Sebum (oil) is produced to protect our skin, making it waterproof and preventing it from becoming dry. Oil glands produce sebum that moves through the lining of each pore and then onto the skin’s surface. If overproduced, that oil mixes with dead skin cells in the pore and causes clogging and swelling which can lead to large pores.

Large pores can also be a result of an ageing skin. The production of collagen and elastin decreases with age and a loss of elasticity makes the pores appear larger. Gender and genetics are also factors. Men generally have larger pores than women, although hormonal fluctuations in females may contribute to enlarged pores.