Your pores are a natural and essential part of healthy skin function. They release sweat and protective oils, helping to support barrier integrity and hydration, as well as the skin’s ability to regulate itself.
Because we don’t want these oils getting clogged or trapped beneath the skin’s surface, you can’t ever get rid of your pores or permanently close them. You can, however, manage the factors that make them look larger and more noticeable.
In this guide, we’ll explore the common causes of enlarged pores and outline evidence-informed ways to manage their appearance. From at-home actives that support skin refinement to professional treatments, there are options suited to all different skin types and goals.
Important note: Skin treatments and skincare approaches involve individual considerations, including possible side effects or downtime. A consultation with a qualified dermal clinician is the best way to understand what’s suitable for your skin.
What causes enlarged pores?
Pore size is largely influenced by genetics, but several internal and external factors can affect how noticeable they appear over time.
Each of your pores is connected to a hair follicle and a sebaceous gland that produces sebum. When excess oil, dead skin cells, or debris build up around the pore opening, the surrounding tissue can become congested and stretched. This is what makes pores appear larger and more defined.
Common factors that can contribute to enlarged-looking pores include:
- Genetics: Some people naturally have larger or more visible pores due to inherited skin structure.
- Excess oil production: Increased sebum can lead to congestion, which may stretch the pore opening.
- Dead skin cell build-up: Without regular exfoliation, dead skin cells can collect around pores and exaggerate their appearance.
- Sun exposure: UV damage can weaken collagen and elastin, reducing structural support around the pore.
- Age-related skin changes: As collagen production naturally declines over time, pores may appear more prominent.
Identifying what’s influencing pore visibility makes it easier to choose the skincare and treatment options that meet your skin’s unique needs.
Professional treatment options for enlarged pores
Professional skin treatments are one of several ways to manage the appearance of enlarged pores. Rather than just focusing on the pores themselves, these treatments tend to address the underlying skin processes that influence how they look.
This can include supporting skin repair, reducing congestion, improving overall texture, or addressing loss of structural support within the skin. When these broader factors are addressed, pores often appear smoother or more refined.
Microneedling
Microneedling treatments for enlarged pores involve creating controlled micro-channels in the skin, which activate the skin’s natural repair response and encourage collagen production. As the skin responds to this process, texture and surface quality may improve over time, contributing to a smoother and more even-looking appearance.
Different microneedling technologies may be selected depending on skin type, sensitivity, and treatment goals.
- SkinPen®: A mechanical microneedling device often used to support overall skin texture and quality.
- Vivace® RF: Combines mechanical microneedling with radiofrequency energy to support collagen stimulation at deeper levels of the skin.
Laser treatments
Unlike microneedling, laser and light-based technologies work by delivering controlled energy to targeted layers of the skin. Depending on the device, this energy may heat targeted tissue, stimulate collagen activity, or address vascular factors such as redness and inflammation.
Different laser and light-based treatments are designed to address different contributors to enlarged-looking pores.
- Clear + Brilliant™: A fractional laser designed to work at the surface level of the skin to gradually refine and maintain skin quality.
- Fraxel®: A more intensive resurfacing laser that targets deeper layers of the skin to support collagen remodelling and structural renewal.
- Picoway®: Uses ultra-short pulses of energy to support skin rejuvenation with minimal heat diffusion.
- Vbeam®: Primarily targets vascular concerns such as redness and inflammation.
- LED light therapy: A light-based treatment that supports skin balance and recovery.
Chemical peels
Chemical peels are often used to manage the appearance of enlarged pores when surface congestion, dead skin build-up, or uneven skin texture are contributing factors.
They work by applying a carefully selected exfoliating solution that loosens and removes dead skin cells from the skin’s surface. By clearing build-up around pore openings and smoothing the skin surface, chemical peels can help pores appear clearer and less defined.
- Superficial peels: Mild exfoliating peels designed to support surface clarity and smoother skin texture.
- TCA peels: Medium-depth peels that work more deeply within the skin to support texture refinement and skin renewal.
