We obsess over them, scrutinise them in magnifying mirrors, and buy endless products promising to 'shrink' them—but how much do pores actually reveal about our skin? “Pores can reflect certain aspects of your skin type, but they’re not the entire story,” explains oculoplastic surgeon and skincare expert Dr. Maryam Zamani. “While pore size and appearance are influenced by oil production, genetics, and ageing, skin type classification also considers sensitivity, hydration levels, and barrier function. So, pores give us clues—but they’re not the full diagnostic picture.” In other words, think of pores as the gossip column of your complexion—revealing, but rarely the full truth. It begs the question: what exactly are pores? Let’s dive in.
