Ah, pores. How we hate dry, itchy skin which can be unbearable.

Dry skin can happen any time during the year, but is most prevalent in winter (hence the term, "winter itch").

Find out why your skin tends to be dry in winter and how to solve dry hands, feet, body, face and lips year round.

Why Do I Suffer From Dry Skin in the winter?

In winter, low temperatures, low humidity and strong, harsh winds deplete skin of its natural lipid layer,

Which keeps the skin from drying out.

If you have large pores you can probably relate.

First and Foremost:  Can I Really Shrink My Pores: Everyone has pores.

Pores are actually your hair follicles.

Everyone has hair follicles over their entire body, except for the palms of your hands and soles of your feet, thus everyone has pores.

Genetics play into the size of your pores, but that doesn't mean you can't take steps to make sure you're not doing something to make them appear larger than they have to.

Pick the Right Cleanser:  A cleanser that will help de-clog your pores is what you need to start the process.

Pick one with salicylic acid, which will help reduce the dead skin cells which can get stuck in your pores. It will also help reduce the oil on your skin, which can make your pores look bigger.

Neutrogena makes a great line of acne washes that fit the bill.

Exfoliate:  This step is huge.  Exfoliating on a regular basis will definitely give the appearance of shrinking pores.

If you are routinely getting the dead skin cells, which get clogged in your pores, off of your skin, your pores will avoid getting stretched out daily.

Use a clean washcloth with your daily cleanser to help gently exfoliate your skin.

Don't Pick! When your pores are clogged, there is nothing harder to fight off than the desire to pick and poke and prod.

Just don't!  When you are pulling and squeezing your skin, you can cause trauma to your pores which can leave them permanently enlarged.

Plus, you're adding dirt and oil from your hands to the mix which can cause breakouts and infection.

Minimize the Appearance of Your Pores with a Primer: A primer is a great pore camouflage.

(They can also help with oily eyelids) Do you ever notice your foundation getting clogged in your pores?

Many times your pores look larger after you apply your makeup, which is the exact opposite of what you want it to do! A primer sits at the surface of your skin and creates a sort of barrier between your makeup and skin.

It won't get stuck in the pores and it will overall improve the appearance of your skin.