What Causes Enlarged Pores on the Face?

Look closely at anyone’s skin and you will see pores. They are a normal part of healthy skin, not something that needs to be completely removed.

However, some people have more visible or enlarged pores, particularly around the nose, cheeks, forehead and chin. These pores can make the skin appear rougher or less even, especially when combined with oiliness, blackheads or uneven skin texture.

So, what causes enlarged pores on the face?

Research suggests that three of the most important factors are high sebum production, reduced skin elasticity around the pores and larger hair follicles. Acne, hormones and skincare habits may also influence how visible pores become.

The good news is that while you cannot permanently eliminate pores, you may be able to make them look smaller and less noticeable by treating the factors contributing to their appearance.

Let’s look at why facial pores become enlarged and what you can realistically do about them.

What Are Facial Pores?

What we commonly call a “pore” is the visible opening of a hair follicle at the skin’s surface. Many facial follicles are connected to sebaceous glands, which produce an oily substance called sebum.

Pores are particularly noticeable in areas with more active sebaceous glands, including the:

Visible facial pores are normal, benign features of the skin. Research has found considerable differences in how prominent they appear depending on factors such as skin characteristics, age, ethnicity and location on the face.

The goal of skincare should therefore not be to create completely “poreless” skin.

Instead, the realistic aim is to reduce excessive pore visibility and improve the surrounding skin texture.

What Causes Enlarged Pores?

There is rarely one single reason.

Several factors often occur together.

1. Excess Oil Production

One of the strongest factors associated with enlarged facial pores is high sebum production.

Sebum itself is not bad. It helps lubricate and protect your skin.

The problem occurs when sebaceous glands produce a large amount of oil.

Research examining facial pores found a positive relationship between sebum production and visible pore size. In other words, people producing more facial oil tended to have more noticeable pores.

This is why enlarged pores are often particularly noticeable in people with:

You may notice the pores most clearly around the nose and inner cheeks, where oil production tends to be more prominent.

Signs oil may be contributing to your enlarged pores

You may experience:

If excess oil is the main problem, controlling oil and keeping follicles clear may improve how noticeable your pores appear.

2. Clogged Pores

A pore can look more prominent when it becomes clogged.

Oil, dead skin cells and other material can accumulate within follicles, contributing to blackheads and other forms of acne.

The American Academy of Dermatology notes that clogged pores and an oily complexion can make pores look larger.

This is why a nose covered with blackheads may appear to have very large pores even though some of what you are seeing is congestion within those openings.

Keeping pores clear can therefore make the surface of the skin look smoother.

However, aggressively squeezing blackheads is not the solution.

Repeated picking can:

A consistent acne-friendly skincare routine is generally safer.

3. Genetics

Sometimes large pores simply run in the family.

Genetics can influence factors such as:

That means someone can have visible pores even when they cleanse properly and have no significant acne.

You cannot change your underlying genetics.

However, you may still be able to reduce the appearance of genetically prominent pores by keeping them clear and improving the quality of the surrounding skin.

4. Loss of Skin Elasticity

Pores do not exist independently of the skin around them.

Collagen, elastin and other components of the dermis help provide support around follicular openings.

When that support decreases, pores can become more visible.

A major review of enlarged facial pores identified reduced elasticity around pores as one of the three principal causes of enlarged pores.

Another clinical study found that lower skin elasticity was associated with more visible facial pores.

This helps explain why pores may become more noticeable as skin ages.

Instead of the pore itself suddenly becoming dramatically larger, changes in the surrounding tissue can make the opening appear wider or more elongated.

5. Ageing

You may notice that your pores appear more obvious in your thirties, forties or later than they did when you were younger.

Ageing can contribute through changes in:

Reduced elasticity can allow follicular openings to appear more prominent.

This does not mean everyone develops significantly enlarged pores with age.

Genetics, sun exposure, oil production and skincare habits also affect how your skin changes over time.

6. Sun Damage

Long-term ultraviolet exposure can contribute to photoaging, which affects the skin’s structure and elasticity.

Enlarged or dilated facial pores have also been discussed as one of the visible characteristics associated with photoaged skin.

Sun exposure can contribute to changes in:

As the supporting tissue around follicles becomes less firm, pores may look more pronounced.

This is one reason sunscreen plays an important role even if your primary concern is pores rather than pigmentation.

7. Acne

Acne and enlarged pores are closely connected.

Acne develops when follicles become clogged. Hormonal changes, particularly increases in androgens during puberty, can enlarge sebaceous glands and increase oil production, contributing to blocked pores.

Research has also found an association between acne and a greater number of visible facial pores.

Acne may contribute to uneven-looking texture through:

It is important to separate large pores from acne scars, however.

An enlarged pore is not necessarily a scar.

