What Causes Enlarged Pores?

The Don’ts for Enlarged Pores

The Do’s for Enlarged Pores

If you have combination skin, you’re probably familiar with this issue: visible, "orange peel-like holes" or enlarged pores in the T-zone (forehead-nose-chin axis) or on the upper cheeks, next to your nose. Enlarged pores are an extremely frustrating problem, and they are quite persistent.

However, the good news is that with targeted formulations containing the right ingredients, the visibility of your pores can be significantly reduced. But what causes them? Is it only those with combination skin who are at risk? And what exactly can you do to combat them? Let’s explore these questions in this article!

Everyone has pores, which are a natural part of our skin's structure. They act like tubes or openings, allowing oil to travel freely from the sebaceous glands to the skin’s surface, where it spreads, helping to hydrate and protect the skin.

It’s also good to know that the walls of the pores are flexible, like a balloon. Naturally, they have a given size that is genetically determined, but this size can enlarge for several reasons, just like a balloon expands when inflated. But what causes the pores to expand? Generally, there are three main reasons:

The most common cause - typically occurring at a younger age - is when the sebaceous glands produce more oil than necessary (this is usually due to hormonal reasons). In this case, the pore size adjusts to accommodate the increased oil flow.

The situation worsens when the oil mixes with dead skin cells trapped in the pores, forming a plug (voilà, a blackhead), and the excess oil cannot flow freely to the surface. If the clogged pores remain for a long time, the pore walls may loosen and become more stretched, making it harder for them to return to their original size, even when the plug and excessive oil production stop.

Another common cause of enlarged pores, more prevalent in older age, is prolonged sun exposure and the natural aging of the skin. As the skin ages, and UV radiation accelerates this process, the amount of important proteins, such as collagen and elastin, decreases, which leads to loosening and sagging of the pore walls.

Don’t use skincare products that clog pores or stimulate the sebaceous glands to produce more oil! What does it mean? Avoid products that contain too many emollients or those that have a thick, creamy texture. If you have oily skin, these are likely to clog your pores. Instead, focus on lighter textures: use liquids or gels, which you can layer if your skin is dehydrated and needs plenty of hydration.

Don’t use drying or irritating skincare products! In other words, avoid alcohol-based toners and high pH soaps. While they may feel pleasant right after application, over time, they can do more harm than good. They dry out the surface of the skin while stimulating oil production.

So, skip those drying, irritating, or high-pH products, and avoid heavy textures. But what should you use instead? Don’t worry! By following our guide and choosing from our gentle, skin-loving products at AU Beauty Bazaar, you’ll be on the right path to visibly smaller, more refined pores in no time!

Also, keep away from heavily foaming, less gentle, and drying cleansers, as they can disturb the skin’s healthy function and stimulate oil production.

Perfect for oily and combination skin, the ROUND LAB 1025 Dokdo Cleansing Gel has a lightweight gel texture that purifies without stripping moisture. Enriched with Ulleungdo Deep Sea Water and 8 Hyaluronic Acids, it hydrates and refreshes the skin, while gentle plant-based surfactants provide an effective cleanse.

Daily sun protection is essential, regardless of pore size. UV radiation damages your skin’s collagen, which, over time, leads not only to wrinkles but also sagging skin and enlarged pores.

Shield your skin with Beauty of Joseon’s Relief Sun! This lightweight sunscreen offers daily UV protection while cooling and hydrating. Infused with rice extract and probiotics to strengthen your skin’s natural barrier, it melts effortlessly into the skin like a gel, leaving no white cast.

As mentioned earlier, avoid thick, creamy textures as they can easily clog your pores. It’s much more effective for you to follow a layering approach: best practice would be to use a hydrating toner, a hydrating serum, and a lightweight, gel-based moisturizer.

Boost your hydration routine with Medicube’s Collagen Jelly Cream! Formulated with 98% hydrolyzed collagen, this gel cream improves skin elasticity and radiance while deeply moisturizing with hyaluronic acids. Its jelly-like texture absorbs quickly, making it ideal for layering without clogging pores.

It can be a formula with just BHA or even one combining BHA and mandelic acid. Why is BHA exfoliator good for you? Because it not only removes dead skin cells from the surface of the skin but, being oil-soluble, it also exfoliates the pores from the inside, preventing blockages.

Medicube’s Zero Pore One Day Serum is an excellent choice for those seeking to refine skin texture and minimize enlarged pores. This powerful formula combines AHA, BHA, and PHA in a 15.2% concentration to exfoliate both the surface and inside of your pores, preventing blockages and promoting a smoother complexion. It also helps balance moisture and oil levels, leaving skin hydrated, clear, and glowing.

Niacinamide (or vitamin B3) is one of the most proven ingredients for normalizing pore size. It helps tighten the walls of the pores from the inside, which plays a significant role in returning them to their normal size and shape. Even a good niacinamide toner can improve the situation, or you can use a targeted, high-concentration niacinamide serum!

Anua’s Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Serum is ideal for refining pores and improving skin texture. The 10% niacinamide helps tighten the pore walls, reducing their appearance and promoting a smoother complexion. With 4% tranexamic acid and 2% arbutin, it also targets stubborn dark spots and evens out skin tone.

Clay, mud, or charcoal masks are great for this purpose because they can absorb oil not only from the surface of the skin but also from within the pores, helping in your battle against clogged (and therefore enlarged) pores.

Anua Heartleaf Pore Clay Pack is the perfect solution for absorbing excess oil and clearing clogged pores. This creamy clay mask combines bentonite and kaolin clay to draw out oil from both the surface and deep within the pores, helping to reduce their appearance. Infused with heartleaf extract and quercetin, it calms irritated skin while fighting inflammation and strengthening the skin barrier.

Managing enlarged pores is all about understanding the causes and using the right approach. By including targeted ingredients into your routine, you can significantly improve their appearance. Consistency is key, and while results may take time, the effort will pay off. At our AU Beauty Bazaar, you’ll find everything you need to successfully combat those annoying enlarged pores — from pore-clearing cleansers to targeted treatments. So, be patient with your skin, stick to a routine, and soon you'll notice smoother, clearer skin with less visible pores.