Skin texture and pores: what changes and what doesn't

Pores do not «close», but how they look changes: they look larger when they are clogged with oil, when the skin around them is irritated, and when the skin loses firmness with sun damage and age. Rough texture usually comes from clogged pores, tiny spots and built-up cells, and it improves with consistency and gentleness — not with scrubbing.

By Amina, the skincare expert on the SOLEMOSA team · 23 October 2026

Why do my pores look large?

The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) groups the reasons into four: clogged pores expand and become more noticeable; oily skin makes them more visible; inflamed or irritated skin makes them stand out; and skin that has lost firmness — from sun or age — makes them look bigger.

So most of what you see in the mirror is not the size of the pore itself but its condition: full or clear, and whether the skin around it is calm or irritated.

With age, according to the AAD, the skin slowly loses firmness, and pores look larger as the skin around them relaxes. That is a natural part of it, not a mistake on your side.

Can anything shrink pores?

Any product that claims to «close pores» is selling you words. But a lot can make them less noticeable, and the AAD says much of it you can do yourself: non-comedogenic products, washing twice a day with warm rather than hot water, and sunscreen every day.

Acne itself clogs pores, which is why the AAD counts calming breakouts as part of caring for pores: the fewer spots, the less noticeable the pores around them.

The AAD also notes that a product with retinol at night may help if your skin is oily, has mild acne or has lost some firmness — as long as you avoid it during pregnancy and breastfeeding, and wait 30 minutes after washing if it irritates you.

What improves skin texture?

The steps the AAD recommends when the goal is smoother skin and less noticeable pores:

• A gentle, non-comedogenic cleanser twice a day, with warm water.
• A cleanser with salicylic acid if you have small spots — studies show it can unclog pores.
• Retinol at night if it suits your skin, introduced gradually.
• Sunscreen every day, because sun damage reduces firmness and pores look larger.
• No scrubbing, squeezing or picking, which irritate the skin and make pores stand out.

Do rough scrubs make skin smoother?

They feel smooth in the moment, but the AAD says scrubbing does not make your face any cleaner — it irritates the skin and makes pores look larger. And exfoliation itself, according to the AAD, is not for everyone: it depends on skin type, sensitive or acne-prone skin does better with something gentle, and aggressive exfoliation can cause dark spots in darker skin tones.

After any exfoliation, moisturise straight away, because exfoliating can be drying.

Why does the sun affect pores?

Because sun exposure weakens the skin's firmness over time, and the AAD says the more sun damage your skin has, the less firm it is and the larger pores look. That is why daily sunscreen is one of the most important steps for texture — even indoors, when daylight comes through the window.

How do I know my skin texture has improved?

The mirror misleads us every day with different light. The most accurate way is to keep a starting point — a photo in the same light — and compare after a month. Texture improves slowly, and without a clear comparison you may stop something that works because you think it did nothing.

And give the plan time: the AAD says stubborn whiteheads and blackheads need 6 to 8 weeks for a plan to show, and rough texture is often linked to them. The first two weeks are not enough to judge.