Let’s be honest—large pores are a bummer.
You cleanse, exfoliate, moisturize, maybe even filter—and yet, those pesky little spots on your nose or cheeks just won’t go away.
If that’s your skin story, I promise you’re not the only one. As a dermatologist, the most common query I hear is:
“Doc, can you shrink my pores forever?”
The short answer is: you can’t get rid of them, but you can smooth them out. Let’s go through how.
So, First—What Are Pores?
Think of pores as teeny-tiny breathing holes for your skin. They produce oil (sebum) and sweat, and they help with healthy skin.
But here’s the catch:
When pores are clogged, stretched, or filled with dead skin and oil, they appear larger and more noticeable, especially on the nose, cheeks, forehead, and chin.
You’re also likely to have large-looking pores if:
- You have oily skin
- You’ve had blackheads or acne
- You’ve had repeated exposure to the sun
It’s in your family genetics
Why Do Pores Get Bigger?
There isn’t just one reason, but quite a few usual suspects are:
- Overproduction of oil
- Loss of skin elasticity with aging (collagen degradation!)
- Dead skin build-up and clogged pores
- Harsh or improper skincare regimens
- UV damage
Although you cannot eliminate pores, you can make them appear smaller, tighter, and smoother with proper care.
What I Tell My Patients to Do at Home
Here’s where to begin to give your pores the TLC (and discipline) they deserve:
1. Be Gentle when Cleansing
Don’t over-wash or scrub your face bare. Harsh cleansers dry out the skin and cause more oil production.
💧 Use a mild, pH-balanced cleanser twice daily.
2. Exfoliate… But Don’t Attack
Exfoliating gets rid of buildup within pores. Avoid the harsh scrubs and use:
- Salicylic acid – for oily/acne skin
- Glycolic or lactic acid – for dry/dull skin
🗓 Begin with 1–2 times a week and moisturize afterwards.
3. Use Non-Comedogenic Products
These are face and makeup products that will not clog your pores. Check the label every time!
4. Introduce a Retinoid into Your Routine
Retinoids (vitamin A derivatives) increase cell turnover and cut oil.
✨ Apply at nighttime and always follow up the next day with sunscreen.
5. Don’t Let the Sun Win
UV rays cause collagen to collapse, making pores appear larger.
🧴 Apply a broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen daily, even when indoors.
What We Can Do for You in the Clinic
When skincare isn’t quite enough, we provide gentle, dermatologist-approved treatments at The Glam Skin Clinic to target large pores, improve skin texture, and enhance glow:
✅ Chemical Peels
Deep cleanse pores, regulate oil, and enhance texture and pigmentation.
✅ HydraFacials
Hydrate, cleanse, and deeply clean plugged pores—leaves your skin radiant.
✅ Q-Switch Laser
Enhances tone, stimulates collagen, and contracts the skin around pores.
✅ Microneedling with PRP (a.k.a. Vampire Facial)
Collagen stimulates and smooths skin for visibly decreased pore size.
✅ Carbon Laser Facial
The “Hollywood Facial” that exfoliates, brightens, and reduces the look of pores.
✅ Radiofrequency (RF) Skin Tightening
Warmly stimulates collagen with gentle heat—excellent for loose, aged skin.
✅ Morpheus 8
A powerful microneedling + radiofrequency treatment that remodels deep skin layers. It helps tighten pores, improve texture, and enhance overall skin firmness—perfect for visible, aging pores.
✅ Skin Boosters
Injectable treatments rich in hyaluronic acid that deeply hydrate and plump the skin, making pores appear smoother and skin more luminous.
✅ PDRN Therapy
This regenerative treatment uses polynucleotides to heal damaged skin, stimulate collagen, and refine skin texture, especially effective for pores caused by acne or sun damage.
Daily Tips That Work
- Always take off your makeup at night
- Apply a clay mask weekly
- Drink plenty of water
- Don’t squeeze or pick
- Be patient—no product provides overnight results
Ingredients That Do the Trick for Pores
Find these in your products:
- Niacinamide – reduces oil and calms redness
- Zinc – controls shine
- Vitamin C – increases collagen and smoothes out texture
- AHAs – chemical exfoliants
Retinol – long-term pore tightening
As a Dermatologist, My Honest Opinion
Let’s face it—nobody has airbrushed skin in real life. Pores are a fact of life.
But if they’re getting you down, know this:
There are gentle, effective, and science-backed solutions to enhance their look. You don’t need filters—you need a good routine.
And if you’re ever unsure, I’m always here to help.