Dermatologists Reveal the #1 Mistake Making Your Pores Look Massive (You're Probably Doing It)

If you’ve been investing in skincare but your pores still look larger than ever, you’re not alone and you’re not careless. According to board-certified dermatologists, this is one of the most common concerns seen in clinics today.

At 3Layers Clinic, Dr. Saba regularly sees patients who are doing too much to their skin—often following viral routines that promise “instant pore shrinking” but quietly make the problem worse.

Let’s clear the confusion.

The #1 Mistake Making Your Pores Look Massive

The most damaging mistake? Over-exfoliating and over-cleansing the skin.

In clinical practice, Dr. Saba notes that many patients believe frequent exfoliation will “deep clean” pores. In reality, aggressive scrubs, daily acids, and pore strips disrupt the skin barrier, leading to irritation and inflammation around pore openings.

Inflamed pores don’t tighten—they stretch.

Why Dermatologists See This So Often

From a dermatological perspective, pores become more noticeable when the surrounding skin is inflamed or dehydrated. Over-exfoliation weakens the barrier, causing the skin to overproduce oil as compensation.

At 3Layers, treatment plans often begin by removing unnecessary products before adding anything new. Once inflammation settles and the barrier is repaired, pores naturally appear smoother and less prominent—without aggressive treatments.

This approach is slow, but it’s effective.

What Actually Helps Pores Look Smaller

Dermatologist-guided routines focus on consistency, not force:

• A gentle, non-stripping cleanser twice daily

• Exfoliation limited to 1–2 times weekly, based on skin type

• Barrier-supporting ingredients like ceramides and niacinamide

• Daily moisturizing to maintain skin elasticity

• Broad-spectrum sunscreen to prevent pore-enlarging sun damage

Dr. Saba emphasizes that pore appearance improves when skin is calm, hydrated, and protected—not when it’s constantly “treated.”

The Takeaway

Pores don’t respond to harsh routines. They respond to balance.

In dermatology-led care, the goal isn’t to fight the skin—it’s to restore it. When patients stop over-correcting and start supporting their skin barrier, visible pore size becomes far less of a concern.

FAQs About Pores (Dermatologist-Answered)