Large pores are one of those skin concerns that can feel impossible to ignore once you notice them. They tend to show up in certain lighting, in photos, or right when you’re standing a little too close to the mirror.
They’re extremely common and completely normal. While pores can’t be erased, there are effective ways to make them look less noticeable and support smoother-looking skin over time.
Enlarged or visible pore openings
Nose, cheeks, chin, forehead
Refined, smoother-looking skin texture
What Are Large Pores?
Pores are small openings in the skin that allow oil and sweat to reach the surface. Everyone has them, and they play an important role in keeping skin healthy. It is impossible to remove pores — they’re a necessary part of skin function.
Pores can appear larger when they become stretched or more visible, often due to oil buildup, reduced skin elasticity, or changes in skin structure.
Why pores become more prominent: Pores become more visible as we age because the skin loses collagen and elastin that supports the pore opening. Without that structural support, pores appear larger and more open.
Other factors:
Large pores are most commonly noticed on the nose, cheeks, chin, and forehead — areas where oil production tends to be highest.
Why Pores Appear Larger
Several factors can contribute to the appearance of large pores.
Excess oil production — When sebaceous glands produce more oil, pores can become stretched and more visible. Oil buildup can also make pores appear darker or more prominent.
Loss of collagen and elastin — As skin loses firmness over time, the structural support around pore openings weakens, making them appear larger and more open.
Sun damage — Sun exposure speeds up the aging process by destroying collagen and elastin that support pore openings. This is one of the most preventable causes of enlarged pores.
Genetics — Some people are naturally predisposed to larger pores based on their skin type and family history.
Clogged pores or buildup — When pores become clogged with oil, dead skin cells, and debris, they can stretch and appear larger.
Age — Pore size tends to increase with age as skin loses elasticity and firmness.
This is why large pores often appear alongside concerns like fine lines and wrinkles or changes related to skin texture.
How to Prevent Large Pores
While you can’t eliminate pores, certain habits can help prevent them from becoming more prominent over time.
Cleansing (not scrubbing) — Gentle, consistent cleansing may help reduce the appearance of pores. Cleansers containing salicylic acid or glycolic acid in your daily skincare routine can help keep pores clear and may benefit pore size over time.
Sun avoidance — Sun exposure speeds up the aging process by destroying collagen and elastin that support pore openings. Protect your skin by wearing a broad-brimmed hat and avoiding sun exposure from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM when UV rays are strongest.
Daily sunscreen — Using a good sunblock like EltaMD daily will help prevent the breakdown of collagen and elastin. EltaMD offers sunblocks specifically formulated for patients with oily skin, so sun protection doesn’t have to mean clogged pores.
Consistent skincare — Maintaining a regular routine that includes exfoliation and oil control helps prevent buildup that can stretch pores.
How Large Pores Can Affect Appearance
Large pores don’t cause discomfort, but they can affect how smooth the skin looks.
Patients often mention that pores:
These concerns are very common. Improving the appearance of pores is about strengthening and smoothing the skin — not closing pores entirely, which isn’t possible.
What to Expect During a Consultation
A consultation at Lazaderm is focused on education and long-term skin health.
During your visit, your provider will:
You’ll leave with a plan designed to support smoother, healthier-looking skin over time.
Setting Realistic Expectations
Treatments for large pores can improve appearance, but pores will always be part of your skin.
What to understand:
The goal is refined, balanced-looking skin — not perfection.
The most effective treatments focus on improving skin quality, texture, and collagen support. A consultation allows your provider to evaluate what’s contributing most to the appearance of your pores and recommend appropriate options.
Medical-grade topical products can help improve pore appearance when used consistently.
Vitamin A derivatives:
These ingredients are beneficial for exfoliating the skin, promoting cell turnover, and helping to keep pores clear. They also stimulate collagen production, which supports the skin structure around pores.
Other helpful ingredients:
Your provider can recommend specific medical-grade products suited to your skin type.
Chemical peels can improve pore appearance by promoting exfoliation and cell turnover.
How they work: Peels remove the outer layers of dead skin cells and buildup, helping to clear pores and smooth skin texture.
Results: Chemical peels vary in strength, but when performed on a regular basis, you will see improvement in the size and appearance of your pores.
Best for:
Regular peels as part of an ongoing skincare plan provide the best results.
Microdermabrasion can help shrink the appearance of pores through mechanical exfoliation.
How it works: This treatment uses fine crystals or a diamond tip to gently remove the outer layer of dead skin cells, smoothing texture and reducing pore visibility.
Important to know: Microdermabrasion must be completed regularly to maintain results. It works best as part of an ongoing skincare maintenance plan rather than a one-time treatment.
Best for:
The Halo laser by Sciton has been shown in studies to effectively treat large pores and decrease their size.
How it works: Halo is a hybrid fractional laser that treats both the surface and deeper layers of skin. It stimulates collagen production and resurfaces the skin, improving pore appearance, texture, and overall skin quality.
Benefits for pores:
Multiple treatments may be recommended depending on your skin and goals.
Studies show that regular treatments with BBL significantly improve pore size along with skin tone and texture.
How it works: BBL (BroadBand Light) uses light energy to stimulate the skin’s natural rejuvenation processes. The Forever Young BBL protocol involves regular maintenance treatments that have been shown to improve pore appearance over time.
Benefits:
The key to BBL for pores is consistency — regular treatments as part of an ongoing maintenance plan provide the best results.
MOXI is a gentle fractional laser that can improve skin texture and refine the appearance of pores.
How it works: MOXI creates micro-channels in the skin that stimulate collagen production and promote cellular turnover. As the skin heals and new collagen forms, texture becomes smoother and pores appear less prominent.
Best for:
Often combined with BBL for comprehensive results.
Consistent skincare is essential for maintaining results and preventing pores from becoming more prominent.
Daily routine should include:
Ongoing care: Medical-grade skincare products may be recommended to help manage oil production, support exfoliation, and maintain treatment results. Sun protection is especially important — sun damage contributes to collagen breakdown that makes pores more visible.
Your provider can recommend specific products based on your skin type and concerns.
If large pores are something you’ve been noticing and want to address, a consultation can help you understand your options. At Lazaderm, consultations focus on education, safety, and helping you feel confident in your skincare decisions.