Because skin varies so much from person to person, professional treatments and skincare are planned thoughtfully over time, taking into account individual skin characteristics, treatment spacing, and how the skin responds along the way.
Skincare products that support pore refinement
Lots of “pore-minimising” products claim to shrink pores. While we know we can’t physically reduce pore size, some active skincare ingredients can influence their appearance by helping manage surface congestion and oil control.
Skincare works gradually and supports the skin’s day-to-day balance, particularly between professional treatments or as part of longer-term skin maintenance.
Cleansers
Cleansers work to remove excess oil and surface build-up that can collect around pore openings. When this build-up accumulates, pores can appear more congested and defined. Gentle formulations help maintain surface clarity without disrupting the skin’s protective barrier.
Glycolic acid (AHA)
Glycolic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) commonly used to support surface exfoliation by loosening dead skin cells at the outermost layers of the skin. By improving how these cells shed, glycolic acid helps reduce surface build-up around pore openings.
Salicylic acid (BHA)
Salicylic acid is an oil-soluble exfoliant that works within the pore lining to help loosen oil and debris. By keeping pore openings clearer, it reduces surface congestion and supports a smoother-looking skin texture.
You can learn more about AHAs, BHAs, and retinoids in our dedicated guide.
See: Biretix Mask
Niacinamide
Niacinamide (vitamin B3) is commonly used in skincare to support oil regulation and help strengthen the skin’s barrier. When oil levels are more balanced and the barrier is functioning well, surface congestion may be reduced.
See: Synergie Vitamin B
Retinoids
Retinoids support skin cell turnover and help regulate how dead skin cells shed at the surface. By reducing surface build-up over time, they support smoother texture and overall skin quality. Retinoid products are available in different formulations and strengths, which influence how gradually they interact with the skin.
Sunscreen
Sun exposure can contribute to gradual changes in skin structure that affect texture and clarity. Sun protection products are designed to support overall skin health by helping protect against UV-related damage.
Managing lifestyle and environmental factors
Skin behaviour is influenced by more than skincare alone. Environmental exposure and daily habits can affect oil production, congestion, and overall skin balance, which may, in turn, influence how pores appear.
This can include factors such as sleep patterns, stress levels, exposure to environmental pollutants, and frequent contact with everyday surfaces like phones
Because these factors vary between individuals and change over time, they’re best viewed as part of the broader context in which the skin operates, rather than something to “correct” with a single product or routine.
Considering your options for enlarged pores
The way enlarged pores appear can vary depending on factors such as skin type, texture, oil balance, and overall skin health. Because these factors differ from person to person, understanding your skin’s individual characteristics is an important part of exploring which approaches may be suitable.
At Victorian Dermal Group, our dermal clinicians take a considered, evidence-informed approach to skin assessment. During a consultation, we focus on understanding your skin’s history and current presentation before discussing professional treatments and skincare options that may be appropriate for you.
Your frequently asked questions about enlarged pores
Is a chemical peel or microneedling better for large pores?
Chemical peels and microneedling are different types of treatments that address factors influencing how pores appear. Microneedling focuses on supporting the skin’s repair processes and structural support, while chemical peels work primarily at the skin’s surface to improve texture and reduce build-up.
Which option may be suitable depends on individual skin characteristics, goals, and how the skin responds to different approaches. A consultation with a qualified dermal clinician can help determine which options may be appropriate for your skin.
Why did my pores get bigger all of a sudden?
A change in how pores appear can be influenced by factors such as surface congestion, excess oil, product build-up, sun exposure, or hormonal changes. In some cases, gradual changes in skin structure or texture may simply become more noticeable over time.
Because multiple factors can contribute, changes in pore appearance are best understood in the context of overall skin health rather than a single cause.
Can pores be permanently closed?
You can’t actually close pores permanently – and you wouldn’t want to! Pores are essential for your skin to release oil and regulate temperature. However, you can manage how they appear. Think “refining” rather than “closing” for healthy, smooth-looking skin that still functions properly.