Deep depressions such as ice pick, rolling or boxcar acne scars require different treatments.

8. Hormonal Changes

Hormones can indirectly influence pore visibility by affecting the activity of sebaceous glands.

During puberty, for example, androgens stimulate the oil glands to become larger and produce more sebum.

Changes in oil production may also occur at different stages of adulthood.

The clinical literature on enlarged pores identifies sex hormones as one factor that may influence pore size.

This helps explain why pore visibility sometimes changes even when a person’s skincare routine remains the same.

9. Larger Hair Follicles

One cause of enlarged pores that gets much less attention is hair follicle size.

The major clinical review of facial pores identified increased hair-follicle volume as one of the three principal causes of enlarged facial pores, alongside increased sebum and decreased elasticity.

This matters because skincare cannot completely change the natural anatomy of your follicles.

Someone whose pore visibility is primarily structural may therefore have less dramatic results from oil-controlling skincare than someone whose large pores mainly result from congestion.

10. Irritating Skincare Habits

Trying too hard to “deep clean” pores may actually make them look worse.

The AAD notes that scrubbing the face can irritate the skin, and inflammation can make pores more noticeable. It also recommends using warm rather than hot water because hot water can irritate the skin.

Problematic habits may include:

You do not need to scrub inside your pores to “clean them out.”

Gentle, consistent skincare is usually more effective.

Why Are My Pores So Large on My Nose?

The nose naturally contains many sebaceous follicles, making pores particularly noticeable in this area.

Oil production and congestion can make them appear even larger.

Many of the small dark dots you see on the nose may also be sebaceous filaments rather than true blackheads.

Sebaceous filaments are associated with the normal movement of sebum through the follicle.

Trying to permanently squeeze every visible dot from the nose usually leads to disappointment because the follicle continues functioning.

Instead, focus on controlling excessive oil and preventing congestion.

Why Are My Pores Large on My Cheeks?

Large pores on the cheeks may involve a combination of:

If cheek pores become more obvious as you age, declining elasticity around the follicles may be contributing.

If they have always been visible, genetics or follicle anatomy may play a larger role.

Do Pores Actually Open and Close?

No.

Pores do not function like tiny doors that physically open when exposed to steam and close when exposed to cold water.

Warm water may help loosen surface oil and make cleansing more comfortable, but it does not permanently open pores.

Similarly, splashing your face with freezing water will not permanently close them.

You can instead make pores appear less noticeable by:

That is a much more realistic goal.

Can You Permanently Shrink Enlarged Pores?

Not completely.

Because pores are part of your normal skin anatomy, permanently eliminating them is unrealistic.

What you can potentially improve is their appearance.

For example, a clogged pore may look smaller once congestion is treated.

A pore made more obvious by sun damage and poor elasticity may become less noticeable after treatments that improve the surrounding skin.

The AAD similarly frames pore treatment around making pores less noticeable, rather than eliminating them.

How Can You Make Enlarged Pores Look Smaller?

Treatment should address the underlying cause.

Cleanse Gently

Regular cleansing can help remove oil and material that contributes to clogged pores.

The AAD recommends cleansing the face twice daily and after sweating, while avoiding aggressive scrubbing.

Use:

Your skin should feel clean—not painfully tight.

Consider Salicylic Acid

Salicylic acid can be useful when enlarged pores are associated with oily skin, blackheads or congestion.

The AAD notes that salicylic acid cleansers can help unclog pores.

It may be especially helpful for:

However, frequent use can cause dryness or irritation in some people.

Introduce it gradually.

Use Non-Comedogenic Skincare

If you are prone to clogged pores, look for products labelled:

Products that contribute to follicular blockage can worsen acne and congestion. The AAD advises acne-prone individuals to choose products designed not to clog pores.

Consider a Retinoid

Topical retinoids are commonly used for acne and photoaging.

By helping prevent clogged follicles and supporting long-term changes in skin texture, they may be useful for some people with enlarged-looking pores.

Retinoids can cause:

so they should be introduced carefully.

Prescription treatment should be discussed with a healthcare professional when appropriate.

Wear Sunscreen

Because UV-related damage can affect skin elasticity and texture, daily sun protection is an important part of managing pores over the long term.

Sunscreen will not make pores disappear overnight.

Its role is preventing additional damage that may make skin texture and pore visibility worse.

Moisturise

Oily skin still needs appropriate hydration.

Trying to completely dry out your skin may increase irritation and make the texture more obvious.

Choose a moisturiser appropriate for your skin type, especially if you use salicylic acid, retinoids or other acne treatments.

What Professional Treatments Can Improve Enlarged Pores?

When skincare is not enough, dermatological or aesthetic treatments may be considered.

