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Skin concern

Large pores

Primary source

Large pores: visible topographic changes of the skin surface, most often on the nose and cheeks. They are a cosmetic concern. The strongest evidence comes from a 2023 human trial: In 83 adults with comedones, a serum containing salicylic acid and lipohydroxy acid significantly improved open comedones on the nose, closed comedones on the face, skin pore density, sebum secretion and skin hydration from baseline after 8 weeks; adding a mask improved closed comedones more than the serum alone (-6.56 vs -5.19, p = 0.022). 6 ingredients have evidence for Large pores: Salicylic Acid, Niacinamide, Retinal, Azelaic acid, Glycolic acid, Lactic Acid.

The studies here measured instrument-based pore counts or surface unevenness. Pores are also tied to oiliness and blackheads, which share this evidence.

Where the definition comes from

Source wording

“Enlarged skin pores refer to conditions that present with visible topographic changes of skin surfaces. Although not a medical concern, enlarged pores are a cosmetic concern.” — Lee et al., Dermatol Surg 2016 (PMID 26918966).

Facial Pores: Definition, Causes, and Treatment Options Dermatologic Surgery (Lee SJ, Seok J et al.)

Ingredients at a glance

2023 · 83 people · adults with comedones (41 serum+mask, 42 serum alone) · PMID 36999489

Ingredient Measured outcome Based on Certainty Year
Salicylic Acid Skin effect Human trial Moderate 2023
— Skin effect Human trial Moderate 2020
Niacinamide Skin effect Human trial Moderate 2007
Retinal, Azelaic acid Skin effect Human trial Moderate 2026
Glycolic acid, Lactic Acid Skin effect Human trial Low 2015

Studies and results

  1. 1 Salicylic Acid Skin effect
    Efficacy and safety of a facial serum and a mask containing salicylic acid and lipohydroxy acid in acne management: A randomized controlled trial

    In 83 adults with comedones, a serum containing salicylic acid and lipohydroxy acid significantly improved open comedones on the nose, closed comedones on the face, skin pore density, sebum secretion and skin hydration from baseline after 8 weeks; adding a mask improved closed comedones more than the serum alone (-6.56 vs -5.19, p = 0.022).

    Human trial · 2023 · 83 people · adults with comedones (41 serum+mask, 42 serum alone) · Adults in Shanghai with comedones, PIE and PIH, using the serum for 8 weeks. · Both groups used active products; improvements were reported against baseline and between the two active groups. Industry-funded. This is the trial found that counted open and closed comedones separately.

    PMID 36999489

    Read the full finding →
    Source:Efficacy and safety of a facial serum and a mask containing salicylic acid and lipohydroxy acid in acne management: A randomized controlled trial
  2. 2 Niacinamide Skin effect
    The clinical anti-aging effects of topical kinetin and niacinamide in Asians: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, split-face comparative trial

    In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled split-face trial of 52 Taiwanese subjects, 4% niacinamide alone significantly reduced instrument-measured pore counts at week 8, and 4% niacinamide with 0.03% kinetin produced persistent significant reductions in pore, spot, wrinkle and evenness counts at weeks 8 and 12.

    Human trial · 2007 · 52 people · Taiwanese subjects · Instrument-measured facial pore counts over 8-12 weeks. · The niacinamide-group showed significant pore reduction at week 8; 'pore counts' is an instrument parameter.

    PMID 18047609

    Read the full finding →
    Source:The clinical anti-aging effects of topical kinetin and niacinamide in Asians: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, split-face comparative trial
  3. 3 Retinal Azelaic acid Skin effect
    Efficacy and safety of a novel anhydrous 0.1% retinal and 10% azelaic acid concentrate for blemish-prone skin: an eight-week randomized prospective split-face, vehicle-controlled study

    In an 8-week randomized, vehicle-controlled split-face study of 23 people with blemish-prone skin, an anhydrous 0.1% retinal / 10% azelaic acid concentrate improved the pore parameter by 22.3% versus vehicle (p=0.015) and skin texture by 5.6% versus vehicle (p=0.0016), and reduced surface irregularities by 12.7% versus vehicle (p=0.0053).

    Human trial · 2026 · 23 people · participants aged 16-49 (mean 28), Fitzpatrick I-IV, blemish-prone skin · Pore appearance, skin texture and surface irregularities on the face over 8 weeks. · The pore improvement versus baseline was borderline (15.9%, p=0.051); the small sample completed 23 participants; the product is a six-ingredient concentrate; 10% azelaic acid is regulated as an OTC drug in some markets.

