Pores - we all have them! Pores are tiny openings in the skin that allow oil, water, and sweat to reach the surface. While you can’t erase them, understanding how they work can help you take better care of your skin.
Types of pores
Humans have two types of pores:
- Sweat Pores
- Oil Pores (aka Hair Follicles)
Sweat pores help regulate body temperature. They’re usually too small to see.
Oil pores release sebum (oil) to keep skin hydrated and healthy. These are more visible, especially on the face and scalp, which have more oil pores than the rest of the body.
Fun fact: The only areas without oil pores are the palms, soles, and eyelids.
Our faces and scalp have more oil pores than the rest of our body.
Oil pores
Oil pores are essential for keeping skin soft and moisturized. Most of the time, they clean themselves but they can get clogged.
Clogged pores can lead to whiteheads, blackheads, acne, or cysts.
Clogged pores
What causes clogged pores?
- Buildup of dead skin cells
- Makeup
- Medication
- Genetics
- Age
- Hormones
Sebum
Sebum is the oily substance released by oil pores. It’s made in sebaceous glands and contains squalene, wax esters, fatty acids, cholesterol, and glycerides.
Sebum plays a key role in keeping skin hydrated and protecting the skin’s natural barrier from bacteria and other irritants.
Your body’s sebum production depends on your hormones, age, and genetics.
Keeping pores healthy
- Cleanse regularly: Use a gentle cleanser to remove dirt, oil, and makeup without stripping or irritating your skin.
- Exfoliate wisely: Exfoliating helps prevent dead skin buildup (be sure to avoid overdoing it).
- Wear sun protection; UV damage can enlarge the appearance of pores.
