Can TikTok's Prep & Prime Hack Really Banish Large Pores?

TikTok makeup artists and beauty content creators keep churning out beautifying hacks, and the aimless scrollers and dedicated inspo-seekers keep loving them. But as tempting as many of these makeup hacks circulating social media are, not everyone has the time to try every single one for themselves. The good news? We're here to make life easier for you by combing through the myriad hacks and telling you exactly which ones work best, and which ones do not. For example, don't try the pink face hack, where you smear blush all over your face before applying foundation — it's just your cheeks that need it, we promise. The "prep & prime" hack, on the other hand, is one of the better hacks out there. While it doesn't magically eliminate your large pores, it does do wonders for diminishing the look of them.

You'll just need your regular go-to skin products for this one — including moisturizer, primer, and setting powder and spray — but we're going to flip the order of application on its head for a revolutionary way to conceal those problematic pores. The result is a smooth and even base on which to create your perfect face of makeup without any pores in sight. 

The "prep & prime" hack popularized by certain users on TikTok, including vlogger Manny MUA himself, has been around for years. In other words, it's earned its tried and true status, and is trusted by many makeup artists for this reason. According to Manny, this hack will make your pores "disappear like our sanity in 2020."

The hack itself is as simple and unassuming as it sounds, though it may seem strange to makeup veterans. First things first, you're going to want to start with a well-moisturized base — well-moisturized pores are happy pores (and smaller, too) so no skimping on face cream before makeup. Then, once your moisturizer is more or less dry, Manny suggests going in with a layer of primer as normal, before adding a light layer of translucent setting powder. He stresses that you should only use a very small amount of powder before applying your foundation. As scary as it seems to do your makeup steps backward, this situation calls for it since this is the key step for blurring your pores.

Other versions of the hack actually favor applying both setting powder and setting spray before the primer. No matter which variation you go with, remember to apply your setting products first before your foundation. This hack doesn't permanently reduce your large pores, but it will conceal them so you can feel fabulous in your makeup.

No one single product, or hack, or skincare routine will actually make your pores disappear altogether. While tricks like the "prep & prime" hack do a fantastic job at creating a filter-like blurring effect in real life as much as on camera, your pores will still be there at the end of the day when you dutifully remove your makeup. That said, you can reduce their appearance, even if you experience large visible pores due to hormonal or genetic reasons.

You can effect small changes in size when following the correct skincare routine for your skin type — including cleanser, serums, moisturizers, and sunscreen that are free of inflammatory ingredients. In terms of what ingredients and products you should be looking for, retinol and niacinamide may have the ability to reduce the appearance of pores, as do glycolic, salicylic, and lactic acids. Also, don't forget to add a toner to your regime. "The interesting thing about pores is that if you can unclog them, and take care of them, they'll actually look smaller and get smaller," board-certified dermatologist Rachel Nazarian, M.D., told Allure. 

This being said, large pores can never actually be "banished," and being consistent with a good skin regimen is all you can do for healthy skin. So, show your pores some love by removing your makeup properly to unclog them nightly! This is especially relevant if you use the "prep & prime" hack, which can leave your makeup feeling heavier than normal.