Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTypes of PoresHow Pores WorkPores in Acne
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Types of Pores
How Pores Work
Pores in Acne
Pores are small openings in the skin that facilitate the removal of oil (sebum), sweat, and toxins. By releasing sweat, pores help regulate your body temperature. They are also essential for keeping yourskin healthy and hydrated.
Each pore contains a hair follicle andsebaceousglandthat produces sebum. If the pore gets clogged, excess oil, dead skin cells, and bacteria can get trapped, leading to inflammation andbreakouts. Learning to keep your pores clean with proper skin care can help reduce acne. When that’s not enough,acne medicationcan help.
This article explains what pores are and how they contribute to acne. It also discusses whether you can get rid of pores, along with how to reduce their appearance.
PeopleImage.com / Digital Vision / Getty Images
Two Types of Skin Pores
The term “pore” describes the small openings in the skin in which oil and sweat reach the surface from their respective glands below. You have two different types of pores:
How Healthy Pores Work
Sweat glands come in two varieties:eccrineglands andapocrineglands. The eccrine glands produce most of your sweat, and the apocrine glands in your armpits and groin produce a thicker and oilier type of sweat that is prone to causing body odor.
Why Do I Have Strong Body Odor?
The Role of Pores in Acne
Acne is a disorder of the pore, oil glands, and oil duct. Altogether these make up thepilosebaceousunit.
Typically, your pores do a great job of sweeping out oil, dead skin cells, and other gunk that may end up there. But sometimes this process goes awry as oil and dead cells become trapped in the hair follicle.
All acne blemishes begin as a pore blockage. This includes blackheads,milia, small pimples, and large inflamed breakouts. To get acne under control, a treatment that keeps pores clear is a must.
Incidentally, sweat pores can become blocked, although an acne blemish doesn’t form. Instead, heat rash or “prickly heat” develops.
Can You Get Rid of Pores?
Noncomedogenic Skin Care Products: Types and Benefits
Summary
4 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Flament F, Francois G, Qiu H, et al.Facial skin pores: a multiethnic study.Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2015;8:85–93. doi:10.2147/CCID.S74401Maia Campos PMBG, Melo MO, Mercurio DG.Use of advanced imaging techniques for the characterization of oily skin.Front Physiol.2019;10:254. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2019.00254Reynolds R, Yeung H, Cheng C, et al.Guidelines of care for the management of acne vulgaris.JAAD. 2024 May;90(5):1006-1030. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2023.12.017American Academy of Dermatology Association.What can treat large facial pores?.Additional ReadingFlament F, Francois G, Qiu H, et al.Facial skin pores: a multiethnic study.Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology. 2015;8:85-93. doi:10.2147/CCID.S74401
4 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Flament F, Francois G, Qiu H, et al.Facial skin pores: a multiethnic study.Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2015;8:85–93. doi:10.2147/CCID.S74401Maia Campos PMBG, Melo MO, Mercurio DG.Use of advanced imaging techniques for the characterization of oily skin.Front Physiol.2019;10:254. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2019.00254Reynolds R, Yeung H, Cheng C, et al.Guidelines of care for the management of acne vulgaris.JAAD. 2024 May;90(5):1006-1030. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2023.12.017American Academy of Dermatology Association.What can treat large facial pores?.Additional ReadingFlament F, Francois G, Qiu H, et al.Facial skin pores: a multiethnic study.Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology. 2015;8:85-93. doi:10.2147/CCID.S74401
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Flament F, Francois G, Qiu H, et al.Facial skin pores: a multiethnic study.Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2015;8:85–93. doi:10.2147/CCID.S74401Maia Campos PMBG, Melo MO, Mercurio DG.Use of advanced imaging techniques for the characterization of oily skin.Front Physiol.2019;10:254. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2019.00254Reynolds R, Yeung H, Cheng C, et al.Guidelines of care for the management of acne vulgaris.JAAD. 2024 May;90(5):1006-1030. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2023.12.017American Academy of Dermatology Association.What can treat large facial pores?.
Flament F, Francois G, Qiu H, et al.Facial skin pores: a multiethnic study.Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2015;8:85–93. doi:10.2147/CCID.S74401
Maia Campos PMBG, Melo MO, Mercurio DG.Use of advanced imaging techniques for the characterization of oily skin.Front Physiol.2019;10:254. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2019.00254
Reynolds R, Yeung H, Cheng C, et al.Guidelines of care for the management of acne vulgaris.JAAD. 2024 May;90(5):1006-1030. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2023.12.017
American Academy of Dermatology Association.What can treat large facial pores?.
Flament F, Francois G, Qiu H, et al.Facial skin pores: a multiethnic study.Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology. 2015;8:85-93. doi:10.2147/CCID.S74401
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
