What Causes Enlarged Pores and Can They Actually Be Improved?

If you have ever leaned into the mirror, spotted your pores, and wondered why they look bigger than they used to, you are far from alone. Enlarged pores are a normal part of your skin, and while you cannot close them for good, you can absolutely improve their appearance with the right care. At Derma Bliss Medical Spa, we walk through what is really going on and what actually helps.

How can Enlarged Pores Actually Be Improved?

Enlarged pores cannot be permanently closed, but their appearance can improve with consistent care. Professional treatments target the specific cause, whether that is excess oil, congestion, or collagen loss, for smoother-looking skin.

What Enlarged Pores Actually Are

Pores are simply the tiny openings in your skin that release oil and sweat, and every single person has them. They are doing an important job, so the goal is never to get rid of them entirely. That is not possible, and any product claiming otherwise is overpromising.

Pores start to look larger when they get stretched. Oil and dead skin buildup can widen the opening, and as the skin around a pore loses firmness, that opening looks more obvious. It helps to know that enlarged pores and acne scars are different. 

Scars are indentations left behind by past breakouts, while enlarged pores are stretched openings. They often need different treatments, which is why lumping them together usually leads to disappointment. The realistic goal is to reduce how visible your pores are, not erase them.

What Causes Enlarged Pores

Most enlarged pores come down to a handful of causes, and often more than one is at play at the same time.

The biggest factor is oil. If you have naturally oily skin, your sebaceous glands are larger and more active, so your pores need to be bigger to release all that oil. This is also why pores tend to look most noticeable on the nose, chin, and cheeks.

Genetics matter too. Your baseline pore size and how much oil your skin produces are largely inherited, so if larger pores run in your family, that is part of your story. Then there is aging. As we get older, collagen breaks down and skin loses the firmness that once kept pores taut, so they begin to look wider. 

Sun exposure speeds this up by weakening the skin’s structure. Finally, everyday clogging from oil, dead skin, and debris gradually stretches the pore, and once it’s stretched and left unmanaged, it can stay that way. All of this contributes to uneven skin texture that feels frustrating no matter how much makeup you layer on.

Can Enlarged Pores Really Be Improved?

Yes, their appearance can improve meaningfully, but no, they cannot be permanently shrunk or closed. Both are true, and understanding that protects you from wasting money on false promises.

With consistent care, pores can look noticeably smaller, and skin can feel smoother. What you can realistically expect depends on a few things: the cause behind your pores, your skin type, and how consistent you are. Someone whose pores are oil-driven will respond differently than someone whose pores look larger because of collagen loss. 

Results also build over time rather than appearing overnight, so patience pays off. If a product or treatment promises to “get rid of large pores” forever, treat that as a red flag. Skin texture improvement is very achievable. Permanent pore removal is not.

At-Home Habits That Reduce Pore Appearance

Good daily habits are the foundation, and they make every professional treatment work better. Start with gentle cleansing twice a day using a non-comedogenic cleanser, which simply means it will not clog your pores. Warm water is kinder to your skin than hot, and scrubbing hard does more harm than good.

Just as important is daily broad-spectrum SPF. Sun protection preserves the collagen that keeps your pores taut, so it is one of the most effective long-term habits you have. And please, resist the urge to scrub aggressively, pick, or squeeze. That inflames the skin and can make pores look bigger, not smaller.

Professional Treatments for Enlarged Pores

When home care needs backup, in-office professional treatments can go further by targeting the specific cause. If congestion is your main issue, a deep-cleansing facial helps. At Derma Bliss Medical Spa, several facial services address different sides of the problem.

• Our Detox Facial offers a pore-detoxifying session that reduces excess oil & clears buildup with extractions, making pores look less noticeable right away. 
• The HydroFacial takes a full approach in one session, combining deep cleansing, exfoliation, gentle extraction, and hydration using vortex technology.
• For surface texture, exfoliating treatments smooth things out. Microdermabrasion in Chicago, IL, at Derma Bliss uses fine crystals to remove the outermost layer of dead skin, refine pores, and even tone for smoother skin texture. 
• Dermaplaning is another gentle option that lifts away dead skin and peach fuzz for immediate radiance.
• The Customized Facial is tailored to your unique skin needs. This 35-minute session features a complete skin analysis followed by a soothing blend of cleansing, purifying steam, extractions, exfoliation, & a masque. Perfect for all skin types, this gentle & relaxing treatment leaves your skin refreshed and radiant.

How to Choose the Right Approach for Your Skin

The right treatment depends entirely on why your pores look enlarged. Oil-driven pores respond best to congestion-focused care like detox facials and regular exfoliation, while pores tied to aging and lost firmness benefit more from collagen-building treatments. Skin type also matters, and not every treatment suits every skin tone, which is why a professional assessment is so valuable.

The simplest way to know what your skin actually needs is a personalized skin analysis. Our specialists at Derma Bliss Medical Spa can identify the true cause, recommend a realistic plan, and set honest expectations around timelines and maintenance, since results build gradually and need upkeep to last.

Common Questions About Enlarged Pores

• Can you close pores permanently? No. Pores cannot be permanently closed, but consistent care and the right treatments can visibly reduce their appearance.
• Does drinking water shrink pores? Staying hydrated supports overall skin health, but drinking water alone does not shrink pores or change their size.
• Do pore strips actually work? Pore strips remove surface debris and can help temporarily, but they do not reduce pore size and may irritate skin if overused.

Glow Up Your Skin 

At Derma Bliss Medical Spa in Chicago, IL, we help you understand your skin and care for it honestly. From detox facials to microdermabrasion, our team creates a plan built around your goals. Reveal Healthier, More Refined-Looking Skin Today!