Do Pores Really Open and Close?

Things that open and close: doors, jewelry boxes, and all your favorite stores. Things that don’t: your pores.

Yes, it’s true. “People usually associate the term ‘open pores’ with pores that are visible,” Gabrielle Harrison, esthetician and owner of Sish Beauty, explains. Even if you’re talking about “opening” your pores to release any excess dirt in your skin, or “closing” them to keep dirt and oil out, the reality is they’re not actually moving at all. 

Your pores are openings on your skin that are a direct line to your glands that release sweat and oil. “Pore size is genetically determined, so [they] can’t be changed,” Harrison says. “All pores are ‘open,’ but people usually associate the term ‘open pores’ with pores that are visible. The same goes for ‘enlarged pores,’ which is used when they look visibly larger.” If your pores are filled with buildup — oil from your glands, dirt from your cosmetics, or even dry skin — they’ll look bigger until all that gunk is cleaned out.

“The misconception of pores being able to ‘open’ is likely due to the change in pore appearance that people notice after they wash their face,” Harrison notes. “Warm water can make the skin more pliable, which makes it easier to dislodge dirt and excess oil stuck in pores.” Once that dirt and oil is gone, your pores start to look smaller, even though they haven’t really changed. 

You’ll never be able to actually close (or shrink) your pores, but there are things you can do to make them appear less prominent. “Ingredients like niacinamide, glycolic acid, and green tea extract can minimize pores’ appearance by helping to control oil production, exfoliate, and remove dead skin and dirt,” Harrison says. “Treatments like microneedling and chemical peels are effective for cleaning out pores and stimulating collagen production, which will plump the skin and minimize pores’ appearance.”