Enlarged pores: how to make them less noticeable

Pores do not close or disappear: they are the exit point for the sebum that protects your skin. They look large when they are full of oil and dead cells, or when the skin around them loses firmness. With gentle cleansing, hydration, and daily sunscreen, they can look refined, especially on the nose and cheeks.

What are dilated pores and how to recognize them?

A pore is the opening of a follicle, the small canal where hair grows and the sebaceous gland empties. When sebum mixes with the cells that the skin renews, it forms a plug that widens the opening. If that plug oxidizes upon contact with the air, it darkens: that is a blackhead, not dirt. Common signs:

  • Pores visible to the naked eye, especially in the T-zone.
  • Blackheads on the nose and chin.
  • Uneven texture that is accentuated by makeup.
  • Shine a few hours after washing your face.

Why are pores noticeable?

General causes

  • Excess sebum: oily and combination skin types tend to have more visible pores.
  • Clogged pores: when they get obstructed, they widen and become more noticeable.
  • Loss of firmness: with age and sun damage, the collagen that supports the pore edge weakens, and the opening looks larger.
  • Genetics.

Lifestyle and climate in Colombia

  • Humid heat: on the coast, you sweat more and your skin gets shiny sooner. Wash your face after sweating.
  • Sun: cumulative sun damage strips the skin of its firmness. Due to the altitude, in Bogotá, the midday sun often reaches "very high" or "extreme" on the UV index, even on cool days.
  • Makeup not removed before sleeping and squeezing blackheads with your fingernails.

Among those who have taken our online diagnostic, one in three people says they have skin with imperfections, and visible pores usually come with them.

Your routine to refine pores, step-by-step

Morning

  1. Cleanse with a purifying gel, massaging with your fingertips.
  2. Mattifying toner with a cotton pad.
  3. Lightweight moisturizer that mattifies.
  4. Sunscreen with an anti-shine finish.

Evening

  1. Remove all makeup and sunscreen, and cleanse.
  2. Toner and then a serum for imperfections.
  3. Cream.

Once or twice a week

Deep-cleansing mask to thoroughly clean the pores. Exfoliate gently: rubbing hard causes irritation, and irritated skin does not have smaller pores.

Products we recommend

When to consult a dermatologist

Make an appointment if the pores are accompanied by inflamed, painful, or scarring breakouts, if products for imperfections irritate you, or if you want to learn about in-office procedures to improve skin texture or firmness.

Frequently asked questions

Can pores be closed?

No. They have no muscle to open or close them, and they are part of the skin. What you can achieve is for them to look finer if you keep them clean and keep the skin hydrated and protected.

Does cold water close pores?

It refreshes and gives a feeling of firmer skin, but the effect lasts only minutes. What counts is your daily routine.

Can I remove blackheads with my fingernails?

Better not: it irritates, can cause infection, and leave marks. A deep-cleansing mask is a kinder alternative.

Why do pores become more noticeable with age?

Because the skin loses firmness around the pore. Protecting yourself from the sun every day helps preserve it.

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