Ageing skin is another culprit due to reduced skin elasticity and loss of collagen - “this makes the underlying skin less firm and the structure support sag," continues Dr Paris.
Likewise, the sun dehydrates your skin, explains Nina, which makes the oil glands over-grown: “this in turn makes pores look bigger,” she notes. In warmer weather the skin surrounding the pores has a tendency to swell and dilate, too – and with perspiration more sebum is produced, again contributing to larger looking pores.
As for other factors, inadequate skin cleansing, occlusive (or overly thick) makeup, and non-medical grade skincare (which may use ingredients that block pores) can also contribute.
Are there triggers that make pores more visible?
“Sunlight plays a part in making them look more visible,” says Nina, so if you’re out in bright, clear sunlight, they’re likely to show up more. “Make-up can also make pores seem bigger than they actually are,” she says. “Powders and foundation can settle into those tiny holes over the course of the day, making them appear larger.”
Is it true that pores can open and close – i.e warm water can open them and cold water can close them?
“No! It’s a myth! Pores do not open and close like doors,” says Nina. Why? They’re simply openings in our skin and, crucially, they don’t have muscles attached to them so they can’t pull and contract.
Instead, cold water can make blood vessels constrict, making pores appear smaller for the short time they’re cool, while hot water and steam can loosen up the sebum and debris inside the pore, enabling it to be squeezed out more easily (though we know we’re not really supposed to). So, “they can temporarily appear to close with cold and open with heat but for a very short time, they then they go back to normal size,” says Nina.
How to get rid of pores?
In terms of actually getting rid of pores, it's not possible. “Unfortunately, once pores have stretched, they cannot go back to their original size,” says Nina. However, the good news is, we can make them appear smaller. “Large pores can continue enlarging if you allow them to stretch out and become clogged with whiteheads, blackheads, sebum, and dirt,” Nina warns.
Can you close pores overnight?
As we've said - pores don't open and close so from the off, the answer to this question is no. However Dr Paris suggests using evidence-backed skincare before bed such as salicylic acid, glycolic acid and retinols to help clear the pores, improve skin texture and stimulate collagen production. In turn this will result in a better appearance of pores.
How can we minimise the appearance of pores?
“You can do this by cleansing skin twice a day and exfoliating twice a week in order to remove oil, dirt, sebum and cellular debris,” says Nina. “Minimising sun exposure is also key since UV radiation breaks down collagen and elastin, which in turn expands the pore size,” adds Nina, “so using an SPF of 40+ every day is vital.”
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