I can't recommend a pore refiner, but have you tried derma-blend concealer? I think that is the name. It can be used to cover scars and burns but is not supposed to be heavy. Obviously I've never tried it myself, but have heard it is good.

Also, Clinique has that newer stuff that supposedly fades age/sun spots. I'd give it a try! It has good reviews. I have a few "freckles" from the sun. I, too, wear sunscreen now, but didn't used to and we are big on outdoor activities, boating included. I think I'm going to try the spot stuff. Luckily, my spots are tiny - but I'd like it better if they were gone! LOL

tina

I recently discovered primer and boy, does it work well for me as a substitute for foundation or underneath it. I use a primer from a brand called Two-Faced that I got at Ulta. First I was lucky enough to score a couple of sample tubes to try, so I knew what I was getting when I sprung for the $30 tube. Sometimes these stores have samples of specific products, Sephora esp. so you can try before you buy. Also, lots of make up stores have good return policies, so you can return it if you hate it.

I know this isn't what you asked for, but when I went to the dermatologist recently she gave me something called "Replenix" to try. I have tried retin-a products in the past but they were always too harsh for my skin so she recommended this. It is a retinol product which is milder than retin-a products but works like retin-a to make pores smaller and reduce sun damage and I believe it would probably eventually remove the spots you are talking about. It is not a prescription item - you can buy it on amazon and other places. There are various strengths - I started with 3x and have just ordered 6x and I think it goes up to 10x. I use a tinted moisturizer from Smashbox which I like and it has sun protection in it too I think, but it is lighter than a concealer. Good luck - I too am fair-skinned and beginning to pay for all the years when I was younger and lived in the sun, using baby oil mixed with iodine for a tan.

That Replenix sounds good. I have been using Roc's night retinol product and it was starting to make my face a bit dry and flaky. So I remembered reading that glycerin was good for dry skin. I mixed some with water and applied it to my face, and the flakies went away within a day. I have since filled a small spray bottle with rosewater and glycerin (about 4 parts rosewater to 1 part glycerin), and spray 2 - 3 sprays into my hands then apply to my face. People at work have asked me what I have been using on my skin - they say it's glowing, which is nice to hear at 53!

I use the Clinique pore minimizer. It works great for my purpose. However, the only negative is that it makes my nose flaky sometimes, although it could just be my dry skin as opposed to their product.

terriks, I use the Roc retinol night cream and it will make my face flaky if I don't wait at least 30 minutes after washing it. The skin has to be completely dry or else it will flake.

I was waiting to put it on, but as I said, since I've been using the glycerin and rosewater, I don't have a problem with flaking at all - and I'm glowing! (or so I'm told)

BTW, I only use the glycerin and rosewater in the morning.

I've been out of town and today was the first time I could check the messages. Thanks, Gail, for suggesting the Replenix, I think I will try that. I've used Roc moisturizer and the night cream with retinol, without any adverse problems, so this might work for me.
Tina, I heard about the Clinque product, but read up on it pretty thoroughly on the Internet and there were too many people, (I though), who felt it was a wasn't worth the $$, so I've been hesitant to shell out for it. I may, though, just to see if it could help.

Thanks for everyone's feedback.

I have a Clarisonic and it does wonders for pores. I had one large pore, I always noticed when putting on makeup and it is gone! The Clarisonic is quite expensive to some, but totally worth it. I like how it exfoliates, which is why I even got it. I use it everynight, and hubby does too!

Nanny - you might be interested in the thread I started today.

tina

Have you been to a dermatologist? There is probably a lot that can be done to to reduce or remove those age spots rather then just cover them up. Hopefully you are now using a good sunscreen everyday.