Why Do Our Pores Look Larger over the Years, and Can They Really Be Made Smaller?

We look in the mirror and notice that the pores in the nose and cheek area look larger than before.

Sometimes we try masks, products that promise to shrink pores, or products that are supposed to give the skin a completely smooth appearance.

But before trying to make them smaller, it's worth understanding what they actually are and why they're there.

What are pores?

The pores we see on the face are mainly openings of hair follicles, into which the natural oil produced by the sebaceous glands also drains.

This oil, called sebum, helps lubricate the skin's surface and support its proper function.

Every one of us has pores, and their size is affected, among other things, by genetics, by the activity of the sebaceous glands, and by the skin's structure.

Why do they look larger?

One reason is increased production of oil.

When there is more sebum and an accumulation of skin cells inside the follicle, its opening can look more prominent.

Another reason is changes in the skin's structure over the years.

As we grow older, changes occur in collagen and elastin, and the skin gradually loses part of its support and elasticity.

Cumulative sun exposure can also contribute to this process.

As a result, the pores may look wider and more prominent.

Can pores be closed?

No.

Pores are not doors that can be opened and closed with hot or cold water.

Cold water may cause a temporary feeling of tighter skin, but it doesn't change the anatomical size of the pores.

Products that promise to make them disappear completely also cannot do so.

What can be done is to reduce their prominence.

What ingredients can help?

Salicylic acid may help reduce the accumulation of oil and skin cells inside the pores.

Retinoids can improve cell turnover and help treat comedones and skin texture.

Niacinamide may contribute to improving the skin's appearance and to a certain regulation of oiliness in some people.

But it's important to use these ingredients according to skin type and sensitivity, and not to combine too many active ingredients at once.

And what about a peel?

A gentle peel can improve the skin's texture and reduce cell accumulation on the surface.

But an aggressive peel won't make the pores smaller permanently, and may cause irritation and damage to the skin barrier.

My daily recommendation

I think many of our expectations regarding the skin's appearance are created by retouched images and filters that present faces with almost no texture.

But real skin has pores.

Young skin too, healthy skin too, and skin that is well cared for too.

Our goal should not be to make every pore disappear, but to maintain healthy, clean, and protected skin.

Sometimes when we understand how the skin is really built, we stop trying to fix things that are a natural part of it.

Nurit Rozenblat

With love,
Nurit Rozenblat
OrOrgani

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