Can You Actually Make Your Pores Smaller?
Pores are like that one relative everyone has an opinion about—some want them to change, others pretend they don't exist, and most just wish they'd be less obvious at family gatherings. The beauty industry certainly hasn't helped, flooding the market with products promising to "shrink," "minimize," or straight-up "erase" them. Scroll through social media, and you'll find endless tutorials about making pores disappear (spoiler alert: those filters aren't doing you any favors). The truth about pores is both simpler and more complex than most skincare brands want you to believe. While you can't exactly shrink them (sorry,) you can stop them from becoming larger than they need to be. So, before you spend another fortune on “miracle serums for large pores,” let's talk about what truly works—and what's just clever marketing wrapped in pretty packaging.
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Summary
- What Are Pores? Pores are essential openings on the skin that release sebum, regulate temperature, and remove waste. They are integral to skin health, even if they can sometimes be more noticeable, especially on oily skin.
- What causes of Large Pores: Excess Oil Production, Decrease in Collagen, Sun Damage, Dead Skin & Buildup, Genetics, Hormonal Changes
- Can You Shrink Your Pores? Permanent reduction isn't possible, as pore size is mainly determined by genetics and age. Temporary improvements are possible through treatments that enhance collagen production, but they aren't lasting changes.
- Be Gentler with Your Skin: Use mild products that protect the skin barrier and maintain its microbiome balance.
- Rethink Cleansing: Avoid harsh cleansers that strip natural oils; opt for gentle formulae with ingredients like ceramides.
- Make Sunscreen Non-Negotiable: Daily use of broad-spectrum sunscreen prevents collagen breakdown and helps maintain pore appearance.
- Choose Makeup Wisely: Choose Makeup Wisely
What are Pores & Why Do We Have Them?
Time for a little Pores 101. Take a closer look at your skin and you'll see them— those tiny openings that seem to attract more attention than they deserve (and not in a good way, at that). But these structures do more than just show up in those selfies you keep editing; they're sophisticated channels that keep your skin functioning properly. Each one houses a hair follicle or an oil gland (and sometimes both), silently maintaining your skin's daily functions.
They are responsible for:
- Releasing sebum to moisturize and protect skin from environmental damage
- Regulating body temperature through sweat
- Removing unwanted substances to maintain skin health
They're your built-in protection system, cooling mechanism, and cleaning crew all in one. Not exactly something you want to erase. Yes, some are more noticeable than others, particularly if your skin runs on the oily side. But they're as much a part of healthy skin as anything else—even if beauty filters try to pretend otherwise.
What Causes Large Pores?
Your pores don't just wake up one day and decide to become more visible. There's usually a reason (or several) behind what you’re seeing. Here are some factors that can make your pores look bigger:
1. Excess Oil Production
When your oil glands go into overdrive, they end up producing more oil than your skin needs, which then collects around pore openings, making them look bigger, especially in areas like your nose, forehead, and cheeks where oil glands are naturally more active.
2. Decease in Collagen
Your skin relies on collagen to stay firm and keep pores in line. Problem is, your body produces less of it as you age, which means those once-tight pores start losing their natural support. And it shows.
3. Sun Damage
Sunscreen isn't just about preventing burns and premature aging. Every time UV rays hit unprotected skin, they're breaking down the structure that keeps pores tight and compact. No prizes for guessing what happens next.
4. Dead Skin & Buildup
Your pores weren't designed to store dead skin cells and daily grime. When this debris builds up, it stretches them out like an overpacked bag—and they stay that way until properly cleared.
5. Genetics
Pore size isn't just about how well you cleanse or what products you use. Your DNA plays a major role in determining their natural size and visibility—something those miracle-promising serums conveniently forget to mention.
6. Hormonal Changes
Puberty, periods, pregnancy—any time your hormones decide to throw a party, your pores get the memo. These fluctuations trigger extra oil production, making pores look temporarily larger.
Can You Shrink Your Pores?
Let's address the elephant in the room: permanent pore shrinking is about as real as a skincare unicorn. Despite what expensive serums and treatments promise, your pore size mainly comes down to genetics, skin type, and age—factors that no miracle product can permanently change. Sure, treatments like lasers and radiofrequency can temporarily improve their appearance by boosting collagen production, but these effects are definitely not permanent. Your skin structure, including pore size, is pretty much set in stone. It's like your height—you can stand straighter or wear heels, but you can't actually change your basic structure.
