This Is Why Your Pores Are So Big (And What You Can Do About It) (2024)

While the “Bold Glamour” filter on TikTok might suggest otherwise, pore-free skin isn’t a reality. And that’s a good thing—the tiny openings in your skin allow sweat and oil to escape, per Rachel Nazarian, MD, of Schweiger Dermatology Group in New York City.

Meet Our Experts: Rachel Nazarian, MD, FAAD, board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group in New York City, Joyce Park, MD, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Skin Refinery, Hadley King, MD, board-certified dermatologist and clinical instructor of dermatology at the Weill Medical College of Cornell University

That said, your pores can become stretched out—and by extension more visible—due to a variety of factors. “Pore size is a combination of genetics, rate of skin cell turnover, and environmental exposure,” says Joyce Park, MD, founder of Skin Refinery, and the board-certified dermatologist behind @teawithmd.

With all that in mind, it may be helpful to add “pore minimizers” to your skincare routine if you wish your pores were less apparent. “Pores can appear larger when they become clogged with sebum or dead skin, so when using products that help to prevent them from becoming clogged, it can help to reduce the appearance and size,” says Marisa Garshick, MD, a dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology in New York City. Look to ingredients like salicylic acid, retinoids, glycolic acid, clay, or charcoal, she suggests.

You may not think of it as a pore minimizer per se, but sunscreen is also key, since UV exposure can lead to a breakdown of collagen and elastin, proteins that give your skin its structure. “As the skin around a pore loses its firmness with age and sun damage due to loss of collagen and elastin, the pore may appear larger because of the lack of the support from the surrounding tissue,” says dermatologist Hadley King, MD. Select ingredients, including retinoids and peptides, can help address collagen and elastin loss that inevitably occurs by stimulating your skin’s production of the proteins, she adds.

If your goal is to add the most effective pore minimizer to your skincare routine, these are the products that deserve your attention, according to dermatologists.

Dr. Park counts herself as one of this viral hit’s many fans. It contains salicylic acid to unclog pores, but it’s gentle enough for everyday use.

“This oil-free cleanser helps unclog pores and can be especially helpful for those dealing with blackheads and whiteheads,” says Dr. Garshick. That’s thanks to a pore-clearing combo of salicylic acid and tea tree extract.

Each of these individually-packaged pads is spiked with salicylic, lactic, and glycolic acids, plus a proprietary retinoid. “[The peel pads are] easy to use and are a great option for those looking for an exfoliant to help brighten the skin while also improving pores,” says Dr. Garshick. “The lactic and glycolic acid help to lighten discoloration while salicylic acid helps to unclog pores and the AlphaRet retinoid helps to boost collagen, making it a great all-in-option that can be used one to two times per week.”

This toner comes at the recommendations of both Dr. Garshick and Dr. King. “It's interesting because unlike most exfoliating toners, it's acid-free, depending instead on extracts from prickly pear and red clover flowers, and the biomimetic peptide royal epigen P5, which supports skin cell turnover,” says Dr. King. “It also contains glycerin and sodium hyaluronate to hydrate, shea butter to support the skin barrier, and niacinamide to improve tone and texture—very nice formulation.”

You can apply a few drops of this salicylic and glycolic acid serum to your skin before bed to prevent breakouts and enlarged pores. It’s meant for all skin types, including sensitive skin.

You’ll find a slew of pore-clearing acids within this serum: salicylic, azelaic, mandelic, and succinic. “Additionally strawberry has natural exfoliating and antioxidant properties, so together these ingredients help to improve skin texture and tone, while also addressing pores,” notes Dr. Garshick.

This serum “incorporates salicylic acid to help with oil and breakouts as well as dioic acid, glycolic acid, LHA and citric acid to help exfoliate and helps to address breakouts and signs of aging while also reducing the appearance of pores,” says Dr. Garshick. Not only does it offer up multiple benefits, but as with other serums, a little goes a long way.

Adapalene, which was once only available by prescription, is tough on acne but gentler than prescription retinoids, says Dr. Garshick. This daily treatment is fragrance free, so it won’t cause issues if you’re sensitive to fragrance, she notes.

You’ll notice your pores appear under this face mask when you leave it on. The formula incorporates clay and caffeine to cleanse and tighten pores.

Dr. Garshick likes that this cleanser contains 2% salicylic acid to fight breakouts as well as oil-absorbing hectorite clay to reduce clogged pores. Since it contains niacinamide and ceramides, it won’t leave your skin feeling dry or irritated, she says.

Recall that retinol can be helpful in pore minimizers since the ingredient not only has the power to unclog pores, but also promote collagen production. This serum, which comes at the recommendation of Dr. Nazarian, combines the ingredient with vitamin C, an antioxidant that can combat the effects of UV damage.

A favorite among dermatologists and beauty editors alike, this night cream is made for people who want to use a retinoid but are concerned about irritating their skin. You’ll find calming ingredients like green tea extract in the face cream’s ingredient list.

Pore strips can act as a temporary pore minimizer, according to Dr. Garshick. She likes that these strips contain retinol, adding pore-minimizing benefits that go beyond the average pore strip.

If you love the ease of makeup wipes, you’ll appreciate these salicylic acid toner pads. For an effortless exfoliation, you can swipe one of the pads over your face after cleansing—no need to rinse.

This cleanser is designed to enhance the results of in-office chemical peels, which can address discoloration. Glycolic acid exfoliates skin while glycerin hydrates.