply under makeup for an almost-airbrushed effect.
4. Mirvaso
Available Only By Prescription
Looking red-hot is good, unless you’re referring to the rosacea that causes intense facial flushing for millions of women (mainly those over 30). Since the acne-like redness is exacerbated by some favorite things—red wine, spicy foods, working out, sun and heat—it’s even more frustrating that until now there was no fast-acting treatment. Enter Mirvaso. The topical gel causes blood vessels to tighten temporarily, so redness is reduced within minutes (and stays away for up to 12 hours).
5. Tria Age-Defying Laser
$495, Sephora.com
Doctor’s office laser treatments stimulate collagen to reduce fine lines and fade dark spots, but if you want to do so in your own home, Tria is the next-best thing. FDA-approved for home use, it’s designed to glide over your face (as often as nightly), and is a much milder version of a fractional nonablative laser. Users report an improvement in skin texture and smoothness, and better absorption of creams and serums within the first month.
6. Neotensil
Available Only From a Physician
$500 for a three-month supply
Remember the first time you slipped into Spanx and saw an instantly smoother you? Meet the under-eye version of shapewear—a thin, invisible film that adheres to the skin to smooth and tighten. “If you have bags under your eyes but don’t want surgery, it’s a great solution—the first of its kind,” says Dr. Elizabeth Tanzi, co-director of Washington Institute of Dermatologic Laser Surgery. “It takes a few minutes to apply and an hour to see results, which last 14 to 16 hours.”
