Skin concern
Large Pores
Visible pores across the nose, cheeks and forehead, often with a rough or bumpy texture. Pore size is genetic, but how visible they look is very changeable.
What causes it
Why this happens
Genetics, high sebum output stretching the pore wall, sun damage weakening the surrounding collagen, and congestion from make-up or sunscreen that is not fully removed.
Habits & ingredients to avoid
- Pore strips
- Aggressive extractions at home
- Heavy occlusive balms
- Alcohol-based mattifiers
Key helpful ingredients
What to look for on the label
Niacinamide
Why it works: it is one of the best-evidenced options for large pores, and appears in 5 of the products below.
Salicylic acid (BHA)
Why it works: it is one of the best-evidenced options for large pores, and appears in 2 of the products below.
Retinoids
Why it works: it is one of the best-evidenced options for large pores, and appears in several of the products below.
Clay (kaolin, bentonite)
Why it works: it is one of the best-evidenced options for large pores, and appears in 2 of the products below.
Azelaic acid
Why it works: it is one of the best-evidenced options for large pores, and appears in 1 of the products below.
Recommended
13 products for large pores
Verdant Lab
4.8BHA Pore Refining Liquid
Salicylic acid 2% is one of the most reliable choices for large pores. A targeted, higher-strength step used a few times a week to push visible change.
Emerald Atelier
4.7Overnight Retinal 0.1% Treatment
Retinaldehyde 0.1% is one of the most reliable choices for large pores. A targeted, higher-strength step used a few times a week to push visible change.
Verdant Lab
4.6Clarifying Willow Bark Gel Cleanser
Salicylic acid 2% is one of the most reliable choices for large pores. Sets the tone for the whole routine — it removes what triggers this concern without stripping the barrier.
Verdant Lab
4.6Azelaic Acid 10% Clarifying Serum
Azelaic acid 10% is one of the most reliable choices for large pores. This is where the active work happens: the highest useful concentration of the ingredients that address this concern.
Verdant Lab
4.6Oil-Free Gel Hydrator
Glycerin is one of the most reliable choices for large pores. Locks in the actives and rebuilds the barrier, which is what stops this concern coming back.
Verdant Lab
4.6Invisible Gel SPF 40
Chemical UV filters is one of the most reliable choices for large pores. Non-negotiable for this concern — daily UV and visible-light protection prevents everything else undoing itself.
Golden Hour Skin
4.5Glycolic 7% Resurfacing Toner
Glycolic acid 7% is one of the most reliable choices for large pores. A targeted, higher-strength step used a few times a week to push visible change.
Rosewater Botanics
4.5Gentle Enzyme Polishing Powder
Rice enzymes is one of the most reliable choices for large pores. Sets the tone for the whole routine — it removes what triggers this concern without stripping the barrier.
Verdant Lab
4.510% Niacinamide Pore Serum
Niacinamide 10% is one of the most reliable choices for large pores. This is where the active work happens: the highest useful concentration of the ingredients that address this concern.
Golden Hour Skin
4.5Glow Renewal Lactic Serum
Lactic acid 8% is one of the most reliable choices for large pores. This is where the active work happens: the highest useful concentration of the ingredients that address this concern.
Verdant Lab
4.3Green Clay Deep Clean Wash
Kaolin clay is one of the most reliable choices for large pores. Sets the tone for the whole routine — it removes what triggers this concern without stripping the barrier.
Verdant Lab
4.2Green Tea Mattifying Serum
Green tea polyphenols is one of the most reliable choices for large pores. This is where the active work happens: the highest useful concentration of the ingredients that address this concern.
Verdant Lab
4.2Sulphur & Clay Weekly Mask
Sulphur 3% is one of the most reliable choices for large pores. A targeted, higher-strength step used a few times a week to push visible change.