Pores are one of the most misunderstood parts of the skin.
Many products promise to "shrink" them, "erase" them, or make them disappear altogether. In reality, pores are a normal and essential part of healthy skin—and understanding how they work is far more valuable than trying to eliminate them.
The goal isn't poreless skin. It's healthy skin that functions well.
What are pores?
Pores are tiny openings on the skins surface that connect to hair follicles and glands beneath the skin.
The pores most people notice are connected to sebaceous (oil) glands, which produce sebum. Sebum helps lubricate the skin, supports the skin barrier, and reduces excessive water loss.
Sweat glands also open onto the skin through tiny ducts, but these openings are generally not the pores people are referring to when they talk about visible pores.
Without pores, your skin couldn't perform many of its normal protective functions.
Why do some pores look larger?
Everyone has pores, but not everyones are equally visible.
How noticeable they appear is influenced by several factors, including:
Genetics
Your natural pore size is largely inherited. Some people simply have more visible pores than others, regardless of their skincare routine.
Oil production
People with oilier skin often have more noticeable pores because increased sebum can make the pore opening appear larger.
Ageing
Collagen and elastin provide structural support around the pore. As these proteins naturally decline with age and sun exposure, the surrounding skin becomes less firm, making pores appear more prominent.
Congestion
When excess oil and dead skin cells accumulate inside the pore, it can stretch the opening and make it more noticeable.
Sun exposure
Ultraviolet (UV) radiation accelerates collagen breakdown over time, reducing the skin's structural support and contributing to enlarged-looking pores.
Can you actually shrink pores?
Not permanently.
Pore size is determined largely by your anatomy and genetics. Pores don't contain muscles, so they can't open and close, despite what many skincare myths suggest.
What can change is their appearance.
When pores remain clear, the surrounding skin is well supported, and the skin barrier is healthy, pores often appear less noticeable.
The goal isn't smaller pores—it's healthier skin.
What actually helps?
There isn't a single ingredient that changes pore size, but several evidence-based approaches can improve how pores appear over time.
Keep pores clear
Gentle cleansing and appropriate exfoliation can help remove excess oil and dead skin cells before they build up inside the pore.
For oily or congestion-prone skin, salicylic acid (BHA) can be particularly effective because it is oil-soluble and works within the pore lining.
Support collagen
Retinoids have well-established evidence for stimulating collagen production and improving overall skin texture over time.
Daily sunscreen is equally important, as preventing collagen breakdown is just as valuable as supporting collagen production.
Protect the skin barrier
Healthy skin is generally more resilient, hydrated, and balanced.
Using gentle cleansers, avoiding unnecessary over-exfoliation, and maintaining a consistent moisturising routine helps support the skin barrier, which can improve the skins overall texture and appearance.
Common myths about pores
"Hot water opens pores and cold water closes them."
Pores don't open and close. Heat may temporarily soften oil within the pore, and cold may reduce redness or swelling, but neither changes the structure of the pore itself.
"You need to scrub your pores clean."
Aggressive scrubbing doesn't shrink pores and can damage the skin barrier. Gentle, consistent skincare is far more effective than harsh exfoliation.
"Oily skin should skip moisturiser."
Even oily skin benefits from appropriate moisturising. Maintaining hydration and supporting the skin barrier can help improve overall skin function and reduce the temptation to over-cleanse.
The takeaway
Visible pores aren't a sign that something is wrong with your skin—they're part of healthy skin anatomy.
While skincare can't change your genetically determined pore size, it can support the health of the skin around each pore. Keeping pores clear, protecting collagen, supporting the skin barrier, and wearing sunscreen consistently can all help pores appear less noticeable over time.