Large Pores
Large Pores
Our POREfessionals Debunk 6 Pore Minimizing Myths
Jared Bailey, Benefit Global Brow and Beauty Authority and Licensed Esthetician
Large Pores
By Jared Bailey, Benefit Global Brow and Beauty Authority and Licensed Esthetician
Feb 1, 2023
Just like skin types aren’t a one-size-fits-all thing, your pores are as unique as you are! They come in all different types and sizes, large, small, clogged, clear—the list goes on and on. And no matter what type of pore you have, you’re probably seeing a LOT of info out there (more myth than fact) about how to “get rid of your pores.”
In reality, you can’t get rid of your pores and honestly, you don’t want to—they’re there for a reason. But you CAN make them LOOK smaller. So, if you’re feeling like large pores are a large problem, trust us on this: they’re not!
There are a handful of reasons why you might be experiencing enlarged pores. Aside from genetics, pores can become more visible when our skin experiences:
It’s SUPER common to notice larger pores on your nose because the T-Zone (aka forehead, nose, and chin) typically produces more oil. Makeup, sweat, and dirt are the biggest culprits when it comes to clogged pores which can result in the appearance of large pores. Because we may have larger pores on our noses than any other part of our face it’s wildly important to wash our faces completely before we go to bed to make sure our pores are clean.
“Large” pores can look different for everyone. Everyone has pores and everyone’s skin is unique—that’s the beauty of it all, right? What looks like a large pore to one person may not look like one to another. But pores of all sizes need to be treated right to look their best.
The Internet does a lot of amazing things, but if we’re not careful, it can throw content our way that’s not necessarily true. I’m here to walk you through some of the most common myths I’ve seen floating around out there (and try to hit you with some actual truths to set the record straight).
Myth #1: You Can Open and Close Your Pores
The truth? Well, not EXACTLY. Pores do dilate and stretch, but that doesn’t really translate to “opening and closing” like a window. You’ve probably heard that treatments like steaming and high temperatures open up your pores or “unclog” them, but that’s not really the case. What those treatments CAN do is soften the skin and make it easier to remove the buildup in your skin and let the gunk in your pores slide out.
Myth #2: You Can Actually Shrink Your Pores
False! You can’t make your pores smaller, no matter what you’ve heard (or how hard you try to manifest it). When it comes to minimizing large pores, let’s focus on making pores LOOK smaller with a consistent pore-cleaning routine (and of course, using a primer that visibly minimizes pores works too).
MYTH #3: You Can Get Rid of Pores Completely
Respectfully? Nah. You can’t get rid of your pores and honestly, you don’t want to! Pores help us sweat, cool us off, and keep our skin looking healthy. They produce a moisturizing oil called sebum that keeps our skin soft and supple. They’re critical to helping our bodies function! Pores aren’t going anywhere—and that’s a good thing.
How to Visibly Minimize Large Pores
Looking for the ultimate solution for large pores? Ta-da! You have arrived. Now that we’ve set the record straight when it comes to your pores, let’s get into what we CAN do to minimize the appearance of larger pores with some tips and techniques from our experts.
Use a Gentle Pore Cleanser & A Kick-A** Toner
It’s hard to stick to a routine, I totally get it. But the biggest reason most of us can’t stick to one is simple—we’re trying to do too much all at once. Get real with yourself and think about the number of steps you know you can do once or twice a day. Creating a solid foundation for your pore care routine should include:
A simple 3-step routine like this will help clean pores, make pores look smaller, visibly improve skin texture, and can be done in just a few minutes (you’ve got this).
*Images have been sourced from a clinical trial of The POREfessional Tight ’n Toned. Results may vary.
Find a Non-Comedogenic Pore Primer
So, if you didn’t know already, we owe our pore obsession to our OG pore primer, The POREfessional. She got us thinking about how we could do even more for our pores, so we developed an entire primer line to fit the needs of all their different skin types. And our primers are all non-comedogenic, which means they shouldn’t clog pores. Plus, our primers help makeup stay put, apply evenly to your face, make skin look smoother-than-smooth, AND visibly minimize pores.
The moral of the story? There’s nothing wrong with enlarged pores, but there are steps you can take to make your pores look smaller and your skin look smoother. As always, when you do more for your pores, you see more from your skin.
Sources
“Large” pores are the ones you can see without a microscope. They can look like small dots on the skin of your face and can be caused by oil production in the pores, a loss of firmness in the skin due to aging, or clogged pores.
They can! As we age, our skin loses its firmness which leads to the appearance of larger pores. But with a consistent routine that cares for pores, you can help keep your pores healthy-looking for all the beautiful years to come.
There are several possible causes for large pores on face, including clogged pores, a loss of firmness in the skin due to aging, or excess oil.
The sebaceous glands on your nose are actually larger than the glands anywhere else on your face. Bigger glands often mean higher oil production which can lead to larger-looking pores on your nose.
To treat large pores, treat yourself to some pore-loving practices! Sticking to a consistent Pore Care routine can minimize the appearance of pores and encourage healthy-looking pores.