Visible pores are completely normal. Everyone has them, and your skin actually needs them. But when pores become clogged, the skin produces more oil or elasticity decreases, they can start to look more noticeable.

The good news? While you can't actually open, close or permanently shrink your pores, the right skincare routine can make a big difference in how visible they appear.

And this is where Korean skincare gets it right. Instead of trying to strip away every bit of oil or aggressively exfoliate the skin, K-beauty focuses on keeping pores clear while maintaining hydration and a healthy skin barrier.

So, what should you actually be doing? And which habits might be making your pores look even more noticeable?

First things first: why do pores look larger?

The size of your pores is partly determined by genetics, which means some people naturally have more visible pores than others.

But several things can make them stand out more. Excess sebum and dead skin cells can build up inside the pore, making it appear larger. Loss of collagen and elasticity can also make pores look more noticeable over time, while sun damage can contribute to this process.

That means the goal of a pore routine shouldn't be to close your pores.

Instead, focus on keeping them clear, balancing excess oil, improving skin texture and supporting elasticity.

DO: Cleanse properly

Keeping pores clear starts with cleansing, especially if you wear makeup and SPF every day.

An oil cleanser in the evening helps dissolve sunscreen, makeup and excess sebum before you follow with your regular water-based cleanser. This double cleansing approach helps thoroughly cleanse the skin without having to scrub or use an overly harsh cleanser.

The goal is clean skin, not squeaky-clean skin.

DON'T: Strip your skin to get rid of oil

If your pores are more visible because you have oily skin, it can be tempting to use strong cleansers and drying products.

But removing too much oil can disrupt the skin barrier and leave your skin dehydrated and irritated. Your routine should help balance oily skin rather than trying to completely remove its natural oils.

Lightweight hydration is still essential, even for oily and pore-prone skin.

DO: Add BHA to your routine

When it comes to clogged pores, Salicylic Acid or BHA is one of the most useful ingredients to know.

Because BHA is oil soluble, it can work within oily pores to help remove excess sebum and dead skin cells. With consistent use, this can help reduce congestion, blackheads and the appearance of enlarged pores.

You don't need to exfoliate every day to see results. Start with once a week and adjust the frequency depending on how your skin responds.

DON'T: Over-exfoliate

More exfoliation doesn't automatically mean clearer pores.

Using exfoliating acids too frequently, combining several exfoliants or constantly reaching for peeling products can compromise your skin barrier. The result can be redness, dehydration and rough texture, which may actually make pores look more noticeable.

With exfoliation, consistency beats intensity.

DO: Look for Niacinamide

Niacinamide is another K-beauty favourite for pore-focused routines.

It can help regulate excess sebum, support the skin barrier and improve overall skin texture. Rather than physically changing your pore size, it helps create a smoother and more balanced-looking complexion, which can make pores appear less noticeable.

It's also easy to combine with ingredients like BHA, Hyaluronic Acid and Centella.

DON'T: Squeeze your pores

We know it's tempting.

But squeezing blackheads and sebaceous filaments can irritate the skin and potentially damage the tissue surrounding the pore. Aggressive pore strips and extraction tools aren't the long-term solution either.

Keeping pores clear consistently is much more effective than repeatedly trying to empty them manually.

DO: Keep your skin hydrated

Hydration might not be the first thing you think of when you're dealing with large pores, but dehydrated skin can make texture look much more noticeable.

Look for lightweight hydrating ingredients such as Hyaluronic Acid, Beta-Glucan and Centella Asiatica. They help maintain hydration without making oily or combination skin feel unnecessarily heavy.

Healthy, hydrated skin tends to look smoother and more plump, which can naturally soften the appearance of pores.

DO: Think about collagen too

Not every visible pore is caused by oil or congestion.

As collagen and elastin naturally decrease with age, the skin around the pores loses some of its firmness. This can make pores appear larger or more elongated.

That's where ingredients such as retinal, retinol and peptides become interesting. They support smoother, firmer-looking skin over time and can therefore also help improve the appearance of pores.

DON'T: Skip SPF

This one is easy to overlook.

UV exposure contributes to collagen breakdown and loss of skin elasticity. Over time, that can make pores appear more noticeable.

