How to get rid of large pores

What causes large pores?

Pores are openings for sweat and oil to leave the skin, not tiny doors that have misplaced the key. Genetics largely sets their size, and pores can be more prominent in the center of the face, where more oil glands sit.4

Extra oil, acne, products that clog pores, larger hair follicles, sun damage and age related loss of skin elasticity can all make pores stand out. Hormonal changes can increase oil production, and pores often become more noticeable as the skin loses firmness with age.45

A clogged pore is not the same thing as a large looking pore. Oil and buildup can widen a pore, but enlarged pores do not always mean there is a current clog.3

Can you shrink pores?

Not permanently: skincare can clear oil and debris or help protect skin firmness, which makes pores look smaller without changing their basic size. A cold roller can make skin feel tighter for a few minutes before the effect fades as skin warms, which is a short lease on a very small improvement. Red light devices have not been shown to reduce pore size. A magnifying mirror can turn pores into a full time project, though other people are not looking at your face that closely.4

How to make pores look smaller

Keep the routine gentle. Scrubbing, picking or squeezing can irritate skin and make pores more noticeable.2

1. 1Wash your face morning and evening with warm water and a gentle cleanser, and wash after exercise. Hot water and rough scrubbing can irritate skin.
2. 2Choose noncomedogenic or oil free products for your face and makeup. Noncomedogenic means a product will not clog pores; avoid squeezing or digging into pores.
3. 3If clogged pores or acne are part of the problem, try a cleanser with salicylic acid. Some are gentle enough for daily use. If it dries or irritates your skin, alternate with a mild cleanser in the morning and use the salicylic acid cleanser at night.
4. 4If oily skin, mild acne or reduced firmness makes pores stand out, consider retinol at bedtime. Start with a thin layer twice a week and increase gradually as your skin tolerates it. If irritation is a concern, wash your face and wait 30 minutes before applying retinol, then finish with a noncomedogenic moisturizer.
5. 5Apply a broad spectrum, water resistant sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher every day, even when it is cloudy or cold. Sun damage weakens skin firmness and can make pores look larger.

What skincare ingredients help with enlarged pores?

• Salicylic acid helps unclog pores. It is used in cleansers, and some formulas can be used daily. If it dries or irritates your skin, alternate with a gentle cleanser rather than using the salicylic acid cleanser twice a day.
• Retinol helps clear pore buildup and supports collagen production. Retinyl palmitate may also help when oily skin, mild acne or less firm skin makes pores more visible. Retinol can irritate skin, so start slowly and use it at night.
• Alpha hydroxy acids such as glycolic acid and beta hydroxy acids such as salicylic acid are used in exfoliating products and peels. At home peels are used every two weeks, or sometimes weekly depending on the peel type and depth. Acid products in toners, serums and treatments use smaller doses.

How long does it take to see a change?

Retinol starts working in skin cells right away, but visible improvement takes several weeks. Skin can look worse at first while it adjusts. The goal is less noticeable pores, not pores that disappear.6

When should you use extra care?

Retinol can cause dryness, redness, peeling, itching or burning. Patch test a new product before applying it to your face, and start at a low frequency. If your skin is sensitive or allergy prone, retinol may not be a good fit. Do not use retinol or retinyl palmitate during pregnancy or breastfeeding. During pregnancy, experts also recommend stopping topical tretinoin and adapalene; ask your obstetrician or dermatologist about acne products.267

When should you see a dermatologist?

If the concern bothers you or a consistent over the counter routine has not helped after a month or two, a dermatologist can assess your skin and discuss options. Office exfoliation, laser treatment and radiofrequency microneedling are among the approaches that may help enlarged pores.15