How To Improve Your Pore Size Appearance

Let’s rip the plaster off quickly. You cannot permanently shrink your pores. You can’t tighten them. You can’t close them. Pores are not doors. And no toner or viral TikTok trick is going to make them disappear. I know that’s not the magical answer you wanted, but it is the truth.

Pores are the tiny openings around your hair follicles. They release sweat and sebum. Without them, your skin wouldn’t be able to regulate oil or temperature. They’re completely normal. Everyone has them. And yes, some people have larger ones than others. Genetics, skin type, hormones and age all play a role in how visible they are.

So what can you do?

You can’t shrink them, but you can clean them out, support your skin’s structure and smooth the surrounding area so they look smaller. Think of it like this, if a pore is full of old oil, dead skin or makeup, it stretches out and becomes more visible. Clear it out, support the skin around it, and suddenly everything looks tighter, cleaner and more refined.

Here’s how I tackle visible pores in clinic and at home:

1. Start with proper cleansing

Your cleanser matters more than you think. If your skin still feels sticky with product after you wash it, it probably hasn’t done enough. I often recommend the Revision Papaya Enzyme Cleanser for a gentle exfoliating cleanse that won’t strip the barrier but will help keep those pores from becoming congested.

Remember, we don't want the skin to feel stripped, tight or dry. That is not good. We just want it to feel fresh and clean.

Revision Papaya Enzyme Cleanser

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2. Exfoliate gently and consistently

Pore build-up is mostly from dead skin and oil that hasn’t been cleared properly. Enter peel pads. The SkinBetter AlphaRet Peel Pads give you that baby-soft glow while also keeping pores from clogging. Use up to twice a week depending on your skin type.

Alternatively, Nimue's Exfoliating Enzyme is always a firm favourite in my clinic. Great for all skins (especially sensitive skin types) or if you're going in the sun. Click here to order.

3. Add a retinoid

Retinoids regulate oil production and encourage faster cell turnover, which means fewer clogged pores and a smoother surface. SkinBetter AlphaRet Overnight Cream is a favourite for this. It’s potent, but gentle enough for sensitive skin and delivers noticeable changes in skin tone, texture and pore visibility.

Nimue has also released the Retinal Power+ Serum which again is another type of topical vitamin A product that doesn't give a retinoid reaction and so is safe for the most sensitive skins too.  

Click here to order.

4. Consider stem cell technology

One of the lesser-known benefits of stem cell products like Calecim Multi-Action Cream is their ability to support the skin’s natural repair processes. Strengthening the skin around the pores can help tighten everything up visually and reduce that stretched appearance. Calecim is always a firm favourite in my clinic and this is another reason why.

MULTI ACTION CREAM

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5. Stay hydrated, inside and out

When your skin is well hydrated, everything looks plumper and smoother. Dehydrated skin tends to exaggerate texture, which makes pores look even larger. Skinade is my go-to for internal hydration and collagen support, and a good hyaluronic acid-based

Skinade

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6. SPF is non-negotiable

Sun damage breaks down collagen, which is the scaffolding that holds your pores nice and tight. The more damage, the looser and wider those pores appear. Wear SPF every single day. I recommend Nimue SPF 40 for a lightweight option or Nimue Environmental Shield SPF 50 if you want more protection (including blue light and infra red). Both sit beautifully under makeup. Click here to order.

I hate to say that you cannot shrink your pores. But you can absolutely improve their appearance. As always it takes consistency, good skincare, and you can't expect to see poreless skin. Because real skin has pores. What we want is for them to be clear and healthy.

If you're unsure where to begin or you’ve tried every pore strip under the sun, book a free Skin Check-In with me and I’ll help you build a skincare plan that actually works.

Thank you so much for reading,

Emmaline