Pore patrol

Pores. You'll have them. For many, they're not an issue. For others, they can seem large and open. Hannah Britt pores over the science and sorts the social media fact from fiction

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Pores. We all have them. For many, they're not an issue. For others, they can appear large and open, sometimes blocked and congested. And as a result, one of the things I am asked frequently on social media is: what do I do about my pores?

Pores: the lowdown

"Pores are perfectly natural and the tiny openings of hair follicles on your skin, essential for allowing oil and sweat to reach the surface," says Milena Mansouri, dermatologist and founder of Dr Milena Aesthetics (milenaaesthetic.com).

"Larger pores can be down to a mix of factors - genetics, skin type (oily skin has more visible pores), and age, as collagen and elasticity decrease.