How to Reduce Enlarged Pores: Causes, Treatments, and Tips

As you begin to enter your teenage or adulthood, your once smooth skin seems to get riddled with pores. Gathered around your nose and cheeks, enlarged, open pores could be a result of your genetics, lifestyle, or even environmental damage. With so many factors at play, understanding this skin concern can get tricky. To make things simpler, we have broken it down into this comprehensive guide about the causes and the treatment for open pores.

Keynotes:

• Big or enlarged pores are primarily caused by physiological factors like excessive sebum production, aging, sun damage, and genetics.
• One can't shrink pores permanently, but their appearance can be minimised with topical ingredients like niacinamide, retinoids, and salicylic acid.
• Open pores are often confused with enlarged pores. Pores cannot be opened or closed with skin care practices.
• Clinical treatments such as microneedling, chemical peels, and HydraFacial also help refine skin texture when performed by professionals.
• Consistent skincare, cleansing, and sun protection are key to managing visible pores.

Pores are the small openings on your skin that allow the natural oils, or sebum, to reach your skin. Pores exist all over your skin and are pilosebaceous, which means that every pore contains a hair follicle as well as a sebaceous gland or an oil gland. On the face, these pores may be gathered around your nose and cheeks. Some studies state that your normal pore size ranges between 0.1–0.6 mm2. However, at times, the pores on your skin may appear larger than that owing to a number of factors:

• Excessive Sebum:

  Pores let out oils or sebum onto the surface of your skin. While sebum is essential for maintaining the hydration and barrier function, too much of it can stretch the pore opening, making it appear larger. This is why people with oily skin typically have larger pores compared to those with normal to dry skin types.

• Aging:

  As you begin to age, collagen and elastin - the structural support of your skin- begin to wither. Your body produces less of the two, and your skin begins to sag, making pores look larger and more prominent. This is why pores appear larger on aging adults as compared to infants.

• Clogged Pores:

  When dead skin cells, dirt, or oil accumulate on the skin, they can clog your pores and cause them to stretch. These clogged pores can appear larger and can also lead to whiteheads, blackheads, pimples, and acne.

• Sun exposure:

  UV radiation breaks down collagen and elastin, worsening pore dilation over time. Chronic sun exposure also thickens the outer layer of your skin and makes your pores appear larger.

• Hormones:

  Hormonal imbalances at various stages of life, be it puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, or menopause, can spike sebum production and enlarge pores.

• Genetics and Ethnicity:

  Genetics play a large role when it comes to pore size. If your parents have visible pores or oily skin, you’re more likely to have them too. Certain ethnic groups, like Indian and Brazilian women, tend to have more visible pores while aging.

If you often find yourself asking ‘how to reduce open pores on face’, ‘how to get rid of face open pores’, or ‘how to treat open pores’, it’s time to take a beat. The pores on your skin, throughout, are always open and need to remain open for proper functioning. They let out sebum and sweat. Open pores help your skin remove waste and also help to control your body temperature.

Articles, tips, and products that promise ‘closed pores’ suggest tips that minimize the appearance of these pores by cleansing them. Steamers and toners help you do just that. Pores cannot be opened or closed, and larger pores due to genetics cannot be dramatically reduced. However, there are a few skincare tips that can act as a treatment for open pores.

While it's not possible to "close" pores entirely, several dermatologically proven treatments can act as a treatment for big pores by improving skin texture, regulating oil production, and stimulating collagen.

1. Topical Treatments

Topical treatments for open pores, like serums or exfoliants, can help you regulate sebum and clogging. Certain topical treatments can also help you stimulate collagen and elastin. If oily or aging skin is why you have large pores, try these skin actives:

• Niacinamide:

  Derived from vitamin B3, niacinamide helps you fight acne, strengthens the skin barrier, reduces inflammation, and controls sebum. Niacinamide helps your skin with improved elasticity and reduced pore size with consistent use.

• Retinoids:

  A vitamin A derivative, retinoids help skin-cell turnover and also boost collagen production. Regular use of retinoids helps shed old skin and gives room for new skin cells that are more refined.

