Your Pores Look Bigger Because of THIS One Skincare Habit
Wait… Why Do My Pores Look So Huge All of a Sudden?
We’ve all been there — staring into the mirror, wondering why those pores are looking more like craters lately. You clean your face, you moisturize, maybe even slap on a mask once in a while… and still, there they are. Enlarged, obvious, annoying.
But here’s the thing no one really tells you:
It might be something you’re doing every single day.
And not just “doing it wrong”… doing it thinking it’s actually helping. But in reality? It’s making things worse.
The Habit That’s Ruining Your Pores: Over-Cleansing
Sounds backwards, right?
You’d think washing your face more often would help shrink pores. But when you scrub too hard or cleanse too frequently — especially with harsh soaps or foaming cleansers — your skin goes into panic mode.
Here’s what happens:
- Strips away natural oils
- Triggers your skin to produce more oil
- That oil clogs your pores
- Clogged pores = stretched pores
- Stretched pores = the larger, more noticeable ones you see in the mirror
And then… the vicious cycle begins.
More cleansing → more oil → more clogged pores → more visible pores.
Signs You’re Over-Cleansing (and Don’t Even Realize It)
Check off how many of these you’re guilty of:
- You wash your face more than 2x a day
- Your skin feels “tight” or dry right after cleansing
- You use products labeled “oil-control” or “deep-cleansing” daily
- You exfoliate 3+ times a week with scrubs
- You skip moisturizer because your skin feels oily
Even just one or two of these? Yep. It’s enough to start causing pore drama.
What You Should Do Instead
Okay, so how do you shrink the appearance of those pesky pores the right way?
Let’s break it down 👇
| BAD HABITS | WHAT TO DO INSTEAD |
|---|---|
| Washing face 3+ times/day | 1–2 times max (AM & PM only) |
| Harsh foaming cleansers | Use gel or cream-based cleansers |
| Skipping moisturizer | Use a lightweight, non-comedogenic one |
| Physical exfoliants (scrubs) | Switch to gentle chemical exfoliants like BHA |
| Hot water | Lukewarm water only |
Natural Ingredients That Can Help Minimize Pores
Try some of these DIY-friendly options:
- Green tea toner – rich in antioxidants and soothing
- Witch hazel – helps tighten skin naturally
- Clay masks – absorbs excess oil (use once a week)
- Aloe vera – hydrates without clogging
Just don’t go overboard. Even the best natural stuff can mess up your skin if used too often.
The Takeaway (Read This Before You Wash Your Face Again)
If your pores are looking bigger lately, don’t panic — and definitely don’t scrub harder.
Chances are, you’ve just been over-cleansing, and your skin is screaming for a break.
Once you scale things back and treat your skin more gently, you’ll start to notice your pores calming down. They won’t magically vanish (pores are real, people), but they’ll look a lot less obvious.
