Fact or Fiction: We Bust 4 Common Myths About Your Pores

We’ve all been blessed with skin pores, thousands and thousands of them. We say blessed because—despite all the flack that’s hurdled their way—they are a vital part of our body’s largest organ. Still, outside of a rough-looking complexion and clogs that may lead to breakouts, not everyone understands pores. That’s why we’re here to clear up the fog! Below, the top four myths about your pores…debunked.

MYTH #1: YOU CAN GET RID OF PORES

We hate to be the bearer of bad news, but you can’t banish your pores forever. Yes, they can look really unsightly, but they serve an important purpose as a gateway for sebum and a home for your hair follicles. If your pores look larger than you’d like—show of hands?—we share a few helpful tips to minimize the visible appearance of large pores, here.   

MYTH #2: RUBBING ICE ON SKIN MAKES PORES SMALLER 

This is sort-of true. The cooling effect of ice can cause skin to constrict, making pores appear tightened and thus, smaller. However, this reaction is only temporary and will subside shortly after the ice is removed. Not to mention, the ice may be too cold for the skin and can actually irritate your complexion. A better way to make your pores appear less noticeable is to cleanse twice daily to remove excess sebum, dirt, and debris that could be creating a clog. Use pore-minimizing products with a smoothing matte finish—like L’Oreal Paris Youth Code Texture Perfector Pore Vanisher—to help keep excess shine at bay. If your pores reflect light due to oil sitting at the surface, they may appear larger. 

MYTH #3: PORES OPEN AND CLOSE

Forget what your mother told you. It’s widely believed that hot water—read: steam facials—make pores open wide, and cold-water rinses make them close back up again, but it’s just not the way it works. We repeat: Pores cannot open and close like a door. They’re always open, which is how we’re able to sweat. When a clog is formed—from sebum and impurities—hot steam can help soften the gunk for extraction, but it doesn’t “open pores” as some have asserted. 

MYTH #4: THE BLACK DOTS ON YOUR NOSE ARE FROM DIRT 

You know those little black dots studded across your nose and cheeks? You might have heard that they’re little pieces of dirt, but don’t buy into it. They’re actually just blackheads—aka clogged pores that have oxidized and turned a brownish-black hue.

Need help tackling your blackheads and preventing new ones from forming? Lucky for you, we’ve laid out the best products to help kick blackheads to the curb!