    PMID 42572367

    Read the full finding →
    Source:Efficacy and safety of a novel anhydrous 0.1% retinal and 10% azelaic acid concentrate for blemish-prone skin: an eight-week randomized prospective split-face, vehicle-controlled study
  4. 4 Glycolic acid Lactic Acid Skin effect
    The effect of physically applied alpha hydroxyl acids on the skin pore and comedone

    In 23 women, a single application of a 4% alpha-hydroxy acid solution combined with negative-pressure physical action significantly reduced whitehead and blackhead counts at 1, 2 and 4 weeks, and reduced pore area and number at week 1, compared with AHA peeling alone.

    Human trial · 2015 · 23 people · healthy women (mean age 30) · Healthy women receiving a single in-clinic application in a randomised split-face design, assessed at 1, 2 and 4 weeks. · The intervention was a single in-clinic chemical peeling plus negative-pressure physical action.

    PMID 26032934

    Read the full finding →
    Source:The effect of physically applied alpha hydroxyl acids on the skin pore and comedone

Study limits

Study conditions and measured outcomes.

  • Salicylic Acid Human trial · 2023

    Both groups used active products; improvements were reported against baseline and between the two active groups. Industry-funded. This is the trial found that counted open and closed comedones separately.

  • ev-large-pores-cleanser-rct Human trial · 2020

    A rinse-off cleanser.

  • Niacinamide Human trial · 2007

    The niacinamide-group showed significant pore reduction at week 8; 'pore counts' is an instrument parameter.

  • Retinal, Azelaic acid Human trial · 2026

    The pore improvement versus baseline was borderline (15.9%, p=0.051); the small sample completed 23 participants; the product is a six-ingredient concentrate; 10% azelaic acid is regulated as an OTC drug in some markets.

  • Glycolic acid, Lactic Acid Human trial · 2015

    The intervention was a single in-clinic chemical peeling plus negative-pressure physical action.

Products with a basis for this

32 products · AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution · Effaclar Ultra Concentrated Anti-Acne Serum · 2023 · 83 people · adults with comedones (41 serum+mask, 42 serum alone) · PMID 36999489

Research-backed approaches

These studies measured finished products and whole routines.

  1. 1 Skin effect
    A cleanser formulated with Tris (hydroxymethyl) aminomethane and l-arginine significantly improves facial acne in male Thai subjects

    In a 4-week randomized, double-blind controlled trial of 34 men with mild-to-moderate acne, a cleanser formulated with tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane and L-arginine significantly reduced the average pore size with keratotic plugs on the cheeks, along with non-inflammatory and inflammatory acne lesions.

    Human trial · 2020 · 34 people · Thai men with mild-to-moderate acne · Men with mild-to-moderate acne using a rinse-off cleanser twice daily for 4 weeks. · A rinse-off cleanser.

    PMID 31347768

    Read the full finding →
    Source:A cleanser formulated with Tris (hydroxymethyl) aminomethane and l-arginine significantly improves facial acne in male Thai subjects

Common questions

Which ingredients have been studied for Large pores?
Ingredients with evidence for Large pores: Salicylic Acid, Niacinamide, Retinal, Azelaic acid, Glycolic acid, Lactic Acid.
How many people were studied?
5 findings · 2023 · 83 people · adults with comedones (41 serum+mask, 42 serum alone) · PMID 36999489
What can I use for Large pores?
Salicylic Acid, Niacinamide, Retinal · 2023 · 83 people · adults with comedones (41 serum+mask, 42 serum alone) · PMID 36999489
Can I use these every day for Large pores?
Men with mild-to-moderate acne using a rinse-off cleanser twice daily for 4 weeks（2020 · 34 participants · 34 Thai men with mild-to-moderate acne · PMID 31347768）

Other concerns

Acne marks and scars Acne and breakouts Barrier damage Blackheads Bumps and rough texture Closed comedones Combination skin Dark circles Dark spots Skincare for deeper skin tones Dehydrated skin Dryness Dull skin Eczema and atopic dermatitis Hyperpigmentation Loss of firmness Melasma Skincare for men Oily skin Skincare while on acne medication Peeling and flaking Perioral dermatitis Skincare during pregnancy Psoriasis Facial redness Rosacea Sebaceous filaments Sensitive skin Sun damage Sun protection Teenage skin Uneven skin tone Wrinkles and fine lines