Large pores are a pesky (albeit common) skincare concern, especially for those with oily skin types. Pores are tiny openings in the skin that secrete sweat and sebum, your skin’s natural oil. Though everybody has them, their size can vary—they’re virtually invisible in some and prominent in others. Given that enlarged pores can make your skin look rough and uneven, it’s not surprising that questions about how to get rid of large pores are among the most common skincare experts hear. Unfortunately, there’s nothing you can do to change your pore size—not completely, anyway. But the right skincare routine can help minimize the appearance of skin pores and promote a smooth, uniform skin texture. Ahead, we’ll explain what can cause enlarged pores and reveal how to make pores smaller-looking with a targeted skincare routine designed for this very purpose. Keep reading for all of the need-to-knows. Why Do Pores Look Big? If you’ve found yourself standing in front of the bathroom mirror, wondering, “Why are my pores so big?”, we’ll be the first to tell you that mom and dad are likely to blame—at least partially. According to the Cleveland Clinic, the physical size of your pores is determined by genes passed down from your parents. However, there are several other factors that can cause pores to appear larger or more prominent. These include: Your skin type: Those with oily skin tend to have larger, more noticeable pores than those with drier skin types. Aging: With age, the skin can lose elasticity and begin to sag, which can cause the pores to stretch out and become more prominent. Sun damage: In addition to painful burns and stubborn dark spots, sun damage can cause the skin to lose its natural firmness. Over time, this can result in big pores, particularly on the face. Dead skin buildup: Without a proper skincare routine, dead skin, oil, and other debris can become trapped within your facial pores, making them both larger and more noticeable. Using the wrong products for your skin type: Some skincare and makeup products can clog your pores, making them appear larger and more noticeable. To avoid clogged pores, the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) advises sticking with non-comedogenic (in other words, non-pore-clogging) beauty products. How To Minimize the Appearance of Large Pores While you can’t totally eliminate big pores on your face, there are plenty of things you can do to make existing pores less noticeable. Read on as we share a skincare routine for managing enlarged pores, plus details on the best ingredients to use in your routine. Skincare routine for smaller-looking pores Step 1: Gently cleanse your skin Start your morning and evening skincare routine by washing your face with a gentle cleanser and lukewarm water. This helps remove makeup, oil, and other debris that can clog your pores and make them more noticeable. Pick a cleanser designed for your skin type and concerns, or reach for a pick suitable for all skin types, like the Youth to the People Kale + Spinach Superfood Cleanser. The pH-balanced formula helps remove buildup without over-drying the skin, leaving it feeling soft and smooth—not stripped. Step 2: Apply an exfoliating toner According to the AAD, regular exfoliation can help make your pores less noticeable. There are many ways to exfoliate, but using an exfoliating toner is a great way to incorporate this essential step into your everyday routine. Try it for yourself with the SkinCeuticals Equalizing Toner, which contains gentle hydroxy acids and helps refine the skin while removing any residue not whisked away during your cleansing step. Step 3: Smooth on a vitamin C serum The Cleveland Clinic explains that skincare products with vitamin C can help brighten, firm, and smooth the skin. Some vitamin C serums, such as the L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Vitamin C + E + Salicylic Acid Serum, can also help minimize the appearance of large, visible pores. This drugstore powerhouse contains 12% pure vitamin C and instantly boosts radiance while helping to minimize the look of enlarged pores (as well as fine lines and dark spots) with consistent use. Crucially, it’s non-comedogenic, so you don’t have to worry about the lightweight formula clogging your pores. Step 4: Moisturize It may seem counterintuitive, but if you have oily skin and large pores, moisturizing regularly is a must. Per the AAD, skipping moisturizer can leave your skin dehydrated, which can make your skin produce more oil to compensate. Still, you’ll want to choose your moisturizer carefully to avoid exacerbating your skin concerns. We suggest opting for a non-comedogenic formula designed for oily skin, like the Vichy Mineral 89 48H Moisture Matte Sorbet. The gel formula provides up to 48 hours of hydration and helps control excess oiliness for a balanced complexion. At night, try the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, a non-comedogenic moisturizer formulated to calm, hydrate, and restore the skin overnight. Step 5: Finish with SPF (for daytime) Round out your morning skincare routine by applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or greater to help shield your skin from damaging UV rays. For those with oily skin, we love the La Roche-Posay Anthelios Mineral Zinc Oxide Sunscreen SPF 50. It has a lightweight texture, absorbs quickly, and leaves behind a matte finish (without a chalky white cast). Just remember that for adequate sun protection, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends reapplying your sunscreen at least every two hours and avoiding direct sun exposure during the midday hours. Step 6: Mask once weekly Incorporating a face mask into your nighttime routine once or twice a week isn’t just a relaxing ritual—the right mask can also help minimize the appearance of enlarged pores. For smoother, clearer-looking skin, we recommend the Kiehl’s Rare Earth Deep Pore Minimizing Clay Mask. It’s made with fairly-traded Amazonian white clay and helps absorb excess oil, visibly reducing clogged pores to reveal a more refined complexion. Best skincare ingredients for large pores No skincare ingredient can make your pores disappear. There are, however, some ingredients that can help keep pores clear of debris and, by extension, minimize how noticeable they appear. If you have big pores, consider adding the following to your routine. Salicylic acid: This beta-hydroxy acid can often be found in skincare products for those with oily and blemish-prone skin. In skincare products, it helps to provide gentle exfoliation, which can help keep breakouts and clogged pores at bay. Niacinamide: According to the Cleveland Clinic, products with niacinamide may help to regulate oiliness, which can make pores appear less noticeable over time. Retinoids: Retinoids, including retinol, are often used to help improve skin texture and tone and unclog pores. Keep in mind that there are several different types of retinoids, some of which are much stronger than others. If you’re new to retinoids, consult with your dermatologist before incorporating one ingredient into your routine. Clay: Skincare products with clay (like the aforementioned Kiehl’s mask) can help absorb excess oil, which can make large pores look smaller temporarily. Vitamin C: As mentioned earlier, products with vitamin C can help to brighten, firm, and refine the skin’s texture to promote smoother-looking skin over time. Common Pore Myths Debunked There are a lot of myths and misconceptions about facial pores and how they work. Here, we’re diving into a few of the most common. You can shrink your pores. Far and away, the most common pore-related myth we come across is the idea that you can shrink your pores. You can’t—as we mentioned earlier, pore size is genetic. Certain skincare products or in-office treatments may make them look smaller, but they can’t actually shrink. (They can, however, get bigger, which is why maintaining a proper skincare routine is so crucial). Pores open and close. False—pores don’t open or close. This misconception likely stems from the terms “closed comedone” and “open comedone,” which refer to whiteheads and blackheads, respectively. Steaming your face can help loosen buildup from within clogged pores and make blackheads easier for a professional to remove, but it’s not because the pores are open—it’s because your skin is softer when wet. Only people with oily skin have large pores. Oily skin can contribute to large pores, but it’s not the only factor at play. Genetics, sun damage, aging, and product use can all contribute to clogged or enlarged pores. Next Up: Should You Pop a Pimple? Here’s What You Need To Know for Your Next Breakout