The correct option depends on whether your pores are mainly related to:

Microneedling

Microneedling uses very small needles to create controlled micro-injuries in the skin.

Dermatologists use microneedling for concerns including large pores, acne scars, uneven texture, wrinkles and certain pigmentation problems.

It may be particularly useful when enlarged pores occur alongside textural changes.

Multiple sessions are often required.

Radiofrequency Microneedling

RF microneedling combines microneedling with radiofrequency energy.

The intention is to stimulate dermal remodelling while improving concerns such as skin texture and enlarged pores.

Published clinical research has reported improvement in facial pore appearance following fractional microneedle radiofrequency treatment.

Suitability depends on skin type, medical history and treatment settings.

Chemical Peels

Chemical exfoliation may help when pore visibility is partly related to:

Different acids penetrate to different depths, so stronger is not automatically better.

People with darker skin tones or a history of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation should be particularly careful with aggressive peels.

Laser and Energy-Based Treatments

Various laser, radiofrequency and other energy-based treatments have been investigated for enlarged pores.

Their effectiveness and risks vary according to:

A treatment that works well for one patient’s pores may be inappropriate for another.

What Is the Best Treatment for Enlarged Pores?

There is no single best treatment because the cause matters.

A useful way to think about it is:

If your pores are oily and clogged:
Focus on oil control, salicylic acid and acne-friendly skincare.

If they are associated with acne:
Treat the acne and prevent new congestion.

If they have become more noticeable with ageing:
Treatments that improve skin quality and elasticity may be more relevant.

If you have significant acne scars:
Scar-specific treatments such as microneedling, subcision or resurfacing may be needed.

If they have always been naturally large:
Genetics and follicular anatomy may limit how much improvement is possible.

The scientific review of enlarged facial pores specifically concludes that because several different factors can cause them, treatment should be individualised.

Common Mistakes That Can Make Pores Look Worse

If you want smoother-looking skin, avoid:

The AAD specifically warns that irritation and inflammation can make pores appear more noticeable.

More aggressive skincare does not necessarily mean smaller pores.

Frequently Asked Questions About Enlarged Pores

Why have my pores suddenly become larger?

Changes in oil production, congestion, acne, hormones, skincare habits or skin elasticity can affect how visible pores appear. The three major clinical factors identified in research are excessive sebum, decreased elasticity around pores and larger hair follicles.

Does oily skin cause large pores?

Oily skin is strongly associated with more visible facial pores. Research has found a positive correlation between sebum production and facial pore appearance.

Can clogged pores make pores look bigger?

Yes. The AAD notes that clogged pores can make them appear more noticeable.

Does ageing cause enlarged pores?

Ageing can reduce skin elasticity and structural support around follicles, which may make pores look more obvious. Reduced elasticity is recognised as one of the principal causes of enlarged facial pores.

Does sun damage make pores larger?

Chronic UV-related skin changes can affect elasticity and texture, and enlarged pores have been described as a feature associated with photoaging.

Can pores be permanently closed?

No. Pores are normal structures in the skin. Treatments aim to make them less visible, rather than permanently remove or close them.

Does cold water shrink pores?

Cold water may temporarily change how the skin feels or looks, but it cannot permanently change the anatomical size of your follicles.

Is salicylic acid good for enlarged pores?

It can be useful when pores appear large because of oiliness or congestion. The AAD recommends salicylic acid as one option for helping unclog pores.

Can microneedling improve large pores?

Yes, microneedling is among the procedures dermatologists use to improve the appearance of large pores and uneven skin texture.

Are large pores unhealthy?

Usually not. Visible facial pores are normal, benign skin features.

They are primarily a cosmetic concern unless accompanied by acne, persistent inflammation or another skin condition.

Final Thoughts: Why Are Your Pores Enlarged?

If you have enlarged pores on your face, there probably is not one simple explanation.

Research points to three particularly important factors:

Excessive sebum production, decreased elasticity around the pores and naturally larger hair follicles.

Acne, hormonal changes, clogged pores, genetics, sun exposure and skincare habits can also influence how noticeable they appear.

The most effective approach is therefore to determine why your pores look large before choosing a treatment.

If they are oily and congested, focus on keeping follicles clear.

If reduced elasticity is the main issue, treatments designed to improve overall skin texture and dermal support may be more appropriate.

If acne is contributing, control the acne first.

And if your pores are simply part of your natural genetics, remember that completely poreless skin is neither realistic nor necessary.

With appropriate skincare and, when needed, professional treatment, you may be able to achieve cleaner pores, smoother skin texture and pores that appear less prominent—without trying to erase a completely normal part of your skin.

This article is for general educational purposes and does not replace personalised medical advice, diagnosis or treatment from a qualified healthcare professional.