Pores Cannot Open or Close: Busting the AGE-OLD Skincare Myth

There is a widespread belief and general acceptance that pores can open and close in response to a product or change in temperature. Pores are the openings in your skin responsible for oil production, temperature regulation, hair growth and regulation of toxins. They can appear larger or smaller depending on your genetics, skin type and product usage. While the appearance of pores can be improved with the proper skincare regimen they cannot change size.

Pores do not have a muscle surrounding them that would allow them to expand or contract. If the skin is warmed the pores are not expanding. Spa professionals apply steam during a facial to assist with cleansing, exfoliating and creating a sensorial experience. It's physiologically impossible for the pores to open during this process.

When pores get clogged they become more visible with a buildup of oil and sticky skin cells while the surrounding skin gets inflamed. The only instance where pores technically enlarge is a dilated pore of winter which is essentially a large blackhead that persists by continuously getting clogged. It will stretch and enlarge over the years without treatment and can be considered a benign tumor.

What’s all the talk about shrinking your pores then?

While pore size is mostly genetic and based on oil production, you can find products that can make them appear smaller. Exfoliation, retinol and anti-aging products in general can improve the appearance of pores. The skin is naturally bumpy, with hills and valleys that contribute to texture. Revealing new skin cells with exfoliation evens out the landscape of our skin which ultimately makes pores less prominent. Despite the improvement you can see, your pores are never actually changing size!

Regular exfoliation is one of simplest ways to take care of the overall health of your skin while “reducing pore size”. Using a gentle scrub or enzyme mask twice a week will effortlessly clear dead skin and even out common inconsistencies. A product with clarifying ingredients like salicylic acid and witch hazel are a plus. Long term use yields the best results.

A retinol cream over the course of a few months will assist in building collagen, evening out skin tone and controlling sebum production to make pores appear smaller. Other anti-aging products such as vitamin c may help but expect marginal improvements.

Pore size is largely determined by genetics and their viability is completely normal. If you deal with excess oil, congestion or larger pores in general, a few small changes to your skincare regime will make a big difference over time. Consult with a skincare professional to find the right products for your skin