4 Ways to Make Your Pores Look Smaller
1. Be Gentler with Your Skin
News flash: your pores don't respond well to tough love. Those harsh products promising to "shrink" or "tighten" them? About as helpful as using a sledgehammer to hang a picture. Harsh scrubs and aggressive products don't discipline pores—they just irritate your skin and disrupt its natural balance. When you maintain your skin's microbiome (those good bacteria keeping everything in check), your pores are less likely to throw tantrums. The key? Gentle cleansing that respects your skin barrier, not boot camp tactics.
2. Rethink Your Cleansing Game
That squeaky-clean feeling after washing your face? Hate to break it to you, but it's actually a warning sign. Harsh cleansers loaded with sulfates and alcohol might feel like they're doing the job, but they're secretly making your pores more visible by stripping away natural oils. Switch to gentle, barrier-friendly cleansers that remove dirt without declaring war on your skin's natural moisture. Look for ingredients like ceramides and hyaluronic acid that help maintain balance while still getting rid of makeup, oil, and daily grime. If your skin feels tight or stripped after cleansing, your cleanser isn't "working better"—it's just causing damage.
Speaking of which, our Acne Deep Clearing Cleanser is the perfect tool in your oily skin regime. Co-created with dermatologists and backed by over 9 decades of research, this formula features the revolutionary TT2 technology which combines thymol and terpineol to combat acne and excess sebum production without damaging your skin the process. unlike salicylic acid cleansers which end up blindly wiping out both good and bad bacteria, our expert formula is intelligent enough to kill only the harmful, acne-causing bacteria while preserving the good ones so that your skin microbiome stays balanced and can support your skin health. This not only helps reduce acne starting from the 6th wash* (over 3 days) but also reduce the appearance of pores.
3. Make Sunscreen Non-Negotiable
Here's something the "pore-minimizing" products don't tell you: UV rays are probably your pores' biggest enemy. They silently break down collagen (your skin's natural support system), leaving pores without their firm foundation. When this support weakens, pores become more noticeable—no matter how many pore-shrinking products you've invested in. Daily broad-spectrum sun protection with SPF 30 or higher isn't just good advice, it's essential for keeping your skin's structure strong and pores from becoming more visible over time.
4. Choose Your Makeup Wisely
Not all makeup is created equal. Some formulas are basically treating your pores like tiny storage units. That said, we're not suggesting you abandon your entire makeup collection. But consider investing in lightweight products that won't clog your pores—because breaking up with bad makeup is better than breaking out. Choose what you put on your face like you choose your Netflix shows—with standards. Instead of products that suffocate your skin, go for non-comedogenic, oil-free formulas that let it breathe.
FAQ's
1. What causes large pores?
A. Large pores are rarely about just one thing. The key deciding factor is genetics, but that's not the only cause. Other factors like overactive oil grands, decrease in collagen levels (aka aging), hormonal fluctuations, and even unprotected sun exposure, can all end up making your pores look unusually big. Not to mention using comedogenic skincare and/or makeup products and clog your pores and trigger excess oil production, stretching them out and making them look bigger.
2. At what age do pores enlarge?
A: It's always better to let a pimple heal on its own. While popping might feel satisfying in the moment, it often leads to more problems: bacterial infections, permanent scarring, and slower healing. A pimple left alone normally heals within days, without leaving noticeable marks. For quicker results, try a targeted solution like Novology's Acne Rescue Spot Corrector, which fights active acne without compromising your skin's health. For optimal results, complement this spot corrector with a gentle yet effective anti-acne serum.
3. How to reduce large, open pores on the face?
A. While you can't permanently shrink pores, you can keep them from becoming more noticeable. Managing visible pores comes down to consistent, gentle care. Start with gentle but effective cleansing to prevent oil and debris from settling in and stretching pores further, but make sure to avoid harsh scrubs and exfoliators that can leave your skin feeling stripped, dry, and irritated. Protection against sun damage plays a crucial role too—it prevents the breakdown of collagen that can make pores appear larger over time. Look for products that keep pores clear without causing congestion, especially those that support your skin's natural firmness.