PORES & TEXTURE

Blackheads and enlarged pores: what actually works

Blackheads are sebum plugs that oxidise at the surface of the pore. You cannot change the size of your pores, but you can change how visible they are — with the right ingredients, the right frequency, and by dropping the habits that make things worse.

Start my free skin analysis

Free · 1 analysis per week · no commitment

Why blackheads form

A pore fills with sebum and dead cells. When that plug reaches the surface, contact with air oxidises it and it turns dark. It is oxidation, not dirt — which is why scrubbing harder never solves it.

Heavier sebum production, slow cell turnover, occlusive products and pollution all push in the same direction: pores that clog faster and read larger.

What works

Salicylic acid (BHA), 2 to 3 times a week: oil-soluble, so it clears the inside of the pore.
Niacinamide 4–10% daily: helps regulate oil and evens tone around the pore.
Retinoid at night, gradually: refines texture and speeds up turnover.
Clay mask on the T-zone only, once a week if you are congested.
Light but real hydration: dehydrated skin often over-produces oil.
Daily sunscreen: protects the collagen that keeps pores looking tight.

What to stop doing

Squeezing — inflammation and marks last much longer than the blackhead.
Pore strips: they take the tip, leave the plug, and stress the skin.
Gritty scrubs and hot water: micro-irritation makes pores more visible.
Stacking several actives at once, which breaks the barrier and worsens everything.

Track your pore score

Pores and texture are two of the twelve criteria scored by the Yepoyo AI analysis. Scanning in the same lighting every two to four weeks tells you whether your BHA rhythm is working or whether your skin is starting to show signs of over-exfoliation.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get rid of blackheads?

Consistency beats extraction. Cleanse gently twice a day, use salicylic acid (BHA) two to three times a week, keep skin hydrated and never squeeze — squeezing inflames the pore and can leave a mark that lasts far longer than the blackhead.

Can pores actually be shrunk?

Pore size is largely genetic and cannot be permanently changed. What you can change is how visible pores look: clearing the sebum plug, smoothing surrounding texture and keeping skin hydrated all make them read smaller.

Which ingredients help the most?

Salicylic acid to clear the pore lining, niacinamide to regulate oil and even tone, retinoids to refine texture, and daily sunscreen to protect the collagen that keeps pores tight-looking.

Are pore strips and scrubs a good idea?

Not really. Strips remove only the surface tip and stress the skin, while gritty scrubs can create micro-irritation that makes pores look worse. Chemical exfoliation is gentler and more effective.