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Understanding Your Skin

Pores

Ever wondered why you can see tiny dots or openings on your skin? Those are pores—and they're completely normal. Pores are essential openings connected to your hair follicles and oil glands, helping your skin release sebum and maintain its natural balance.

Learn what pores are, what they do, why they become more noticeable, and how to care for them.

Completely normal
Help release sebum
Part of healthy skin
Illustration representing healthy skin pores
Understanding Pores

What Are Pores?

Pores are tiny openings on the surface of your skin that connect to hair follicles. Most pores are also connected to sebaceous glands, which produce sebum.

Illustration showing a pore connected to a hair follicle and sebaceous gland
A normal part of healthy skin
The Basics

Understanding Your Skin's Natural Openings

Pores are tiny openings on the surface of your skin that connect to hair follicles.

Most pores are connected to a sebaceous gland, which produces sebum (oil). Sebum travels through the follicle and reaches the skin's surface.

Pores are a normal and necessary part of healthy skin. Everyone has them—even when they're not easily visible.

Tiny openings

Pores are openings on the skin's surface.

Connected to oil glands

Sebaceous glands produce sebum that reaches the surface.

Completely normal

Everyone has pores, whether they're visible or not.

Pores aren't flaws—they're a normal and necessary part of how healthy skin works.

Why Does Your Skin Need Pores?

What Do Pores Do?

Pores aren't just tiny openings you can see on your skin. They are connected to structures that help your skin release sebum, support hair growth, and maintain its natural protective environment.

01

Release Sebum

Sebaceous glands produce sebum, which travels through the pores to the skin's surface.

Sebum helps:
Reduce water loss
Keep the skin soft
Support the skin barrier
Protect the skin surface
02

Support Hair Growth

Pores are connected to hair follicles, which are responsible for growing body hair.

Hair follicles connect to pores
Hair can grow from these follicles
03

Help Maintain the Skin Surface

The follicle and sebaceous gland work together to support the skin's natural protective environment.

Supports the skin's natural environment
Works together with sebum production
Remember

Pores aren't something your skin needs to "get rid of." They're part of how healthy skin works.

Inside a Pore

How Are Pores Structured?

Think of a pore like a tiny pathway underneath your skin. Several connected structures work together before sebum reaches the surface.

Illustration showing the structure of a pore, hair follicle, sebaceous gland, and pore opening
A tiny pathway beneath the skin
The Pore Pathway

What's Inside a Pore?

01

Hair Follicle

The follicle is the structure where a hair grows.

02

Sebaceous Gland

The sebaceous gland is attached to the follicle and produces sebum.

03

Pore Opening

The follicle opens onto the skin's surface.

04

Sebum Reaches the Surface

Oil travels through the follicle and reaches the skin.

Hair follicle → sebaceous gland → pore opening → sebum reaches the skin's surface.

Are Visible Pores Normal?

Why Can I See My Pores?

Yes! Everyone has pores, but how noticeable they look can vary from person to person and even from one area of the face to another.

What Influences Visibility?

Everyone's Pores Look a Little Different

Pore visibility can naturally vary depending on your skin, genetics, environment, and how your skin changes over time.

Genetics

Your genes can influence how visible your pores naturally appear.

Sebum Production

More oil on the skin can make pores appear more noticeable.

Skin Texture

The texture and surface of your skin can affect how easily pores are seen.

Age

Changes in skin structure over time can affect pore visibility.

Sun Damage

UV exposure can affect the skin's structural support and make pores more noticeable.

Clogged Pores

Buildup inside a pore can make its opening appear more noticeable.

Reduced Skin Elasticity

Changes in firmness can affect how pores appear on the skin's surface.

The size and appearance of pores can naturally vary across different areas of the same face.

Why Do Pores Become More Noticeable?

What Makes Pores Look Larger?

Pores don't suddenly become giant holes. Instead, several factors can make them appear more prominent or noticeable on the skin.

Illustration showing factors that can make pores appear more noticeable
More noticeable ≠ giant holes
Common Influences

Why Do Pores Become More Noticeable?

Excess Sebum

More oil on the skin can make pores appear larger or more noticeable.

Clogged Pores

Oil, dead skin cells, and keratin can build up inside a follicle and make the opening more noticeable.

Aging

As collagen and elastin decrease, the surrounding skin can lose firmness.

Sun Damage

UV radiation can damage collagen and reduce the skin's structural support.

Genetics

Some people naturally have more visible pores than others.

Pore visibility is influenced by several factors, so seeing your pores doesn't automatically mean something is wrong with your skin.

What's the Difference?

Pores vs Enlarged Pores vs Clogged Pores

These terms sound similar, but they're not the same. Understanding the difference can help you avoid treating naturally visible pores like a skin problem.

Normal

Pores

Normal openings in the skin connected to hair follicles.

Everyone has them

Necessary for normal skin function

May be barely visible or noticeable

More Visible

Enlarged Pores

Pores that appear larger or more visible than the surrounding pores.

Often influenced by genetics

Can be influenced by oil production

Aging or sun damage can contribute

Buildup

Clogged Pores

Pores containing a buildup of sebum, dead skin cells, and keratin.

Usually contain sebum

Can contain dead skin cells and keratin

May lead to blackheads or whiteheads

Quick Tip

Visible doesn't automatically mean clogged. You can have naturally noticeable pores without having a blockage.

The Truth About "Opening" and "Closing" Pores

Can Pores Open and Close?

You've probably heard that steam "opens" your pores and cold water "closes" them. But pores don't work like doors.

Illustration explaining that pores do not physically open and close like doors
Pores don't work like doors
Let's Clear This Up

Pores Don't Have Muscles

Pores do not have muscles that allow them to physically open and close.

