Last Updated on November 20, 2025 by Giorgia Guazzarotti

Ready to bust some pore myths? Like it or not, your pores are here to stay. There’s no way to get rid of them completely – unless you Photoshop them away. That’s a good thing. You have pores for a reason. Their job is to allow sebum (your skin’s natural moisturiser) to reach the surface of your skin and keep it soft and healthy. Without it, your skin would be a mess. But that doesn’t mean you’re doomed to large pores. You can make them look smaller… if you know how. Here are some common pore myths that get in the way of flawless skin (and what to do instead):

Pore Myth #1: Cold Water Can Close Pores…

Pores aren’t doors. They can’t open and close at will. So why do pores look smaller after you splash your face with cold water? Simple: the colder temperatures make your pores constrict so they look smaller. You’ve guessed it, the effect is only temporary. If you’re trying to shrink pores, this ain’t the way to go about it.

Related: 3 Ways To Shrink Large Pores (That Really Work)

Struggling to put together a skincare routine that absorbs excess oil, banishes acne, and shrinks large pores? Download your FREE “Best Skincare Routine For Oily Skin” to get started (it features product recommendations + right application order):

Pore Myth #2: …And Hot Water Can Open Them

These two myths go hand in hand. And why not? If cold water could close pores, it’d made sense for hot water to have the opposite effect. But you can’t close pores… and you can’t open them either. Not with hot water or with anything else.

All hot water (or better, the steam from hot water) does is to melt away the impurities lodged into your pores, so it’s easy to remove them. That’s why aestheticians often steam your face during facials.

Before you rush to steam your face, hear this: heat and hot water can dry out skin. If you like to take boiling hot showers in winter (or is that just me?), you know what I’m talking about. Steaming your face may be ok in moderation. Just don’t make it into a regular habit.

Related: Steam Facials: Do They Help Or Harm Skin?

Pore Myth #3: Your Pore Size Never Changes

The size of your pores is genetically determined. Nothing you do can make them smaller than that. But if your skin pumps out way more oil than it needs, you use products with comedogenic ingredients, or don’t remove makeup at night, all that gunk can end up in your pores and clog them up.

Overtime, these clogs get so big, they stretch your pores wide, making them look bigger than they naturally are. That’s a job for exfoliation. Doing it regularly can keep your pores clean and small. Your pores can get larger as you get older, too. When your skin’s natural production of collagen slows down, your pore walls can slacken and look bigger.

Retinol’s your BFF. This form of Vitamin A fights large pores on two fronts: it boosts collagen production and speeds up the skin’s exfoliating process. While it’s at it, and it reduces wrinkles, too.

Best Picks:

• The Ordinary Retinol 2% In Squalene: 2% retinol in a moisturising squalane base. Available at Beauty Bay, Sephora, The Ordinary and Ulta
• Paula’s Choice Resist 1% Retinol Booster ($55.00): 1% retinol and plenty of antioxidants. You can use this alone or dilute it with your fave moisturiser to make it gentler on your skin. Available at Cult Beauty, Dermstore, Paula’s Choice
• Peter Thomas Roth Night Infusion PM ($65.00): 1.5% retinol release gradually over a period of several hours to make it gentler on your skin. Has a moisturising squalane base and its fair share of antioxidants. Available at Beauty Bay, Cult Beauty, Look Fantastic, Peter Thomas Roth, Revolve, and Ulta

Related: The Complete Guide To Retinol: What It Is, What It Does & How To Use It

Pore Myth #4: Blackheads Are Dirt Stuck Inside Your Pores

Blackheads ain’t dirt. Unless by dirt you mean the mix of excess sebum and dead skin cells that’s stuck in your pores. When this sticky mix reaches the surface of your skin and comes in contact with air, it can oxidise (i.e. turn black). It usually happens on the t-zone (you have more sebaceous glands there), but if your skin’s very oily, they can pop up anywhere.

You can wash your face all you want, but you’ll only manage to dry it out. Your blackheads will stay put, as if nothing happened. The only way to get rid of blackheads is to use a salicylic acid exfoliant. Also called BHA, this exfoliant gets inside your pores to remove all the gunk from within.

Best Picks:

• Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Night Serum ($90.00): Don’t let the name fool you. This exfoliant has both salicylic acid to unclog pores and glycolic acid to fade away the dark spots pimples sometimes leave behind. Available at Cult Beauty, Sephora and SpaceNK.
• Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid ($29.00): The cult exfoliant from the brand, it unlclogs pores and treats blackheads and acne. The texture’s a little sticky, but if you can take that, this is one of the best salicylic acid exfoliants out there. Available at Cult Beauty, Paula’s Choice, Sephora, and SpaceNK.
• The Inkey List Beta Hydroxy Acid (£9.99): A simple, no-frills salicylic acid exfoliant for people on a budget. Available at Cult Beauty.

FAQ

Do pore strips actually work or are they just satisfying lies?

They’re basically skincare junk food. Super satisfying to look at all that crap stuck to the strip, totally useless for actually fixing anything. You’re only yanking out surface stuff – all the real gunk that’s stretched your pores out? Still sitting there, laughing at you. Plus if you get too excited with them, you can irritate your skin and make everything worse. Skip the instant gratification and just use salicylic acid. Boring? Yes. Actually works? Also yes.

Will drinking more water help shrink my pores?

No. Just… no. Water’s great, drink it, stay hydrated, your body needs it. But it’s not gonna do anything for your pores. Your pore size is about genetics and what’s clogging them up, not how much water you’re chugging. Anyone telling you to “just drink more water” for your pores is either clueless or selling something.

Can makeup make my pores bigger?

The makeup itself won’t, but being lazy about taking it off sure as hell will. If you’re piling on thick foundation every day and then face-planting into your pillow without washing it off, you’re basically feeding your pores a buffet of clogging ingredients. And clogged pores = stretched pores. The makeup’s not the problem – your bedtime routine (or lack of one) is.

Are there any ingredients I should avoid if I have large pores?

Heavy oils and thick creams are not your friends. Coconut oil, cocoa butter, super rich moisturizers – they can turn your pores into a clogged nightmare. Check for “non-comedogenic” on the label, but honestly, just watch how your own skin reacts. What clogs up your bestie’s pores might be fine for you and vice versa.

Do those pore-minimizing primers actually work?

They’re fancy spackling paste. They fill in your pores so everything looks smooth for a few hours, but they’re not doing anything real. Wash your face and boom – you’re right back where you started. Fine for a wedding or when you need to look perfect in photos, but don’t kid yourself that they’re skincare.

My pores look huge when I wear foundation. What am I doing wrong?

Your foundation’s sitting in your pores like it’s moving in permanently, making them look even more obvious than before. Try using less product – I know, scary – and apply it with a damp beauty sponge instead of a brush. Also maybe use a mattifying primer first. And for god’s sake, exfoliate regularly. Foundation on top of dead skin is a recipe for looking like your pores are craters.

Can sun damage make pores look bigger?

Oh hell yes. The sun destroys collagen and elastin, which are basically what keep your pore walls tight. When those break down, your pores start sagging and looking huge. So yeah, wear your sunscreen. Every day. Even when it’s cloudy. Your 40-year-old self will be way less pissed at you.

The Bottom Line

Pores aren’t doors. They can’t open or close. They don’t change size either. But you can make them look smaller by keeping them clean.