Skin Conditions
Large pores – understand them, manage them, stop hating them
Pores aren't enemies. They're necessary structures that release oil and sweat. But when they enlarge, clog, and become more visible than you'd like, they can become a source of frustration. The solution starts with understanding why they look the way they do.
Why do pores become visible?
Pore size is largely determined by genetics – no product can permanently shrink them. But what makes pores visible isn't just their actual size but what happens in and around them.
Overproduction of oil stretches the pore channels. Accumulation of dead skin cells, makeup, and pollutants clogs and widens them. With age, collagen and elastin in the skin around pores decrease, causing them to lose support and appear larger – like a hole in a cushion that's lost its stuffing.
Sun damage accelerates collagen breakdown and makes pores visible prematurely. Inflammation, as in acne or irritation, permanently damages tissue around pores. Many try to solve the problem with aggressive astringents and stripping cleansers that temporarily tighten skin but actually trigger more oil production – and pores look even larger the next day.
Smart strategies for visible pores
Cleanse thoroughly but gently
Dirt, makeup, and oil in pores make them more visible. Cleanse every evening with a mild oil-based cleanser that dissolves rather than forces out – your skin shouldn't feel stripped afterward.
Wear sunscreen daily
UV radiation breaks down the collagen supporting pores. Without sunscreen, you accelerate the process making pores permanently more visible. SPF 30+ every day, no exceptions.
Avoid heavy makeup in pore-prone zones
Foundation and primer fill pores and paradoxically make them more visible when makeup settles. Lighter formulations or just skincare in the T-zone can be more flattering.
Exfoliate regularly but gently
BHA (salicylic acid) is oil-soluble and can clean inside pores. Once or twice a week at low concentration helps cell turnover without irritating.
Balance the oil – minimize pore visibility
Pore visibility is largely controlled by oil production and inflammation – two processes regulated by the endocannabinoid system. CBD has sebostatic properties, meaning it helps the skin produce just the right amount of oil instead of too much.
The DUO-kit with The ONE and I LOVE delivers CBD that balances sebaceous glands and CBG that dampens the inflammation widening pores from within. The result is pores that gradually appear smaller – not because they're shrunk, but because they stop being stretched.
Au Naturel Makeup Remover cleanses pores with MCT oil without disrupting the barrier. TA-DA Serum with concentrated CBG can be applied directly in pore-prone zones like the nose and cheeks for extra effect. A strategy built on understanding – not illusions.
Products we recommend
Save €34DUO kit
Two face oils, one for morning and one for evening. Simple skincare that works with your skin, not against it.
Au Naturel Makeup Remover
A cleansing oil with MCT and CBD that removes makeup and buildup without stripping your skin bare.
TA-DA Serum
A CBG-powered serum that seals in moisture and adds glow, whatever the season.
Frequently asked questions
Can you really reduce pores?
You can't permanently shrink pores, but you can minimize their visibility dramatically. By balancing oil production, keeping them clean, and protecting the collagen around them, they appear significantly smaller.
Do oils make pores larger?
No, that's a common myth. The right oils – like CBD oil – actually balance oil production and can make pores less visible. The problem is mineral oil and comedogenic oils, not oils in general.
How quickly will I see results?
Pore visibility can decrease within 2–3 weeks as oil production balances out. The collagen protection that makes pores more visible with age takes longer to address – think of it as an investment.
Does primer or pore filler help?
Temporarily yes, but they mask without treating. And many pore fillers clog pores further. We recommend focusing on skin health rather than cosmetic illusion.
Sources
- Byrd AL, Belkaid Y, Segre JA. The human skin microbiome. Nat Rev Microbiol 2018;16(3):143–155.
- Salem I, Ramser A, Isham N, Ghannoum MA. The Gut Microbiome as a Major Regulator of the Gut-Skin Axis. Front Microbiol 2018;9:1459.
- Lin TK, Zhong L, Santiago JL. Anti-Inflammatory and Skin Barrier Repair Effects of Topical Application of Some Plant Oils. Int J Mol Sci 2017;19(1):70.
Article reviewed by Christopher Genberg, founder of 1753 SKINCARE.
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