Can You Minimise Your Pores? (And Everything Else You Need To Know About Them)

I hate to break it to you, but we all have pores. Our skin needs pores and while on social media, filters tend to minimise or even make pores completely disappear, there’s no real way to get rid of them.

What are pores?

Pores are tiny openings in the skin that house our natural oils, known as sebum, and they’re also connected to hair follicles. They are a normal part of our skin, and everyone’s pore size will differ.

What factors determine their size/visibility?

Genetics play a big role in determining pore size and visibility, as does how much oil your skin produces. An overproduction of oil, which then mixes with dirt/oil on the surface of the skin, can clog your pores and potentially make them appear larger – hence ensuring you’re using the right skincare is important.

Can you change your pore size?

It’s important to remember that pore size for many people is genetically determined. So, while we can help minimise their appearance in clinic, for some people, this will always be something they need to work on.

The ingredients and treatments I recommend as a Dermal Therapist

As a Dermal Therapist, I get asked about pore size. A lot. Why are they so big? How can I make them smaller? Or even how to make them go away? (Which is obviously physiologically impossible). The thing about our pores is that they’re here to stay, however, if you’re having issues with your pore size using the correct skincare products is key to help manage this concern.

Below are a few things you can tweak in your skincare routine:

1. Exfoliate regularly. Using a beta hydroxy acid (BHA) exfoliant like a salicylic acid is great in this instance, as it refines texture but also helps clear inside the pore.
2. Add a clay mask like The Removalist into your routine. Clay is great at reducing and absorbing excess oil, which = a deep cleanse and helps kick pore clogging impurities to the curb.
3. Adding a vitamin a into your routine is also beneficial for increasing cellular turnover.

It’s also important to note that removing your makeup properly is going to reduce clogged pores and breakouts. Avoid using harsh cleansers that will only strip your skin – honestly they’ll just make oily skin and pore size worse.

And if you think you’re doing all the right things and your pore size continues to bother you, I will always suggest booking in for a chat with a Dermal Therapist for professional guidance. In clinic, there are a whole range of treatments that can be performed for pore size. Chemical peels suited to your skin/concerns on the day are a great treatment to refine skin texture and minimise pore size. Microneedling is also a great treatment to do to keep pore size in check, as are lasers like Clear and Brilliant.

Is there a way to get rid of clogged pores?

Finally, if you have clogged pores do not squeeze at them. You will only make things worse. Use a gentle cleanser and apply a salicylic acid serum on areas where pores may be clogged. Also be sure to avoid any blackhead/pore vacuum suction machines or pore strips – this may feel like it’s doing something great but can increase inflammation and make things worse. It is a very temporary fix. Exfoliating with chemical exfoliants is better at treating the concerns long term and don’t forget about The Removalist! This is a great mask to help clear clogged pores, balance sebum production and minimise pore size. Promise it will help keep your skin in check.