How to Shrink Pores, According to a Dermatologist

It happens to the best of us: You stared too hard in the magnifying mirror, and now you’re obsessing over how to shrink pores. But before you go too far down the skin care rabbit hole, it’s important to remember that pores are a completely natural part of having skin.

In fact, according to board-certified dermatologist Hadley C. King, MD, there’s actually no such thing as “big” pores. “Pores are tiny openings in the skin,” says Dr. King. “They don’t have doors that open and close and they don’t have muscles that contract and relax to make them smaller and bigger. Pore size is largely genetically determined and there’s no way to truly change the size of your pores.”

Instead, it mostly comes down to the condition of your skin. “When debris, oil, and dead skin cells build up in the pores, this can make pores appear larger,” says Dr. King. “If a pore becomes clogged, that will temporarily stretch the pore and make it appear larger.

Another factor? Aging and sun damage. As we age, the skin around pores lose firmness, while sun damage can cause the loss of collagen and elastin. “The pore may appear larger because of the lack of the support from the surrounding tissue,” says Dr. King. “Therefore, topical ingredients that help to maintain collagen and elastin, such as retinoids, anti-aging peptides and sun protection, can help to minimize pore size.” This makes it even more important to apply daily SPF.

Now that we’ve established what pores are, here are a few ways you can diminish their appearance. Ahead, Dr. King shares her best methods for how to shrink pores.

Salicylic acid

Salicylic acid, regular exfoliation, and retinoids can all help remove sebum which can clog pores. Getting rid of this debris can make pores look smaller. “Salicylic acid is an excellent pore-clearing ingredient because it exfoliates the surface of the skin and penetrates into pores to remove oil,” Dr. King says. “This helps to prevent pores from becoming clogged and can help remove clogs that have already formed.

Dr. King recommends using Bioelements Pore Thing Daily Cleansing Gel, which contains “1.5% salicylic acid and azelaic acid to target pores, in a hydrating base with gentle surfactants.”

She’s also a fan of Bioelements Daily Meds, a serum with 2% salicylic acid as well as glycolic, lactic, and azelaic acids to gently exfoliate the skin and clear the pores. “It also contains niacinamide, which helps improve skin tone and texture, and thyme extract, which can decrease excess sebum,” she says.

Bioelements Pore Thing Daily Cleansing Gel

$48

Amazon

Bioelements Daily Meds

$64

Amazon

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Caudalie Vinopure Natural Salicylic Acid Pore Minimizing Toner

$30

Sephora

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First Aid Beauty FAB Pharma White Clay Acne Treatment Pads 2% Salicylic Acid

$30 $18 (40% off)

Amazon

Anti-aging and sun protection

Ingredients that help stimulate collagen production like retinoids and anti-aging peptides may help support the skin around pores, helping them appear smaller. And don’t forget to apply SPF daily, which will help protect the skin from harmful UV rays.

Courtesy of brand

CosRx The Retinol 0.5 Oil

$19

Amazon

$27

Ulta

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Original image by Glamour senior commerce editor Jenifer Calle
Original image by Glamour senior commerce editor Jenifer Calle

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CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum

$22 $19 (14% off)

Amazon

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La Roche Posay Anthelios UV Hydra Sunscreen (SPF 50)

$40

Amazon

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Supergoop Play Everyday Face Lotion (SPF) 50

$22

Ulta

Humectants

Humectants like hyaluronic acid and polyglutamic acid hydrate and plump the skin, which can help pores temporarily appear smaller.

“Pareva RH5.5 Hydrabond Primer contains light-reflecting pigments and powders to make the skin texture look flawless,” says Dr. King. “Lecithin and silica have a mattifying effect, while hyaluronic acid hydrates and plumps the skin.”