Blog post title Why Do Pores Seem to Get Bigger As You Get Older?

As we get older, the underlying structure of our skin weakens, which leads to a loss of firmness and elasticity. As your skin relaxes, your pores—the openings at the surface of skin—come more into focus.

“Collagen and elastin loss over the years reduces the substructure of the skin, which leads to imperfections such as pores becoming more noticeable,” says Michael Krathen, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist in Natick, Massachusetts, and Chief Medical Adviser for Cottonball.

In addition, “many people develop excess oil gland production as they get older, which makes pores seem more prominent,” says Dr. Krathen. Pores are holes, after all, so when those holes fill up with excess oil or other substances like dead skin cells, they stretch open and look larger.

But there’s no reason for you, or your pores, to get bent out of shape. Remember, no one scrutinizes your face as closely as you do, so first things first: Step away from the magnifying mirror. And don’t bother Googling how to shrink pores naturally, reduce pore size, or close pores permanently. It’s not possible. Instead, follow the advice here to treat large pores so they’re (practically) out of sight, out of mind.

Large-Pore Fix #1: Use a gentle face cleanser

Besides the obvious benefit of washing your face twice a day to keep pores clear of oil and debris, cleansing the skin helps remove potential irritants. When skin is inflamed, pores can appear bigger due to dilated blood vessels.

Choose a gentle, noncomedogenic cleanser, and try this test to make sure it’s not drying to your skin. Wait a minute or two after washing your face and patting it dry before applying any skincare products. If your skins feel tight or dry post-wash, you need a more hydrating cleanser. Otherwise, you’ll be stripping your skin every time you wash your face, which could send skin’s oil production into overdrive and end up clogging pores.

Large-Pore Fix #2: Add retinoids and niacinamide to your skincare routine

There are numerous reasons why dermatologists, including Dr. Krathen, hail retinoids as the gold-standard anti-aging ingredient that will also shrink pore visibility. The vitamin A derivative increases collagen production, which helps firm and smooth the skin. It also regulates skin’s natural exfoliation process to clear clogged pores and to prevent dead cells from building up and settling inside.

Cottonball VX.1 Advanced Anti-Aging & Repair Complex and VX.2 Wrinkle-Smoothing & Prevention Complex each deliver tretinoin, a prescription-strength retinoid, in a customized dose for your skin’s specific needs.

Both formulas may be personalized to include niacinamide, a vitamin B3 derivative and antioxidant that’s been shown to reduce oil production, calm inflammation, and minimize the look of pores and skin unevenness after 8 weeks of using 4% niacinamide. (Cottonball’s VX.1 and VX.2 formulas contain a range of niacinamide up to 4%.)

Large-Pore Fix #3: Keep skin well-moisturized

When your skin is dry, not only can the lack of moisture trigger your oil glands to produce too much sebum, but dry skin also tends to have more buildup of dead cells.

And guess where all that excess oil and dead skin gathers? They're having a party inside your pores—no wonder they seem more prominent. So don’t skimp on moisturizer, but also be careful selecting the formula: Anything that’s too rich or heavy for your skin type could backfire and end up clogging pores. (With Cottonball's personalized blends, this isn't something you have to worry about.)

Large-Pore Fix #4: Be diligent about daily SPF

Everything the sun does to your skin makes pores look bigger. “UV rays break down collagen and elastin, causing sagging and loss of elasticity, and they increase inflammation,” says Dr. Krathen. That’s in addition to sun damage directly contributing to wrinkles, dark spots, and other unwelcome signs of skin aging.

Choose a daily moisturizer or face sunscreen with broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher. And if you tend to break out, look for a formula designed for acne-prone skin to help prevent clogged pores.

Large-Pore Fix #5: Exfoliate regularly

Think of skin gunk like house junk: It needs to be purged. That's where exfoliation comes in. Gentle, regular sloughing will help minimize the look of pores over time by preventing dead skin cells from accumulating in, and thereby stretching out, pores. Plus, it helps smooth and brighten skin overall.

If you’re not using a retinoid product, add another type of exfoliant to your skincare routine. There are two key routes: manually or chemically. It's really a choice of personal preference, as both will get the job done.

Manual exfoliants like face scrubs, a sonic cleansing brush, or a soft washcloth will whisk away dead cells from the surface of skin. Just use a light touch and let the product do the sloughing so you don’t irritate skin.

Skincare that contains chemical exfoliants such as glycolic acid, salicylic acid, and lactic acid will dissolve dead cells and help clear pores. Look for a formula designed for sensitive skin to reduce any chance of irritation.

“The acid or acids can be in a cleanser, a pad, or a leave-on product such as an at-home peel,” says Dr. Krathen.

Don’t use acids on the same night as a retinoid or retinol product as the combination is too harsh. And with any exfoliant, ease into it by trying it just once or twice a week at first, then gradually increase usage if your skin tolerates it.

Large-Pore Fix #6: See a dermatologist for persistent pore issues

Reality check: Topical skincare can only do so much. If enlarged pores are really bothering you or acne scars have left divots in your skin, talk to a cosmetic dermatologist to discuss professional treatments like lasers and peels. For frequent breakouts, a dermatologist can also help get acne under control so it doesn’t damage your pores. (Then you can pick back up with the topicals.)

In the end, we all have pores—it's part of being human. Social media filters and airbrushed photo shoots can make people's skin look literally poreless. But that's not reality (nor would it be healthy!). With a few smart skincare habits, you can keep your pores in check and focus on your smooth, radiant results.

Is Cottonball VX.1 Advanced Anti-Aging & Repair Complex or VX.2 Wrinkle-Smoothing & Prevention Complex right for you? Take this short quiz to find out.