Let’s get one thing straight: pores are not your enemy. They’re also not optional. You can’t “close” them, “shrink them away,” or scrub them into oblivion.
We get it, though. When your pores are feeling extra visible (read: clogged, stretched, or shadowed by leftover makeup), it’s tempting to go full extraction mode in front of the mirror. But squeezing them out? Not only is that not helping — it’s doing your skin zero favours in the long run.
So here’s the truth: you can’t erase your pores, but you can minimise how they look. Here’s how.
Tip #1: Start With a Proper Double Cleanse
One cleanse just isn’t enough, especially if you’re wearing makeup, SPF, or live anywhere near traffic, air-conditioning, well, you get the picture.
A double cleanse works in two phases: the first breaks down oil-based debris (think sunscreen, sebum, and makeup); the second lifts away water-based grime like sweat and leftover product residue. Skipping this step? You’re leaving buildup behind, and that buildup can stretch and exaggerate the look of your pores over time.
For your first cleanse, the Expert Replenish Squalene Cleansing Oil does the job without stripping your skin. Squalene keeps your skin barrier intact and hydrated, while melting through makeup, pollution, and surface oil.
Follow that with the Glycolic Cleanser 12%, which acts as a mild chemical exfoliant. Glycolic acid gently dissolves dead skin cells that cling to pore walls, while tea tree oil helps decongest and calm the skin. That means cleaner pores, smoother texture, and fewer flare-ups
Tip #2: Use Niacinamide to Regulate Oil and Refine Texture
If your pores look more obvious by midday, usually thanks to oil slicks, congestion, or redness, niacinamide needs a place in your routine.
A review published in Antioxidants (Marques et al., 2024) outlined how niacinamide works at a cellular level: regulating oxidative stress, repairing DNA, and reducing inflammation. But relevant to the issue of pores is niacinamide’s role in reducing excess sebum and restoring skin barrier function, which are key factors in how visible your pores appear.
Consistent use of niacinamide has been shown to reduce oil flow, which can help keep your pores from becoming clogged and stretched. At the same time, it strengthens the skin’s structure.
If you're introducing this ingredient, a formula like the 10% Niacinamide Power Serum hits the sweet spot. It delivers a high concentration without irritation, soothes redness, helps regulate oil, and layers well with other actives. It’s especially effective when used with retinol — niacinamide helps buffer the intensity while doubling down on texture improvements.
Tip #3: Explore Professional Microneedling (Skin Needling) with Radiofrequency (Fractional RF)
Here’s what Microneedling / Skin Needling tiny, controlled micro-injuries are created in the skin using fine needles, which stimulate the skin’s natural healing response and boost collagen production. These microchannels trigger your body’s natural wound-healing response, specifically, the production of fresh collagen.
Add radiofrequency to the mix, and you get an added thermal effect that penetrates deeper and speeds up cell turnover to tighten the skin around the pores.
Fractional RF (also known as Skin Needling with Radiofrequency) works by creating tiny, controlled micro-injuries in the skin using fine needles. This process stimulates your body’s natural healing response and boosts collagen production.
The addition of radiofrequency delivers gentle heat beneath the skin’s surface, enhancing collagen renewal, accelerating cell turnover, and helping to firm and tighten the skin, especially around enlarged pores.
For more information, check out Skin Needling. Learn more about how to restore collagen in the face.
A 2024 study published in Lasers in Medical Science supports this treatment. After just three sessions of Fractional Microneedling Radiofrequency (FMRF), participants showed a statistically significant reduction in pore appearance. Pain levels were moderate, with high safety and no adverse effects.
At Laser Clinics Australia, the Fractional RF treatment combines dermal stamping (Microneedling) with controlled radiofrequency heat to tighten and brighten your skin from within. It’s particularly effective for enlarged pores, uneven texture, and acne scarring. For best results, a series of 4–6 sessions spaced 4–6 weeks apart is recommended.
Tip #4: Stop. Picking. Your. Pores—Get a Cosmetic-Grade Chemical Peel Instead
Here’s the thing about picking: even when it feels satisfying, it’s doing your skin zero favours. Poking and squeezing at pores can push bacteria deeper, trigger breakouts, and lead to post-inflammatory scarring that’s much harder to fix than the original blackhead.
If you’re dealing with the aftermath, uneven tone, clogged pores, dull texture, or stubborn marks, a Cosmetic Grade Chemical Peel can help you reset.
Unlike physical exfoliants or harsh at-home acids, professional peels work by creating controlled micro-injury to the upper skin layers, which encourages regeneration, collagen production, and cell turnover, the same biological repair process that helps fade scarring and smooth texture.
A 2023 review in StatPearls (Samargandy & Raggio) explains that this process, known as epidermal remodeling, not only improves surface-level clarity but also treats deeper skin concerns like acne, hyperpigmentation, and textural scarring — all common outcomes of frequent picking.
We recommend starting with these peels
At Laser Clinics Australia, Cosmetic-Grade Peels are tailored to your skin:
- The Clear & Bright Peel blends glycolic, lactic, and mandelic acid to help clear breakouts, reduce oil, and speed up post-acne healing.
- The Calm & Hydrate Peel uses fruit enzymes to gently resurface dry, irritated skin, a smart option if your barrier’s already feeling compromised.
Tip #5: Keep Your Skin Moist
Pores can look more obvious when your skin’s dry. It’s not that they’ve gotten bigger overnight, but when the surface of your skin is rough or dehydrated, it casts uneven shadows and exaggerates every little dip in texture.
Keeping your skin properly moisturised is a bit of a visual fix too. When your skin is hydrated, it appears smoother, softer, and more balanced. Light reflects more evenly, and pores fade quietly into the background.
For anyone who’s ever paused in front of a mirror or felt a wave of self-consciousness under unforgiving bathroom lights, this small habit helps. To be clear, hydration doesn’t physically shrink your pores, but it does help minimise their appearance by improving how the skin reflects light and holds texture.
Tip #6: Consider BBL Hero for Long-Term Pore Refinement
If you’re after something more powerful than serums and exfoliants, but not quite ready for lasers or downtime-heavy treatments, BBL Hero may be the sweet spot. It’s not a magic wand — but it is one of the most advanced light-based treatments for refreshing the skin and softening the visibility of pores.
BBL (BroadBand Light) works by delivering light energy into the skin to gently heat the upper layers. This mechanism encourages skin cells to regenerate and improve tone, clarity, and firmness over time.
In a split-face randomised controlled trial (Yu et al., 2019), participants received multiple BBL sessions on one side of their face, with the other half left untreated.
Using imaging technology to measure visible pores, researchers observed a modest but measurable reduction in pore visibility with no long-term side effects reported.
Final Thoughts
Pores aren’t a flaw; they’re a function, but if they start to get really, really visible, there are ways to take back control.
The good news? You don’t have to guess your way through the perfect treatment plan for your pores. At Laser Clinics Australia, trained Skin Therapists can help you build a tailored plan that suits your skin’s needs.
Whether it’s clinical-grade peels, targeted light therapies, or a proper skincare reset, it starts with a conversation.
Book your complimentary consultation and get expert advice that makes sense for your skin.