• Salicylic Acid:

  As a beta-hydroxy acid exfoliant, salicylic acid can cut through oils and sebum to go deep in the skin's pores and unclog them. Salicylic acid is ideal for people with oily or acne-prone skin.

2. Professional Treatments

If topical skin care is not for you and you require more intensive treatment for open pores, talk to your dermatologist for clinical solutions. However, these treatments must be administered by professionals and not done at home.

• Microneedling:

  This treatment for big pores creates micro-injuries on your face using small needles. As a result, your skin begins to produce collagen to begin repair and healing, and in the process refines your pores and skin firmness.

• Chemical Peels:

  Topical exfoliants like glycolic acid and salicylic acid can also be used in higher concentrations as chemical peels. They help you reduce oiliness and stimulate collagen. Peels need to be performed under clinical guidance at regular intervals and may make your skin photosensitive.

• HydraFacial:

  This treatment for open pores uses a vacuum-like device to remove all impurities from your skin and pores while adding humectants and antioxidants to your skin.

While following topical and clinical treatments for open pores, maintaining a consistent, non-comedogenic skin regimen is crucial. Follow these tips to maintain and complement the results of your treatment for open pores:

• Cleanse Every Day:
  Ensure that regular cleansing is the cornerstone of your skin regimen. Use a mild, non-comedogenic gel-based cleanser twice daily to remove oil, dirt, and sweat. Make sure you begin layering products only after cleansing.
  
  We Recommend: DermoPurifyer Triple Effect Cleansing Gel + DermoPurifyer Toner - Face Toner for Oily Skin

• Exfoliate: Dead skin cells can build up on your skin over time to clog pores. Turn to chemical exfoliation a few times every week to remove any buildup and unclog open pores.

• Avoid Comedogens: Comedogens are ingredients that tend to clog your pores and cause acne. Look for non-comedogenic labels on skincare and makeup products to ensure they won’t block pores.

• Use Lightweight Sunscreens: Sun protection is crucial while following treatment for open pores. However, it’s best to dodge heavy, creamy, and oily sunscreens if you already have large pores and acne-prone skin. Use oil-free sunscreens to protect skin without clogging pores.
  
  We Recommend: Sun Face Oil Control Gel-Cream SPF50+

• Don’t Skip Moisturizers: Drying out your skin too much may trigger it to produce more sebum, enlarging your pores. This is why it is crucial to moisturize using the right, dermatologically tested, lightweight products.
  
  We Recommend: Anti-Pigment Day Care SPF30

• Use Antioxidants: Licorice root extract, vitamin C, and other skin actives can help you undo sun damage while boosting collagen production. They help you treat open pores by making your skin appear smoother and more even toned.

Now that you know how to reduce open pores on your face, it’s time to put the prep into practice. Discover the oily-skin friendly DermoPurifyer range by Eucerin, and only treat your skin with dermatologically tested and science-backed skincare.

1. What causes open or large pores on the face?

   Large pores, often called open pores, are caused by a number of factors, like excess sebum production, loss of skin elasticity with age, sun damage, and genetic factors.

2. Can pores actually shrink in size?

   No, pores cannot be permanently "shrunk." However, their appearance can be reduced and refined with skin care practices like exfoliation, sebum control, and collagen-boosting treatments like retinoids and microneedling.

3. What’s the best treatment for reducing open pores?

   The most effective treatments include topical retinoids, niacinamide, chemical peels, microneedling, and laser therapy. The right treatment depends on your skin type and the underlying cause of pore enlargement, which is why it is crucial to consult a dermatologist before beginning.

4. Are enlarged pores permanent?

   If your pore size is largely genetic, then it may be permanent. However, with consistent skincare and professional treatments, you can significantly reduce their visibility and improve overall skin texture.

• DermNet NZ – Enlarged Pores
• American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) – How to Treat Large Pores
• PubMed – Causes and Treatment of Enlarged Facial Pores: A Review
• PMC (Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology) – Large Facial Pores: An Update on Treatment Options
• Wiley Online Library (Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology) – An Update on Management of Enlarged Pores: A Systematic Review
• Healthline – Open Pores: Causes, Treatments, and Prevention
• ScienceDirect (Heliyon Journal) – Oily Skin: A Review of Contributing Factors, Mechanisms, and Management