Pore Looks Like A Hole – What To Do

It can be tempting to analyze your skin with a magnifying mirror. You may notice how different your skin looks up close, or it can bring attention to specific facial areas. It can also highlight a common skincare concern for most people – enlarged pores.

Pores serve a purpose, and they’re present on your face for a reason. They’re connected to hair follicles and the sebaceous glands, and release sweat or oil.

Your skin type and genetics can impact your pores. For example, if you have oily skin, you may notice you have a pore that looks like a hole. Larger pores can indicate that you have larger sebaceous glands sitting underneath the surface.

There are a lot of myths surrounding pores. The most popular is that pores open and close or that you can shrink or erase pores. While you can’t physically change the size of a pore, you can minimize its appearance.

So, what can you do if a pore looks like a hole? First, it’s essential to establish a skincare routine that includes non-comedogenic products or incorporates a chemical exfoliant. You can also alter your diet, wear sunscreen, see a derm, etc.

So if open pores are problem you’re struggling with, don’t worry – you’re not alone! We’ll walk you through all the ways you can reduce the appearance of large pores so you can have smooth skin in no time.

What Are Pores?

Pores often appear in areas where you are the oiliest, like the t-zone. In addition, they look like tiny holes on the surface of your skin that excrete oil or sweat. However, your sebaceous glands, genetics, and skin type determine its size.

Pores can vary from person to person. Some people may have one enlarged pore that is more visible than the rest.

What Causes Enlarged Pores?

We mentioned a few reasons why you can have enlarged pores. For example, genetics play a massive role in the size of your pores, and it can’t be changed. However, some daily habits can also contribute to enhancing an enlarged pore.

Diet and skincare can also impact the appearance of your pores.

Excess Oil

If your skin is overproducing oil, it can enhance the appearance of your pores. This is because the pores allow oil and sebum to be released from the skin, and if it is too much, it may be noticeable. This is common for acne-prone or oily skin types.

Thankfully, you can use a few skincare products to regulate oil or sebum production.

Genetics

Another cause of an enlarged pore is genetics. Unfortunately, there is not much you can do to change your genetics. So, if you tend to have more visible pores on your face, you can try to reduce their appearance with skincare or lifestyle changes.

In addition, seeking help from a dermatologist can also minimize the look of pores.

Buildup

Do you apply makeup or skincare daily? What kind of environment do you live in? These factors can contribute to build-up or clogged pores. So, if you tend to skip washing your face or don’t remove your makeup properly, it can affect your pores.

Build-up can quickly enhance the look and size of your pores if it’s not cared for correctly.

Diet

Your skin will only look as good as you nourish it. Processed foods can lead to inflammation or acne, which can also lead to more visible pores. However, eating whole foods can reduce these issues and minimize the presence of pores.

Switching your diet can help a pore that looks like a hole become less noticeable. It’s also great to avoid inflammatory foods for your overall health.

Stress

Did you know stress can also impact your skin? Intense stress can potentially cause your skin to flare up. It can be as minor as enhancing a pore or as severe as an eczema breakout. Stress can also be visible on more sensitive skin types.

Managing stress can allow your skin to calm down and allow imperfections to become less visible.

Skin Type

Your skin type can also affect your pores.

For example, we mentioned that oily and acne-prone skin could struggle with larger pores. However, if your skin is overly dry, it can also enhance the appearance of pores because the skin needs to overproduce sebum.

You should apply moisturizer daily, no matter your skin type. Moisturizers can help regulate sebum production.

Neglecting Skincare

If you neglect to implement a skincare regimen for your skin, it may take a toll on your pores. For example, we mentioned that not washing the face or moisturizing can make pores look more visible.

It’s also important to exfoliate regularly and protect the skin with SPF. This will ensure dead skin is swept from the surface and the skin feels less sensitive to the sun.

How To Minimize The Appearance Of An Enlarged Pores

Unfortunately, the size of your pores can’t change. While many brands or products may claim to shrink your pores, they won’t physically change their size. However, you can reduce their appearance by creating a healthy skincare routine.

These tips won’t change the size of an enlarged pore, but they can help it become less noticeable.

Wash Your Face Twice A Day

Dust, dirt, makeup, and debris can clog the pores or increase the chance of build-up. So, it’s crucial to wash your face at least twice a day. You can even splash the face with water in the morning for a gentle pick-me-up.

Washing your face twice a day will ensure your face is clean and there is nothing to disturb your pores.

Double Cleanse At Night

Another face washing tip is to double cleanse at night! Double cleansing involves using two cleansers to wash your face thoroughly. First, you want to use an oil-based cleanser to remove makeup, sunscreen, and dirt.

Then, use a water-based cleanser to clean or treat the skin. Double cleasing will prevent build-up and clogged pores so you can reduce their appearance.

Use A BHA To Exfoliate

Incorporating a chemical exfoliant can also minimize the look of an enlarged pore. BHAs are a great choice for pores because they exfoliate from underneath the skin’s surface. However, it can increase sensitivity to the sun, so always apply SPF.

A popular BHA is Salicylic Acid. Also, it’s best to use a BHA at night to avoid sun exposure.

Apply Moisturizer

We mentioned earlier that moisturizers could help reduce the look of an enlarged pore.

If your skin lacks moisture, it will overproduce sebum, which will increase the visibility of your pores. So, a moisturizer will ensure that you can regulate oil production.

No matter how oily or acne-prone your skin may be, it still needs to be moisturized!

Wear Sunscreen Daily

Sun damage isn’t fun to heal. In addition, the sun can increase the visibility of pores and wrinkles. It can also damage your skin barrier and increase sensitivity if you use a chemical exfoliant without protection.

Wearing SPF daily will ensure your skin is protected, and your skincare will actually be able to work and show you results.

Avoid Squeezing The Skin

Popping a pimple or squeezing your pores can be tempting. It may even feel satisfying to extract gunk from your face. However, it won’t be doing your pores any favors. Instead, it can increase the appearance of pores due to irritation.

Also, squeezing your pores can increase redness or inflammation, bringing even more attention to your pores.

Address Your Diet, Environment, And Lifestyle

Diet, lifestyle, and environment can significantly impact your skin. For example, you may be prone to congestion if you live in a polluted area. Or, your skin can look dull if you eat inflammatory foods.

Your daily habits, like eating, can impact your pores. For example, if you eat skin-loving foods, you’ll notice your skin can look radiant, and pores are less noticeable.

Consult A Dermatologist

Lastly, working with a dermatologist can help your skin in the long run. For example, you may discover that chemical peels can also help reduce the visibility of enlarged pores. Or, a dermatologist may recommend products to use at home.

Regardless, you will get products and services tailored to your skin’s needs.

If you’d like to hear from a dermatologist but don’t have the time to go in for an appointment, watch this video from Doctorly explaining how to minimize the appearance of large pores.

The Takeaway

Pores serve a vital function for our skin, and they are necessary to release oil and sweat. The size of your pores can be determined by various factors like genetics and skin type. However, they can’t change in size or open and close.

Thankfully, you can reduce their visibility by creating an effective skincare routine or adjusting daily habits.