Daily SPF therefore isn't just about preventing sunburn and pigmentation. It's also an important part of maintaining smooth, firm-looking skin.

The Korean approach to pores

The biggest takeaway? You don't need to fight your pores.

Korean skincare approaches them in much the same way it approaches most skin concerns: keep the skin healthy first.

Cleanse thoroughly without stripping. Keep congestion under control with gentle exfoliation. Balance excess oil with ingredients like niacinamide. Hydrate the skin, support elasticity and protect it from UV damage every day.

The goal isn't poreless skin. It's clear, balanced and healthy-looking skin where pores naturally appear less noticeable.

Our favorite pore care picks

Cleansers

Anua Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil
A lightweight cleansing oil that dissolves sunscreen, makeup and excess sebum, helping prevent buildup that can make pores appear larger without stripping the skin.

Anua Heartleaf Quercetinol Pore Deep Cleansing Foam
A deep cleansing foam that removes remaining impurities and excess oil, helping keep pores clear while leaving the skin feeling fresh and balanced.

Exfoliation & Pore Care

Medicube Zero Pore Pad
Exfoliating toner pads that help remove dead skin cells and excess sebum that can make pores look more noticeable, while smoothing uneven texture for a more refined-looking complexion.

Anua BHA 2% Gentle Exfoliating Toner
A BHA toner that works inside oily pores to help remove excess sebum and dead skin cells, keeping congestion and blackheads under control while making pores appear clearer and more refined.

Ilso Super Melting Sebum Softener Special Set
A targeted treatment that softens stubborn sebum and buildup around the pores, making congestion easier to remove without aggressively squeezing or picking at the skin.

Serums & Targeted Treatments

SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Poremizing Fresh Ampoule
A lightweight ampoule designed for oily and pore-prone skin that helps balance excess sebum and improve the appearance of enlarged pores while keeping the skin hydrated.

SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Niacinamide 10 Boosting Shot Ampoule
A concentrated niacinamide ampoule that helps regulate excess sebum and smooth uneven texture, making pores appear less noticeable while Centella helps keep the skin calm and balanced.

Dr. Nineteen PoreXsome ReDRN Exosome Ampoule
A pore-focused ampoule that targets skin texture and elasticity, helping support smoother, firmer-looking skin so enlarged pores appear more refined.

iUNIK Beta-Glucan Power Moisture Serum
A deeply hydrating serum that helps plump and smooth dehydrated skin. Because dehydration can make pores and uneven texture stand out more, keeping the skin hydrated helps create a smoother, more refined-looking complexion.

Celimax The Vita-A Retinal Shot Tightening Booster
A retinal treatment that supports skin renewal and elasticity, helping improve uneven texture and firmness over time. Especially interesting for pores that appear larger due to loss of elasticity, as firmer, smoother-looking skin can make them appear less noticeable.

Masks

Skinfood Egg White Pore Mask
A wash-off mask that helps absorb excess sebum and remove impurities, leaving oily and congested areas feeling cleaner and smoother and pores looking more refined.

Medicube Zero Pore Blackhead Mud Mask
A pore-focused mud mask that helps draw out excess sebum and buildup that can make pores and blackheads appear more noticeable, leaving congested areas feeling cleaner, smoother and more refined.

Moisturizers

SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Poremizing Light Gel Cream
A lightweight gel moisturizer designed for oily and pore-prone skin that hydrates without feeling heavy. It helps keep excess oil and moisture in balance while smoothing skin texture, making pores appear more refined.

Purito Oat-in Calming Gel Cream
A lightweight soothing gel cream that hydrates and supports the skin barrier without clogging or weighing down the skin. Especially useful in a pore-focused routine to keep the skin balanced and comfortable alongside exfoliating and oil-controlling treatments.

Sunscreen

SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Hyalu-Cica Water-Fit Sun Serum
A lightweight daily SPF that protects against UV damage while keeping the skin hydrated with Centella and Hyaluronic Acid. Important for pore care, as UV-related loss of collagen and elasticity can make pores appear more noticeable over time.

Celimax Pore+Dark Spot Brightening Care Sunscreen
A lightweight sunscreen that protects against UV damage while supporting a smoother, clearer-looking complexion. Daily protection helps preserve skin elasticity and prevent pores from becoming more noticeable over time.