How to Shrink Pores: Dermatologist-Backed Tips for Smoother Skin
Large pores are a common concern, especially on the face, nose, and cheeks where oil glands are most active and skin imperfections are more visible to the eye.
As a dermatologist in Miami, I frequently get asked how to reduce the look of pores, so let’s explore effective, evidence-based solutions to help make pores look smaller and less prominent.
Pores are tiny openings in your skin that connect to oil glands and hair follicles, helping with sweat release, oil secretion, and natural exfoliation through the expelling of dead skin cells.
Although pores exist across your entire body, they’re particularly noticeable in oil-rich zones like the forehead, chin, and especially the nose and cheeks.
While many believe pores can open and close like doors, they don’t actually possess muscles—they only appear to contract or dilate depending on surrounding skin conditions.
Several triggers cause pores to appear larger, including excessive oil production, dead skin cell buildup, UV damage, and the natural loss of skin collagen as you age.
There are numerous ways to reduce the visibility of pores, from topical skin care treatments and lifestyle changes to dermatologist-performed procedures.
Though you can’t physically shrink the true diameter of a pore, you can absolutely minimize its appearance and tighten the surrounding skin for a smoother texture.
Let’s explore 10 dermatologist-recommended strategies that work:
Use salicylic acid to clean clogged pores, as it’s oil-soluble and penetrates deep to dissolve trapped dirt, oil, and dead skin cells.
Apply antioxidants like niacinamide or vitamin C to brighten the appearance of clogged pores and neutralize free radicals that cause skin damage.
Boost skin hydration with humectants such as hyaluronic acid or glycerin to plump surrounding skin and reduce the appearance of deep pores.
Increase collagen levels around pores with retinoids and peptides, which stimulate fibroblasts to produce firmer, more elastic skin structure.
Use skin tightening devices like radiofrequency or ultrasound to shrink sagging collagen around pores and lift the surrounding tissues naturally.
Inject dermal fillers like SkinVive to thicken the skin around pores, improving surface texture and reducing the depth and width of visible pore openings.
Reduce oil production with topical retinoids, prescription creams like Winlevi, or oral anti-androgens such as spironolactone for hormonal support.
Rinse with cold water or use cooling devices like ice rollers to constrict blood vessels and temporarily tighten tissues around pores.
Schedule HydraFacial treatments for deep pore cleansing, exfoliation, extraction, and hydration in one go, leaving your skin cleaner and smoother.
Visit a medical aesthetician for manual extractions to safely remove stubborn blackheads and clogged pores using sterile tools and expert techniques.
Using the wrong products for your Baumann Skin Type may worsen clogged pores, so consider taking the Baumann Skin Type Quiz to customize your routine.
The best pore minimizer products include cleansers, toners, serums, prescription creams, exfoliants, and specific skincare devices for extraction or tightening.
One of the most effective pore-reducing prescription options is Winlevi (clascoterone), which blocks testosterone in the skin and works well for all genders.
Salicylic acid cleansers like NoLIO are excellent for oily skin types and help dissolve pore blockages by deeply penetrating the skin’s oil-rich channels.
Shea Terra Rose Hips & Black Soap Deep Pore Wash is a favorite among oily skin users but may be too harsh for dry or rosacea-prone skin due to its potency.
Murad Daily Clarifying Peel combines retinol and AHAs to exfoliate and refine skin—ideal for sensitive skin 3x a week or nightly for more resilient skin types.
Vichy Mineral Pore Purifying Clay Mask is great for oily skin and can be paired with other treatments to draw out impurities and reduce surface oil.
Retinoids remain one of the best long-term solutions for pore reduction; start with a low strength and gradually increase to avoid irritation and improve efficacy.
Tightening pores involves multiple strategies: boosting collagen, reducing sebum, using astringents, hydrating with humectants, and applying cold therapy.
Keep a jade roller or ice roller in the fridge and use it daily to shrink pores quickly by reducing blood flow and tightening skin through temperature change.
This method works best after cleansing with a salicylic acid cleanser or toner to ensure skin is clear before applying the cold tool to T-zone and cheeks.
Astringents like witch hazel, alcohol, and sage extract temporarily tighten skin and are found in toners made specifically for reducing pore appearance.
While BHAs like salicylic acid are better at penetrating and decongesting oily pores, AHAs like glycolic acid can help with surface exfoliation for dry skin.
Look for pore-minimizing toners formulated for your skin type—avoid overly drying options if your skin is sensitive or prone to flaking and redness.
Sebum-reducing options include oral medications like Accutane or spironolactone, which target oil production directly from the sebaceous glands.
Accutane may offer semi-permanent reduction in pore size, but due to potential side effects, many dermatologists prefer topical options like retinoids or Winlevi.
