Enlarged Pores: Causes and Effective Treatments

Jun 16, 2022Josiane Riachi

Pores are small openings in the skin that release oils and sweat, and they are connected to hair follicles. Sebum, the natural oil produced by these glands, helps maintain skin hydration and protect the skin’s barrier. Pores are nearly invisible on dry skin but more noticeable on combination and oily skin. When visible to the naked eye, they are called dilated pores.

Large pores are commonly found in oily areas of the face, such as the T-zone (forehead, nose, chin) and cheeks. Men are generally more prone to dilated pores due to androgen hormones stimulating sebum production during puberty.

Why it matters: The more dilated the pores, the more dirt, oil, and impurities accumulate, leading to blackheads, acne, and other skin imperfections.

Main Causes of Enlarged Pores

Heredity: Enlarged pores often run in families.
Hormonal Imbalance: Puberty, pregnancy, or menopause can trigger pore dilation due to hormone-related sebum overproduction.
Skin Dehydration: Dry skin can make pores appear larger.
Unhealthy Lifestyle: Diets high in fat and smoking reduce skin hydration and worsen pore appearance.
Makeup: Clogged pores often result from heavy makeup or insufficient cleansing.
Sun & UV Exposure: Long-term sun exposure thickens the skin and affects sebum flow, increasing pore visibility.

How to Reduce Enlarged Pores – Helwé’s Three-Step Routine

At Helwé, we recommend a three-step skincare routine for visibly smaller pores:

Step 1: Gentle Cleansing

Start with a double gentle cleanse using oil-based removers to regulate sebum and remove impurities.

Recommended products:

Prodige Démaquillant Hydratant: Non-comedogenic organic oils that cleanse while moisturizing.
Brume Perfection: A pore-tightening mist with aloe vera and astringent plants like myrtle, cistus ladaniferous, and true lavender. Prepares the skin for exfoliation and regeneration.

Step 2: Gentle Exfoliation

Chemical exfoliation is gentler than mechanical scrubs. It removes dead skin cells without damaging the protective hydrolipidic film.

Key ingredients:

AHA (glycolic acid) and BHA (salicylic acid)

Recommended products:

Lotion Exfoliante Peau Parfaite: 1% salicylic acid and 10% AHA (nighttime use).
Lotion Peau Nette: 2% salicylic acid, can alternate with the above.
Masque Clarté: Exfoliating and regenerating mask (fruit acids + bakuchiol), use 2–3 times a week in the evening.
Masque Éternel: Regenerating mask with Centella asiatica, yellow clay, and zinc oxide, safe for morning or evening use.

Tip: Combine masks with serums for maximum effect.

Step 3: Regeneration, UV Protection, and Hydration

Evening: Use Sérum Perfection (Bakuchiol + Retinol + Niacinamide) to regenerate skin and minimize pores.
Morning: Use Sérum Radieux with antioxidants (Vitamin C, Ferulic Acid, Vitamin E) to neutralize free radicals.

Hydration: Essential for all skin types, including oily skin.

Recommended moisturizers:

Emulsion Active: Nigella & Jojoba oils + Hyaluronic acid, light emulsion, morning & night.
Crème Eternelle: Jojoba oil + Hyaluronic acid + Centella asiatica, night use.
Crème Jeunesse: Bakuchiol-based, morning use.

Optional Hydrating Serums:

Sérum Hydratation Intense: Hyaluronic acid-based serum.
Sérum Nuit Active: Jojoba + Macadamia oils, night use.
Sérum Nuit Essentielle: Sea buckthorn oil, regulates sebum, reduces imperfections.