If you’ve gotten up close and personal with your skin in the mirror, you’ll see that it appears to be covered with tiny dots or indentations. These are actually openings in the surface of your skin called pores or hair follicles, and they’re the exit route for oil and sweat as well as strands of hair that grow up from below.

Though large pores don’t pose a health issue—they’re important to your skin’s daily functions no matter the size—they can be a cosmetic concern if your skin looks less smooth than you like. In this blog post, we’ll address topics such as:

• Why do I have large pores?

• What causes enlarged pores

• How to reduce the appearance of large pores

Why do I have large pores, and are large pores genetic?

Just as our bodies and features come in all shapes and sizes, so do the pores on your skin. “The size, number and density of your pores is largely genetic,” says LovelySkin CEO as well as board-certified dermatologist, Mohs surgeon and cosmetic surgeon Dr. Joel Schlessinger. “So whether you have small or large pores has more to do with your family history than anything else.”

The natural process of aging, however, can cause pores to stretch over time and look more noticeable. “As collagen breaks down with age, the skin loses some of its natural elasticity. As skin sags, pores can look more apparent,” Dr. Joel Schlessinger says. “You can’t make your pores smaller, so any procedures or products that claim to shrink your pores are probably misleading.”

What else causes enlarged pores?

Though the size of your pores is genetic, there are things that can make them appear larger than they actually are. “When pores are clogged with dirt, oil or makeup, they can look enlarged,” Dr. Joel Schlessinger says. “This is because that debris is actually stretching the walls of the pore and making it look larger.”

How to reduce the appearance of large facial pores

Though you can’t reduce the size of your pores, you can make them look less noticeable by using exfoliating treatments with active ingredients such as retinol, alpha hydroxy acids and beta hydroxy acids. Blurring face primers can also help diminish the appearance of large pores and make your skin look smoother overall. Here are a few of our favorite ways to reduce the appearance of large pores and leave your skin looking softer and smoother.

Try two-step exfoliation

To help improve the appearance of large pores, a clarifying cleanser and exfoliating face treatment are a good place to start. The LovelySkin LUXE Pore Refining & Exfoliating Set features two products with afaLUXE(™), a dermatologist-developed molecule of amino-based filaggrin antioxidants, vitamin C and Dead Sea minerals.

In the LovelySkin LUXE Clarifying Gel Cleanser, afaLUXE joins forces with 2% salicylic acid and 2% glycolic acid to gently unclog pores and exfoliate skin. In the LovelySkin LUXE Acne Care Gel, a 9% concentration of afaLUXE helps remove pore-clogging dead skin cells and oil as well as stimulate collagen production to minimize signs of aging.

Add a purifying toner

Introducing a specialized toner is another way to address enlarged pores. Obagi CLENZIderm Pore Therapy helps exfoliate dead skin cells and unclog pores with 2% salicylic acid. The addition of hydrating glycerin and soothing chamomile extract ensures your skin isn’t left feeling dry or tight, and a touch of menthol gives this step in your routine a cooling tingle.

Apply a face treatment with retinol

“Because skin care products with retinol both promote cellular renewal and unclog pores, they can improve the appearance of large pores,” says LovelySkin Medical Director Dr. Daniel Schlessinger, board-certified dermatologist as well as Mohs surgeon and cosmetic surgeon. “Retinol also helps diminish fine lines and improve uneven skin tone over time, so it’s a great ingredient to address multiple skin concerns.”

Because retinol can cause dryness, redness or peeling for some people, choosing a formula that also contains skin-soothing ingredients can help guard against irritation. LovelySkin LUXE Advanced Retinol Serum contains 0.5% retinol as well as a blend of glycolipids and phospholipids to help reduce dryness and peeling.

Consider a device that targets clogged pores

DERMAFLASH Dermapore+ Ultrasonic Pore Extractor and Skincare Infuser is an ultrasonic skin device that uses ionic technology and sound waves to help extract dirt, oil and debris from your pores so they instantly appear less prominent. In a clinical study, 97% of users reported they had less oily skin and less noticeable pores after using this device.

Try an AHA treatment

Alpha hydroxy acids (AHA) such as glycolic acid, mandelic acid, lactic acid and citric acid are natural exfoliators, and they work by dissolving the “glue” (or intercellular adhesions, if you want to get technical) that holds together the skin cells in your outermost layer of skin. When this outer layer of dull, dead skin cells are swept away, smoother-looking skin is revealed underneath.

SkinCeuticals Cell Cycle Catalyst Skin Surface Renewal Serum helps renew skin with a 7.7% multi-acid complex that contains glycolic, lactic and mandelic acids. In an eight-week clinical study, users had a 13% reduction in the appearance of pores and a 21% reduction in fine lines. You can apply this facial serum once a day as part of your morning or evening skin care routine.

You can also give your skin a boost with a once-weekly exfoliating face mask. The PCA SKIN Pore Refining Treatment features mandelic acid and papaya enzymes to gently smooth rough skin texture and minimize pores, while bentonite and kaolin clay help absorb excess oil. In the Eminence Organics Mango Exfoliating Enzyme Masque, naturally occurring fruit acids (citric acid from lemon juice and malic acid from cherries) combine with mango and pineapple enzymes to help gently resurface your skin, improving both uneven tone and texture.

Smooth on a pore-minimizing primer

If you want to instantly reduce the appearance of large pores, it’s hard to beat the smoothing effects of a face primer. The bareMinerals Prime Time Face Primer Original Pore-Minimizing Primer is a velvety-smooth gel formula that helps large pores look less noticeable whether you’re using it as a base for a full face of makeup or going for a no-makeup look.

If you prefer a matte finish, jane iredale Smooth Affair Face Primer - Mattifying helps reduce shine while helping diminish the look of large pores.

For a stellar pore-blurring effect with the added bonus of sun protection, we love Revision Skincare Intellishade Tinted Moisturizer SPF 45 Matte. This tinted moisturizer helps conceal skin imperfections such as discoloration and large pores while providing broad-spectrum sun protection with 5.5% octinoxate, 3.5% octisalate, 4% titanium dioxide and 3% zinc oxide.

Are you looking to improve your skin’s texture and firmness? You can check out our picks for the ten best anti-aging body lotions on the LovelySkin Blog.