Large Pores on Cheeks

What Are Large Pores on the Cheeks?

Pores are the openings of hair follicles, where oil from the sebaceous glands reaches the surface. Everyone has them, but on some faces they look larger, especially on the cheeks and nose. You cannot change the number of pores you have or permanently shrink them, but you can make them look smaller and smoother by keeping them clear, controlling shine, supporting firmness, and protecting the skin from the sun.

Why Pores Look Larger

In a review of the research, Lee and colleagues (2016) identified three main reasons pores look enlarged: high oil (sebum) output, loss of elasticity around the pore, and larger hair follicles. They also noted that hormones, recurring breakouts, and your skin care routine can affect how pores look.

• Oil. More sebum stretches the pore opening and makes it catch the light. This is why pores on the nose and central cheeks often look biggest in oily and combination skin. A 2016 review in Cutis notes that sebum output is directly related to pore size and that pore size can change with hormones (Dong and colleagues, 2016).
• Loss of firmness. With age and sun exposure, the collagen and elastin around each pore weaken. The opening sags into an oval or teardrop shape, which is why pores on the cheeks of mature skin can look larger even when the skin is not oily.
• Buildup. When dead skin cells and oil collect in the opening, the pore looks darker and wider. Surface cell turnover slows with age, so buildup becomes more common.
• Genetics. Pore size and density vary between people and ethnic groups, so some people simply have more visible pores.

Quick self-check

Look at your cheeks in daylight, without makeup. Round pores with shine around them usually point to oil. Oval or teardrop pores on drier cheeks usually point to loss of firmness. Many people over 40 have both.

The At-Home Routine for the Look of Smaller Pores

Morning

1. Gentle cleanser. Harsh, stripping cleansers can leave skin tight and shinier later.
2. Niacinamide serum for shine control and an even look.
3. Light, oil-free moisturizer.
4. Broad-spectrum sunscreen. Sun breaks down the collagen that holds pores tight.

Evening

1. Cleanse thoroughly to remove sunscreen and makeup.
2. Retinol two or three nights a week at first, building up as your skin is comfortable.
3. Exfoliate one to three times a week on non-retinol nights, with salicylic acid for oily skin or lactic acid for drier skin.
4. Clay mask once a week on oily areas.

Ingredients That Help

Retinol

Retinoids are the most studied ingredients for the look of aging, sun-exposed skin, which includes pores that have lost firmness. The Cutis review describes a 24-week, double-blind study of 568 people with sun-related aging in which a prescription retinoid improved pore appearance by at least one grade in 42% of users versus 20% on placebo (Dong and colleagues, 2016). Over-the-counter retinol is gentler than prescription retinoids; in a 24-week study, 0.4% retinol improved fine wrinkling and increased procollagen in aged skin (Kafi and colleagues, 2007).

Niacinamide

Draelos and colleagues (2006) tested 2% niacinamide on facial oil: they found a lower sebum excretion rate after 2 and 4 weeks in a Japanese group, and lower casual sebum levels after 6 weeks in a Caucasian split-face group. Less oil means pores look less stretched and shiny.

Salicylic acid

Salicylic acid is oil-soluble, so it can work inside the oily pore lining and loosen buildup. It is a good weekly or every-other-day exfoliant for oily cheeks. See our salicylic acid guide.

Clay

Clay masks absorb surface oil, so pores look cleaner and less shiny right after rinsing. The effect is temporary but useful before an event.

Pore Myths

• Steam and ice are not pore shrinkers. Warmth softens buildup so it rinses away more easily, and cold briefly makes skin look tighter, but neither has been shown to change pore size.
• Scrubbing harder does not shrink pores. Over-scrubbing irritates skin and can make it look rougher.
• Pore strips are a short-term fix. They lift the top of the buildup, which then builds up again.

Realistic Timelines

• Same day: cleansing, clay, and exfoliation make pores look clearer.
• 2 to 6 weeks: the niacinamide study measured less oil at 2, 4, and 6 weeks.
• 3 to 6 months: retinoid studies measured changes over about 24 weeks.

How to Choose Products for Large Pores

• Oily, round pores: focus on oil control, with niacinamide, salicylic acid, and clay.
• Oval pores on mature cheeks: focus on firmness, with retinol, peptides, and daily sunscreen.
• Choose non-comedogenic textures: gels and light lotions rather than heavy oils on the cheeks.
• Sensitive skin: patch test on the inner arm for 24 hours, start with the lowest recommended rate, and introduce one active at a time. The 2.5% retinol products are not for sensitive skin.

Products in This Collection

The 2.5% Retinol Serum is an ultra-light gel for the look of smoother texture, firmer skin, and refined pores on the face, neck, and chest. It has a 2.5% retinol concentration, so start with two or three nights a week, follow with moisturizer, and wear sunscreen every morning. It is not for sensitive skin. For the full story on oily, congested cheeks, read our guide to congested pores on the cheeks, and see what to expect week by week in retinol before and after for pores.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are my pores so big on my cheeks?

Cheek pores usually look larger for one of two reasons: extra oil stretching the opening, or loss of firmness around the pore with age and sun. Buildup of dead skin and oil makes them look darker and wider. Genetics also play a part.

Can you shrink pores permanently?

No product can permanently change pore size. You can make pores look smaller by keeping them clear, controlling oil, and supporting firmness with retinol and sunscreen. Results last as long as you keep up the routine.

Does retinol shrink pores?

Retinol does not change how many pores you have, but it can make them look smaller by smoothing texture, keeping pores clearer, and supporting firmness. In a 24-week study, a prescription retinoid improved pore appearance in 42% of users versus 20% on placebo.

Does niacinamide help with pores?

Yes, for the look of pores linked to oil. In a study, 2% niacinamide lowered facial sebum within 2 to 6 weeks, and less oil makes pores look less stretched and shiny.

Do pores get bigger with age?

Many people notice larger-looking pores with age, especially on the cheeks. Skin loses collagen and elasticity around each pore, so the opening sags and looks wider, even if oil production drops.

Does cold water close pores?

Not in a lasting way. Cold water can make skin look briefly tighter, and warm water can soften buildup, but neither has been shown to change pore size. Oil control, exfoliation, and retinol do more.

Sources

• Lee SJ, Seok J, Jeong SY, Park KY, Li K, Seo SJ. Facial pores: definition, causes, and treatment options. Dermatologic Surgery. 2016;42(3):277-285. PubMed 26918966
• Dong J, Lanoue J, Goldenberg G. Enlarged facial pores: an update on treatments. Cutis. 2016;98(1):33-36. Cutis article
• Draelos ZD, Matsubara A, Smiles K. The effect of 2% niacinamide on facial sebum production. Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy. 2006;8(2):96-101. PubMed 16766489
• Kafi R, Kwak HS, Schumacher WE, et al. Improvement of naturally aged skin with vitamin A (retinol). Archives of Dermatology. 2007;143(5):606-612. doi:10.1001/archderm.143.5.606

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

About the Author
Written by Kari Thomas, cosmetic formulator and founder of Skin Perfection.