Why Don’t Pores Get Smaller?

Human Dermatology Clinic, Seoul National University Branch

Why do pores stay the same no matter how much you care for them?

Many people feel that even with consistent skin care, their pores do not easily get smaller. They try changing cosmetics, using masks, or getting treatments, but the results are often less noticeable than expected, which can be frustrating. It becomes even more concerning when makeup looks cakey or the skin texture appears rough.

However, it is important to first understand that pores are not a structure that simply “disappears” through care alone. To expect more effective improvement, you need to accurately understand the causes of enlarged pores and approach them accordingly.

Why do pores enlarge?

The biggest reasons pores enlarge are increased sebum production and reduced skin elasticity. When more sebum is produced, pores become stretched, and as waste accumulates, they can appear even more prominent. If skin elasticity declines as well, pores cannot tighten again and gradually change into a wider shape.

Is it because the skin is dirty?

In addition, ultraviolet rays, aging, and poor lifestyle habits can also contribute to enlarged pores. It is often not simply a matter of “cleanliness,” but rather changes in the skin’s structure itself.

If you use pore-minimizing cosmetics, won’t they shrink?

Cosmetics can help smooth the skin’s surface and make pores look less noticeable temporarily. However, there are limits to how much they can fundamentally reduce already enlarged pore structure.

In particular, because pores are also related to the elasticity of the dermis, products applied to the surface alone have difficulty creating changes in deeper layers. That is why many people do not feel the level of effect they expected.

Why do they seem to get even larger when you care for them so diligently?

Sometimes, excessive care can actually make pores larger. Frequent exfoliation, harsh cleansing, and using irritating products can damage the skin barrier and increase sebum production.

In addition, repeated extraction or the habit of touching the face often with your hands can also contribute to enlarged pores. For pore care, doing it “a lot” is less important than doing it “appropriately.”

How should pore improvement be approached?

To improve pores, you need an approach tailored to the cause. Effective improvement can be expected only when sebum control, improved skin elasticity, and recovery of the tissue around the pores are addressed together.

Depending on the case, combining laser treatment, skin boosters, and skin regeneration treatments can lead to more fundamental improvement. Above all, the most important thing is customized treatment and consistent care suited to your current skin condition. It is good to remember that pores do not disappear all at once; they improve gradually.

It is better to get an accurate diagnosis first rather than manage pores on your own.

Pores may seem like a simple skin concern, but in reality, they are a problem influenced by multiple factors such as sebum, elasticity, and skin structure. Therefore, if you keep repeating care without accurately understanding your individual skin condition, it may be difficult to see the results you expected.

Getting an accurate diagnosis of your current skin condition from a dermatologist and combining that with appropriate treatment and care can lead to more effective improvement. Pores can show the most satisfying changes when approached in the right way.

Human Dermatology Clinic, Seoul National University Branch

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