The Anatomy First

A pore is simply an opening in your skin that houses a hair follicle and a sebaceous gland. That’s it.

There are:

• no muscles surrounding it
• no mechanism controlling its diameter
• no biological “switch”

Unlike your pupils, which dilate and contract because of muscle tissue, pores have no moving parts whatsoever.

This is not debated in dermatology - it’s basic skin anatomy.

A pore is always open. Every single one on your face, right now, is open.

So What Are We Actually Seeing?

When you steam your face and your skin looks clearer, something real did happen - just not what you think.

Heat and Steam

Heat softens and liquefies sebum (your skin’s natural oil), making it easier to remove during cleansing.

Once debris clears:

• the pore is no longer stretched internally
• it appears smaller and cleaner

The pore didn’t open - the contents changed.

Cold Water and Ice

Cold exposure creates a tightening sensation many people interpret as pore closure.

What’s actually happening:

• blood vessels temporarily constrict beneath the skin
• surface feels tighter

Your pores themselves remain unchanged.

You’re not controlling pore size.
You’re controlling what’s inside them - and that distinction matters when building a skincare routine.

Can You Shrink Pores Permanently?

This is one of the most searched skincare questions online.

The honest answer: not permanently.

Pore size is largely determined by:

• genetics
• skin type
• oil production
• collagen support around the follicle

As we age, collagen declines and skin loses elasticity, making pores appear larger over time.

What Actually Makes Pores Look Smaller

While pores cannot close, they can appear consistently smaller when kept clear and structurally supported.

Salicylic Acid

Oil-soluble and able to penetrate inside the follicle, salicylic acid dissolves sebum and dead skin cells that stretch pores visibly.

Niacinamide

Helps regulate sebum production over time, reducing buildup that enlarges pore appearance.

Retinoids

Stimulate collagen production around pores over months, strengthening the surrounding skin structure — the closest thing to long-term pore refinement.

Daily Sunscreen (SPF)

UV exposure breaks down collagen, one of the main reasons pores enlarge with age. Consistent SPF protects structural support.

Non-Comedogenic Moisturiser

Maintains barrier health while preventing pore-clogging buildup.

Do Pore Strips Work?

Temporarily.

Pore strips remove the top portion of a blackhead - the oxidised plug visible at the surface but leave the follicle intact.

Because the underlying oil production continues, the blackhead typically reforms within days.

They’re satisfying, not structural.

The Real Goal

The goal was never to close pores.

The goal is to keep them clear, balanced, and supported.

When you stop trying to force pores to behave like doors that open and shut, skincare becomes simpler - and far more effective.

Ps- our retinol-based Overnight Repair night cream builds collagen around the pores, and improves the appearance of pores over regular use. 

You could check us out here

 

FAQ

Do pores actually open and close? No. Pores do not have muscles and cannot change size actively. They only appear larger or smaller depending on what fills them.

Why does steaming make pores look open? Steam softens oil and debris inside pores, making them easier to cleanse, which creates the appearance of smaller pores afterward.

Does cold water close pores? No. Cold temperatures temporarily constrict blood vessels, creating a tightening sensation but not altering pore size.

Can skincare permanently shrink pores? Pore size is mostly genetic. Ingredients like retinoids and niacinamide can improve appearance over time but cannot permanently shrink pores.

What ingredient is best for clogged pores? Salicylic acid is widely considered the most effective because it penetrates oil and cleans inside the pore lining.