How Should You Manage Pores and Sebum During the Summer?

Skin Beyond Skin | Human Dermatology Clinic, Seoul National University Branch

When the weather gets hotter and it becomes the season when you sweat more, your face can easily become shiny, and your pores may appear more prominent. In particular, many people feel that oil quickly builds up over time or that the pores around their nose and cheeks look enlarged, even after cleansing carefully and applying makeup in the morning.

These changes are not simply caused by having oily skin. High temperatures and humidity, sweat, increased sebum production, UV exposure, and improper cleansing habits can all have an effect, causing the skin’s surface to become tired more easily and reducing elasticity around the pores. That is why it is helpful to take a little more care with pore and sebum management during the summer.

Does increased sweating also lead to more sebum?

In hot weather, you are likely to sweat more to regulate your body temperature, and your skin temperature may also rise. When the skin temperature is high, sebum production can become more active, making the face feel shiny and sticky. Areas with well-developed sebaceous glands, such as the forehead, nose, and chin, may appear especially oily during the summer.

If sweat and sebum are left on the skin for a long time, impurities can easily build up around the pores. If sunscreen or makeup residue is not removed properly, the pores may become clogged, potentially leading to blackheads, whiteheads, and acne. Therefore, during seasons when you sweat a lot, it is important not to remove sebum indiscriminately, but to manage it so that it can be cleanly expelled without accumulating.

Why do pores appear enlarged?

Because pores are channels through which sebum is released, they may temporarily appear more prominent as sebum production increases. In particular, when sebum oxidizes and looks like a blackhead, or when dead skin cells and impurities block the pore opening, the skin’s texture may feel rough and the pores may seem enlarged.

In addition, if the skin around the pores loses elasticity, the pores may appear elongated vertically. Summer UV exposure can weaken collagen, which contributes to skin elasticity, while repeated skin irritation or excessive extraction can also place stress on the tissue around the pores. Therefore, pore care should consider not only sebum control, but also skin texture, elasticity, and sun protection.

How should you manage pores and sebum during the summer?

First, it is best to cleanse thoroughly but not excessively. Using a strong cleanser several times a day because you have a lot of sweat and sebum can weaken the skin barrier and may actually worsen dehydration and sebum production. Use a cleanser suited to your skin type in the morning and evening, and on days when you wear sunscreen or makeup, cleanse gently so that no residue remains.

Also, if you skip moisturizing because your skin is oily, it may produce more sebum to compensate for dryness. Use a lightweight, hydrating moisturizer, and apply sunscreen consistently when going outdoors. If you are concerned about blackheads or sebum, be careful about squeezing them with your hands or using pore strips frequently, as these practices can cause skin irritation and pore enlargement.

During seasons when you sweat a lot, sebum production may increase and pores may appear more prominent, but simply removing sebum indiscriminately has its limitations. It is important to protect the skin barrier while preventing impurities from accumulating, and to continue caring for sun protection, hydration, and skin texture together.

In particular, if you are concerned about blackheads, whiteheads, recurring acne, or enlarged pores, it is a good idea to accurately assess your current skin condition through a consultation with a board-certified dermatologist. Depending on your skin type and pore condition, options such as sebum control, extraction care, skincare procedures, and laser treatments may be considered step by step. Managing your skin based on a dermatologist’s diagnosis and treatment plan may help you maintain a cleaner and more balanced skin condition even during the summer.