First things first, pores are not the enemy. Everyone has them, even the people on your feed with glass skin and suspiciously perfect lighting. You can’t erase them, but you can make them look way less obvious with the right skincare.
Let’s get into it.
Why pores look “big”
Pores don’t randomly change size overnight. They just look more noticeable depending on what’s going on with your skin:
Oil overload energy
When your skin is producing more sebum, pores can look more visible because there’s more going on at the surface.
Build-up situation
Makeup, SPF, oil, pollution, stress, crumbs of life… it all adds up. When pores get congested, they stand out more.
Dry but oily confusion
If your skin is dehydrated, texture can look rougher, which makes pores appear more obvious (skin is dramatic like that).
Natural skin ageing (yes, we said it)
Less elasticity over time = pores look a bit more open. Normal, not a crisis.
Step 1: Clean your skin, but don’t go feral
If your cleanser leaves your face feeling like a squeaky balloon… we’ve got a problem.
The goal is: clean, not stripped.
A double cleanse at night is basically your pores’ best friend:
-
First cleanse: melts makeup, SPF, oil (everything that clings on for dear life)
-
Second cleanse: actually cleans your skin, not your soul
Your skin should feel fresh after, not like it’s about to file a complaint. One of our cleaning faves is SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Gentle Cleansing Oil. This is a lightweight cleansing oil designed to gently dissolve makeup, sunscreen, excess sebum, and daily buildup without stripping or irritating the skin. It’s your first-step cleanse that removes everything your skin doesn’t need, while still keeping it soft, balanced, and comfortable.
Step 2: Ingredients that help
You don’t need 12 actives. You just need the right ones.
Retinol (slow and steady)
Your texture reset ingredient. It helps your skin look smoother over time, which naturally makes pores look less obvious.
Start low, go slow, its not a race.
Niacinamide (the chill)
This is your balance ingredient. Helps with oil control, skin tone, and overall “I woke up like this” energy.
Centella Asiatica (calm energy)
If your skin gets irritated easily, Centella is emotional support in ingredient form. It helps keep things calm, especially when your skin is stressed out.
Step 3: Hydration is underrated
Dry skin doesn’t mean “no oil,” it just means your skin is confused.
Well-hydrated skin = smoother looking texture = less noticeable pores.
Look for lightweight hydration, not heavy layers that feel like a face mask you forgot to take off.
Step 4: Exfoliation, but don’t overdo it
Yes, you need to remove dead skin. No, you don’t need to scrub your face like you’re polishing a car.
Over exfoliating = irritation = worse texture = pores looking more dramatic.
Think consistent and gentle, not aggressive and chaotic.
Step 5: SPF is not optional
If you’re skipping SPF, its all worth nothing.
Sun exposure affects skin elasticity over time, which can make texture and pores look more visible.
Daily SPF means your future self will than you, you just dont know it yet.
Step 6: Stop trying to do everything at once
Your skin doesn’t need a 10-step identity crisis.
A simple routine that you stick to will always beat a complicated one you give up on in 4 days.
Morning:
-
Cleanser (or just water if your skin is chill)
-
Hydration serum/ampoule
-
Moisturiser
-
SPF
Evening:
-
Oil cleanser (if SPF/makeup)
-
Gentle cleanser
-
Treatment (retinol a few nights a week)
-
Moisturiser
That’s it. No chaos.
Pores aren’t something to fix, they’re just part of having skin that works.
The goal isn’t perfection. It’s getting to that point where your skin looks smooth, balanced, and like it’s not being overworked by 14 products and emotional damage.
0 comments