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How to Minimise Enlarged Pores Using Skincare & In-Office Treatments

Enlarged pores are a common skin concern affecting people of all ages and skin types. Pores on the face serve an essential biological function and cannot be permanently eliminated, but with targeted skincare and professional treatments their appearance can be minimised along with overall skin texture.

Reviewed by Dr Tania Romano,
PhD - Head of Medical & Education SkinCeuticals

Creation Date:

Update Date: 06 Jul 2026

Article Overview

• Enlarged pores are caused by excess oil production, ageing and loss of skin elasticity, sun damage, genetics, clogged pores, and hormonal changes.

• To minimize pores, maintain a consistent skincare routine with regular exfoliation, use of non-comedogenic products, thorough cleansing, and daily sunscreen to protect collagen and skin health.

• SkinCeuticals skincare includes Simply Clean cleanser, Cell Cycle Catalyst Serum to boost cell turnover

• Professional treatments like, HydraFacial® and microdermabrasion, offer more intensive pore refinement and skin texture improvement.

• For optimal pore minimization, integrate a balanced at-home skincare routine with targeted in-office treatments and consult with SkinCeuticals experts for a customized plan.

What are pores on the face?

Skin pores are tiny openings on the face that house hair follicles and sebaceous glands. Pores on the face serve a critical biological function: they allow sebum — the skin's natural oil — to reach the surface, maintaining moisture and protecting the skin moisture barrier.

Pore size is largely governed by genetics and skin type — individuals with oilier skin tend to have more visible pores, as higher sebum output expands the follicle opening over time.

What causes enlarged and open pores?

Enlarged pores affect people across all skin types and ages. Understanding what causes large pores is the first step toward effective treatment:

• Excess sebum production: Oily skin produces surplus oil that mixes with dead cells, stretching the follicle opening and creating porous skin and visible pores
• Genetics: Individuals predisposed to big pores inherit sebaceous gland size and skin type, making some naturally more prone to large pores
• Loss of collagen with age: Collagen and elastin diminish over time, causing surrounding tissue to lose firmness — a primary reason why pores get bigger progressively
• Sun damage: UV exposure degrades collagen and elastin, contributing to open pores and deep pores that appear increasingly prominent
• Clogged pores: Build-up of dead skin cells, dirt, and makeup stretches pore openings, producing acne pores and inflamed pores
• Hormonal fluctuations: Hormonal changes increase sebum production, directly impacting pore clarity and explaining what causes enlarged pores suddenly

If visible pores appear to worsen rapidly, hormonal shifts or changes in skincare habits are common contributors — distinguishing large pores vs small pores often comes down to sebum regulation and skin renewal consistency.

How can I minimise and get rid of pores on my face?

Consistent skincare significantly reduces the appearance of pores and makes pores appear smaller visually. Learning how to minimise pores means addressing root causes: excess oil, dead cell build-up, and collagen loss.
To reduce pore size and shrink pores naturally:

• Cleanse twice daily with Simply Clean to clear pores on face of oil, dirt, and makeup
• Exfoliate 1–3 times weekly with Micro-Exfoliating Scrub to remove dead cells that stretch and enlarge pores
• Apply Cell Cycle Catalyst Serum daily to accelerate cell turnover and visibly tighten pores
• Use SPF 50 daily with Ultra Facial Defense Sunscreen to protect collagen and reduce pore size long-term
• Choose non-comedogenic products to prevent the clogging that makes how to reduce the appearance of pores more difficult

For how to get rid of pores more intensively, professional treatments such as HydraFacial® and microdermabrasion provide deeper how to tighten pores results when combined with an at-home routine. Consult a SkinCeuticals Skincare Professional for a customised plan.

How do I treat large pores on my nose, cheeks, and forehead?

Pore visibility varies by facial zone because sebaceous gland density differs across the face. Nose pores and pores on cheeks tend to be the most noticeable — the T-zone houses a higher concentration of oil glands, making enlarged pores on nose and big pores on nose particularly common concerns.

Nose: To shrink pores on nose, prioritise thorough cleansing with Simply Clean and regular exfoliation to prevent a permanently stretched nose pore from worsening. For how to get rid of pores on nose more intensively, HydraFacial^® reduces oil production and visibly tighten the area. For how to shrink nose pores overnight, a clay-based mask can temporarily absorb excess sebum and reduce nose pore visibility.
Cheeks: Large pores on cheeks respond well to Cell Cycle Catalyst Serum, which improves skin elasticity and texture in this zone through accelerated cell turnover.
Forehead: Pores on forehead are driven primarily by oil production — daily SPF 50 with Ultra Defense Sunscreen preserves collagen integrity and prevents UV-induced pore enlargement in this area.