Visible pores are a common skin condition. It’s often caused by excessive oil production, sun damage, aging, or loss of skin elasticity. This skin issue affects people of all ages and skin types.
If you’ve ever leaned in close to the mirror to see in depth those unpleasant open pores, you’re far from alone.
Many people come to our clinic asking how to minimize large pores on their faces, and can we actually shrink them.
So, if you're thinking how to get rid of pores or can you shrink your pores, the straight answer is no. Although pores can affect the even skin texture and smooth makeup application, there isn’t a permanent solution to remove them.
However, we can make pore appear noticeably smoother over time with smart skincare, healthy lifestyle changes, and the right combination of professional treatments.
What Makes Pores Look Enlarged?
Pores always remain open as they are naturally existing microscopic openings in the skin that allow oil and sweat to reach the skin’s surface. Their real size is predetermined genetically, yet the appearance of their size depends on a number of internal and external factors.
Did you know what clogs the pores and changes their size?
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Excess oils
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Dead skin cells
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Environmental debris
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A history of acne
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Longer exposure to UV radiation
These factors play a significant role in disrupting the pores' routine function, and as this accumulation builds, it increases their visibility, making them look larger. Such congestion may be chronic over time - particularly in places such as the nose, cheeks, and T-zone.
The other significant cause is the loss of collagen and elasticity. When the skin loses its elasticity with age and suffers sun damage, the supportive structure of the pores becomes weakened. Naturally, pores appear larger and more prominent after that.
Can You Actually Shrink Your Pores?
This is one of the most common questions in skincare: Can you permanently shrink your pores?
The short, honest answer to this is no. You can’t change the physical size of your pores. Even so, they can be refined to appear significantly smaller, giving your skin a nicer, smoother look.
When you keep the pores clear, oil production stays balanced, and the surrounding skin remains healthy and firm. Pores, in return, naturally appear tighter and less noticeable.
This is why consistent care matters far more than temporary fixes or viral trends promising instant results.
The refinement of pores in the Cheeks aims to retain clean pores, control sebum, and enhance the skin's structural support, a plan that can deliver a visible effect without harming the skin barrier.
Best Practices: How to Minimize Pores Effectively
Forget about using harsh exfoliation or aggressive treatments to minimize pores. Many people damage their skin as they’re unaware of what is good for the skin and what is not.
The fact is, over-stripping the skin often causes severe damage to the skin. This includes conditions like dehydration, irritation, and increased oil production. This can worsen the condition, making the pores appear even larger.
The most effective pore-minimizing approach focuses on balance:
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Gentle exfoliation to prevent buildup
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Oil regulation without dehydration
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Treatments that improve skin firmness and texture over time
Professional guidance is key. Actives must be layered correctly and chosen based on your skin’s current condition - what Biologique Recherche refers to as your skin’s instant.
At Cheeks, every pore-minimizing strategy is customized, because what helps minimize pores for one person may trigger sensitivity or imbalance in another.
In-Clinic Treatments at Cheeks that Help Minimize Pores
Professional treatments allow for deeper exfoliation, controlled resurfacing, and collagen stimulation that home care alone cannot achieve. At Cheeks, treatments are tailored based on pore visibility, sensitivity, and long-term skin goals.
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Cheeks Signature (75 minutes) is a fully bespoke facial that may include diamond-tip dermabrasion to polish away pore-clogging dead cells, lymphatic massage to reduce congestion, oxygen infusion to boost vitality, and LED therapy to calm inflammation while refining texture.
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Cheeks Signature Enhanced / Elite builds upon the Signature experience with ultrasound and microcurrent technology to improve firmness and enhance product penetration. Biologique Recherche boosters are layered strategically to intensify retexturizing effects in pore-prone areas.
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Exion Microneedling (Fractional RF) combines microneedling with radiofrequency energy to stimulate collagen at deeper levels with minimal discomfort. Over a series of treatments, this technology tightens the appearance of enlarged pores while improving uneven texture and acne scarring.
A Cheeks-Suggested Pore-Minimizing Routine
Here’s how we personalize every routine - integrating professional care with targeted home products:
Morning Routine for Pore Refinement
We gently cleanse the skin to remove excess oil without disrupting the barrier. Then, we apply Complexe Iribiol to the areas having pores, followed by Dermopore to refine texture and control shine.
To complete the morning routine, we use a hydrating product and a broad-spectrum SPF. This protects collagen and prevents UV-related enlargement of the pores.
Evening Routine for Pore Refinement
We clean the skin thoroughly to remove makeup, sunscreen, and environmental buildup. We also schedule renewing actives to incorporate at night (provided by our Cheeks skin expert).
Sérum 3R and Elastine support overnight repair, while Masque Bain de Plantes is used one to two times weekly on congested zones.
What to Avoid to Minimize Pores
Prevention is better than cure. You should avoid harsh scrubs, aggressive at-home extractions, or overusing acids without professional guidance. These practices inflame the skin, weaken the barrier, and can permanently stretch pores.
Picking at blackheads or squeezing pores damages surrounding tissue, making pores more visible over time. Skipping sunscreen is another major mistake - UV exposure breaks down collagen, directly worsening pore appearance.