Winlevi offers a great alternative for people who want the oil-control benefits of spironolactone without systemic side effects, making it ideal for daily use.
Combining a prescription retinoid with Winlevi can deliver remarkable improvements in pore size, texture, and overall oil control within a few months.
In addition to skincare, there are tools for at-home use that temporarily minimize pore visibility through cleansing, stimulation, or surface smoothing.
Dermarollers use microneedles to stimulate collagen by creating controlled injuries that promote healing and skin firming when used with proper hygiene.
Pore vacuums suck out impurities like oil, blackheads, and dead skin cells, providing instant clarity and a smoother pore appearance.
Facial massage tools increase circulation and drain lymphatic fluid, reducing puffiness and improving skin tone, which helps reduce visible pore size.
Ice rollers provide short-term tightening by cooling the skin and constricting vessels, leading to reduced inflammation and a more refined surface texture.
Pore strips can pull out debris from the nose and other congested areas but should be used sparingly to avoid damaging sensitive skin.
Consistency is crucial when using any at-home tool—while they offer temporary benefits, regular use supports longer-term skin health and reduced congestion.
If clogged pores persist or are severe, professional cosmetic procedures may offer more advanced and longer-lasting solutions tailored to your skin type.
Botulinum toxin injections have shown potential to reduce oiliness and shrink pores indirectly by inhibiting sebaceous gland activity near the surface.
Though not FDA-approved for this use, research has shown promising results in patients with oily skin or visibly enlarged pores seeking smoother skin.
Chemical peels exfoliate skin and stimulate collagen formation, leading to tighter skin and refined pores—AHAs like glycolic acid are commonly used.
Dermal fillers like Sculptra or SkinVive help plump the skin, smooth out indentations, and compress pores for a soft-focus, smooth skin texture.
SkinVive uses hyaluronic acid to add hydration and structure, compressing pore openings and improving elasticity with immediate and longer-term benefits.
It hydrates, fills, lubricates skin layers, and mildly stimulates collagen production, with results lasting 6-12 months depending on metabolism and treatment.
Sculptra stimulates fibroblasts to produce collagen over time, thickening the skin’s structural matrix and tightening pores from within the dermis.
With treatments spaced over several months, Sculptra offers one of the longest-lasting pore-minimizing effects—results can persist up to two years.
Hydrafacial treatments use vacuum suction and hydrating serums to cleanse, exfoliate, extract, and nourish the skin, instantly refining pore appearance.
These facials are gentle, suitable for most skin types, and especially effective when done monthly for maintaining clean, hydrated, and glowing skin.
IPL photofacials use high-intensity light pulses to reduce pigmentation, tighten skin, and improve pore appearance by stimulating collagen production.
A course of 4-6 treatments spaced 3-4 weeks apart offers visible improvement in skin tone, pore size, and redness, especially for lighter skin types.
Laser treatments like Fraxel are better than CO2 lasers for pores, offering resurfacing benefits without the risk of making pores appear larger afterward.
Vascular lasers like VBeam promote collagen renewal by using heat to stimulate tissue repair, resulting in tighter pores and firmer skin over time.
Microneedling uses a fine-needle device to create tiny punctures that trigger new collagen production and elastin regeneration for tighter, smoother skin.
With each session, skin becomes firmer and pores become less visible as collagen builds, especially when combined with pore-penetrating topical serums.
PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) treatments inject your own platelets into the skin, stimulating natural collagen renewal for firmer, tighter pores.
PRP contains growth factors that help repair and rebuild the skin structure, offering gradual pore reduction with repeated monthly sessions.
Topical products with platelet-derived exosomes mimic PRP effects, helping refine texture and support pore-tightening benefits without injections.
Understanding the anatomy of a pore reveals why treatments work: the pore mouth, canal, sebaceous gland, and follicle all contribute to how it appears.
Preventing pore enlargement is key—avoid comedogenic products, over-exfoliation, and stress, and wash your face twice a day with suitable products.
Hydration and consistent skincare matter—well-hydrated skin swells slightly, tightening pore rims and preventing sebum from stretching the openings.
Pores appear to change in size due to oil production, blood flow, dead skin buildup, hydration, and environmental temperature, not actual muscle movement.
While pores can’t be permanently closed, you can optimize their appearance through good skincare, healthy habits, and occasional professional treatments.
Closing pores permanently is not possible nor recommended, as pores are essential for oil secretion, sweating, dead skin shedding, and even hair growth.
Think of pores as skin’s breathing channels—they may be shrunk visually, but they need to remain open to maintain skin’s natural, balanced functioning.
With the right approach, even large pores can be managed, minimized, and made nearly invisible through a combination of science-backed skincare and consistency.