You've probably heard

"Use steam to open your pores."

Another common claim

"Use cold water to close them."

What actually happens

Heat may soften sebum and make the skin feel temporarily different, while cold temperatures can temporarily reduce swelling around the skin. Neither permanently opens or closes pores.

Think of temperature as something that can temporarily change how your skin feels or looks—not something that controls a pore like a door.

The Truth About Pore Size

Can You Permanently Shrink Pores?

You cannot permanently shrink your pores with skincare. Their size and visibility are influenced by several natural and environmental factors.

What Influences Pore Visibility?

Pore Size Isn't Something You Can Permanently Erase

Pore size and visibility are influenced by factors such as genetics, sebum production, age, skin elasticity, and sun exposure.

Genetics

Your natural pore size and visibility can be influenced by your genes.

Sebum Production

Higher oil production can make pores appear more noticeable.

Age

Changes in skin structure over time can affect how visible pores look.

Sun Exposure

UV exposure can affect collagen and the structural support around pores.

Skin Elasticity

Reduced firmness can make pores appear more prominent.

What you can do

You can make pores appear less noticeable by keeping them clear, managing excess oil, protecting your skin from UV damage, and maintaining healthy skin texture.

The goal isn't to erase your pores—it's to support healthy skin so they appear as balanced and unobtrusive as possible.

Understanding Pore Buildup

What Can Clog Pores?

A pore can become clogged when substances accumulate inside the hair follicle. Understanding what contributes to this buildup can help you care for your skin without over-cleansing or over-exfoliating.

Illustration showing buildup inside a clogged pore
Buildup inside the follicle
Common Contributors

What Builds Up Inside a Pore?

Excess Sebum

Extra oil can accumulate inside the follicle.

Dead Skin Cells

Shed skin cells can contribute to buildup inside the follicle.

Keratin

Keratin can accumulate together with sebum and dead skin cells.

Certain Cosmetic or Skincare Products

Some products may contribute to clogged pores for certain individuals.

A clogged pore can develop into
Blackheads
Whiteheads
Other acne lesions

Not every skincare product will clog pores, and "comedogenic" ratings aren't perfectly reliable for everyone. Your individual skin can respond differently to the same product.

Ingredients Commonly Used for Pore Care

Ingredients That Help Keep Pores Clear

Different ingredients can support pore care in different ways—from exfoliating buildup to managing excess oil and improving overall skin texture.

01

Salicylic Acid (BHA)

Helps exfoliate inside pores and remove excess oil and dead skin cells.

Helps clear pore buildup
02

Niacinamide

Supports the skin barrier and may help regulate excess sebum.

Supports oil balance
03

Retinoids

Help normalize skin cell turnover and reduce the buildup that can contribute to clogged pores.

Supports cell turnover
04

Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs)

Exfoliate the skin's surface and can improve overall skin texture.

Helps smooth surface texture
05

Clay

Can temporarily absorb excess oil from the skin's surface.

Temporarily absorbs surface oil
Remember

More active ingredients aren't always better. Choose ingredients based on your skin's needs and introduce them gradually to avoid unnecessary irritation.

Simple Pore-Care Tips

How to Care for Your Pores

Healthy pore care isn't about trying to erase your pores. A simple, consistent routine can help keep them clear while supporting your skin barrier.

Your Simple Pore-Care Routine

Keep Your Pores Clear Without Overdoing It

01

Cleanse Gently

Cleanse without harsh scrubbing or stripping your skin.

02

Avoid Harsh Scrubbing

Aggressive physical scrubbing can irritate the skin.

03

Use Appropriate Exfoliation

Choose exfoliation that suits your skin and avoid over-exfoliating.

04

Choose Suitable Skincare

Use products that work well with your individual skin type and needs.

05

Don't Pick or Squeeze

Avoid picking or squeezing clogged pores to reduce unnecessary irritation.

06

Moisturize Regularly

Keep your skin comfortable and support its natural barrier.

07

Wear Sunscreen Every Day

Protect your skin from daily UV exposure.

08

Don't Strip Natural Oil

You don't need to completely remove your skin's natural oil to care for your pores.

Remember

Good pore care is about balance—not trying to make your skin completely pore-free.

Let's Clear Up the Confusion

Myths vs Facts

Pores are surrounded by plenty of skincare myths. Let's separate common claims from what actually happens to your skin.

01
Myth

Pores open and close like doors.

Fact

Pores don't have muscles, so they don't open or close.

02
Myth

Cold water permanently closes pores.

Fact

Cold temperatures may temporarily affect the appearance of the skin, but they don't permanently close pores.

03
Myth

Hot water opens pores.

Fact

Warmth can soften oil and debris, but it doesn't physically open the pore.

04
Myth

You can make your pores disappear.

Fact

Pores are a normal part of healthy skin. You can make them less noticeable, but you can't remove them.

05
Myth

Every visible pore is clogged.

Fact

Some pores are simply naturally visible.

06
Myth

Scrubbing harder gives you cleaner pores.

Fact

Aggressive scrubbing can irritate the skin and damage the skin barrier without making pores healthier.

Mimii's Reminder

Your pores don't need to be erased. Understanding how they actually work makes skincare much easier.

Mimii
Mimii's Tip

Pores Are Not Flaws

Pores are not flaws—they're part of healthy skin.
Don't judge your skin by how visible your pores look in a mirror or close-up camera.
Instead of trying to erase them, focus on keeping them clear and supporting the skin around them.
Gentle cleansing, appropriate exfoliation, moisturizer, and daily sunscreen can help your skin look smoother while keeping its natural functions intact.

— Mimii ♡