Pores are one of the most misunderstood parts of skincare. They are blamed for texture, shine, blackheads, breakouts and even ageing, but the truth is that pores are not doors you can open, close or permanently shrink on command.
What you can do is make pores look less obvious by keeping them clear, supporting healthy cell turnover and avoiding habits that make them appear stretched, congested or shadowed. Here are three common pore myths skin experts wish would finally disappear.
Misconception 1: You can permanently shrink your pores
The idea that a serum, mask or facial can physically shrink pores is one of the biggest myths in skincare. Pore size is largely influenced by genetics, oil production, skin thickness, age and sun damage. If you naturally have oilier skin, your pores may look more visible because sebaceous glands are more active.
That does not mean you are stuck with enlarged-looking pores. It means the goal should be minimising their appearance, not trying to erase them completely. Pores can look larger when they are filled with oil, dead skin cells and debris. When that build-up is managed, the skin surface often appears smoother and more refined.
Ingredients such as salicylic acid can be helpful because they are oil-soluble and can work inside the pore lining. A cleanser such as Reform Skincare's Salicylic Acid Foaming Cleanser may be useful for oily, blemish-prone or congested skin because it targets excess oil and helps keep pores clearer. For uneven texture, Reform Skincare also offers a Glycolic Acid Foaming Cleanser, which can support surface exfoliation and a brighter-looking complexion.
The key is consistency. Pores do not transform overnight, but a steady routine can make them look cleaner, tighter and less noticeable.
Misconception 2: Pores open with steam and close with cold water
This is a classic beauty myth. Pores do not have muscles, so they cannot open and close like tiny windows. Steam can soften oil and make debris easier to remove, which is why skin may feel cleaner afterwards. Cold water can temporarily reduce redness or puffiness, but it does not seal pores shut.
The risk with this myth is that people often overdo it. Very hot water, aggressive steaming and harsh scrubbing can irritate the skin barrier. When the barrier is compromised, skin may respond with redness, dehydration, sensitivity or even more oiliness, which can make pores look more obvious.
A better approach is to keep cleansing gentle but effective. If your skin is dry, sensitive or easily irritated, a hydrating cleanser may be more appropriate than strong exfoliating products every day. Reform Skincare's Gentle Hydrating Crème Cleanser is positioned for a more comforting cleanse, while its Vitamin B5 Gel is described as a fast-absorbing hydrating gel that helps restore the skin's natural barrier and leave skin feeling calm and balanced.
Healthy-looking pores start with a healthy barrier. If your skin feels tight, stings after products or looks shiny but dehydrated, step back from aggressive pore treatments and focus on hydration and repair.
Misconception 3: Scrubbing harder gives you cleaner pores
It can be tempting to attack visible pores with gritty scrubs, cleansing brushes or frequent exfoliating acids. But more exfoliation is not always better. Over-exfoliating can cause inflammation, dryness and barrier damage, which may make texture look worse rather than better.
Blackheads and sebaceous filaments are often mistaken for "dirty pores", but they are not always a hygiene problem. Sebaceous filaments are a normal part of how skin moves oil through the pore. You can reduce how visible they look, but trying to extract every tiny dot usually leads to irritation.
For long-term improvement, dermatologists often favour ingredients that support cell turnover and help prevent pores from becoming congested. Retinoids can be especially useful for texture, uneven tone and signs of ageing. Reform Skincare's Retinol 1% Crème may be relevant for people looking to improve the look of texture and ageing-related pore visibility, though retinol should usually be introduced gradually and paired with daily sun protection.
That last part matters. UV exposure can weaken collagen and elastin over time, making pores appear more pronounced as skin loses firmness. A broad-spectrum sunscreen is therefore not just an anti-ageing step; it is also part of a pore-refining routine. Reform Skincare includes options such as SPF 50+ Antioxidant Sunscreen, SPF 30 Mineral Sunscreen, SPF 50+ Tinted Sunscreen and SPF 30 Invisible Mist Spray, which can help protect the skin while supporting a consistent daily routine.
What actually helps pores look smaller?
You cannot delete pores, and you would not want to. They are a normal, necessary part of skin. But you can make them look less prominent with the right habits.
A pore-conscious routine should focus on:
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Gentle cleansing to remove excess oil, sunscreen and make-up without stripping the skin.
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Targeted exfoliation with ingredients such as salicylic acid or glycolic acid, depending on your skin type and tolerance.
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Retinoids to support smoother-looking texture and healthy cell turnover.
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Hydration and barrier care so the skin does not become tight, irritated or over-stripped.
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Daily SPF to help protect collagen and reduce the appearance of sun-related texture changes.
The best routine is not the harshest one. It is the one your skin can tolerate consistently.
You cannot permanently shrink pores, but you can absolutely improve how they look. The most effective approach is to keep pores clear, protect the skin barrier, use exfoliating ingredients wisely and wear sunscreen every day. Think of pore care less as a quick fix and more as maintenance. Clearer, calmer, well-protected skin usually makes pores look much less noticeable — no ice water, painful extractions or miracle "pore-erasing" products required.
