Obsessing over how to shrink pores after staring in your magnifying mirror for too long? You’re certainly not alone. But before you go too far down the skin care rabbit hole, it’s important to remember that pores are a completely natural—and necessary!—part of your complexion.
In fact, according to board-certified dermatologist Hadley C. King, MD, there’s actually no such thing as “big” pores. “Pores are tiny openings in the skin,” says Dr. King. “They don’t have doors that open and close, and they don’t have muscles that contract and relax to make them smaller and bigger. Pore size is largely genetically determined, and there’s no way to truly change the size of your pores.”
There are, however, certain external factors that might be making your pores more noticeable. Ahead, skin experts break down the reasons behind some common pore complaints. Plus, their best methods for how to “shrink” pores.
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What’s making my pores look larger?
“When debris, oil, and dead skin cells build up in the pores, this can make pores appear larger,” says Dr. King. “If a pore becomes clogged, that will temporarily stretch the pore and make it appear larger.”
Aging and sun damage come into play. As we age, the skin around pores lose firmness, while sun damage can cause the loss of collagen and elastin. “The pore may appear larger because of the lack of support from the surrounding tissue,” says Dr. King. “Therefore, topical ingredients that help to maintain collagen and elastin, such as retinoids, antiaging peptides, and sun protection, can help to minimize pore size.” This makes it even more important to apply daily SPF.
How to shrink pores, according to dermatologists
1. Use salicylic acid.
Salicylic acid, regular exfoliation, and retinoids can all help remove sebum, which can clog pores. Getting rid of this debris can make pores look smaller. “Salicylic acid is an excellent pore-clearing ingredient because it exfoliates the surface of the skin and penetrates into pores to remove oil,” Dr. King says. “This helps to prevent pores from becoming clogged and can help remove clogs that have already formed.”
Dr. King recommends using Bioelements Pore Thing Daily Cleansing Gel, which contains “1.5% salicylic acid and azelaic acid to target pores, in a hydrating base with gentle surfactants.”
She’s also a fan of Bioelements Daily Meds, a serum with 2% salicylic acid as well as glycolic, lactic, and azelaic acids to gently exfoliate the skin and clear the pores. “It also contains niacinamide, which helps improve skin tone and texture, and thyme extract, which can decrease excess sebum,” she says.