Every summer, the same thing happens. You catch your reflection in a window or a bathroom mirror and think , when did my pores get so big? The good news: they didn't actually grow. The bad news: summer is doing a number on your skin, and there are a few very specific reasons your pores look more visible right now. Here's what's going on, and what actually works to fix it.
First: pores don't actually open and close
This is one of the most persistent myths in skincare, and it's worth clearing up before anything else. Pores are not doors. They don't open with steam and close with cold water. What changes is how visible they appear, and that's determined by what's inside them and how elastic the surrounding skin is.
In summer, two things happen simultaneously: your sebaceous glands produce more oil in response to heat, and that oil mixes with sweat, sunscreen, and dead skin cells to create congestion inside the pore. A congested pore stretches. A stretched pore looks bigger. That's the whole equation.
Why Dubai summer makes it worse
In a temperate climate, increased summer oil production is manageable. In Dubai, where temperatures regularly exceed 40 degrees and humidity swings wildly between the outdoor heat and indoor AC, your skin's sebum production goes into overdrive. Add the fact that most people apply SPF (correctly) but don't cleanse thoroughly enough to remove it at the end of the day, and you have a recipe for consistently congested pores that appear larger over time.
Sun exposure also degrades collagen, the protein that keeps the skin around your pores firm and tight. Less collagen means less structure around the pore, which means it appears larger even when it isn't congested. This is why consistent SPF use is a pore-minimising strategy as much as it is a sun protection one.
"Congested pores stretch. Stretched pores look bigger. The fix isn't a toner, it's consistent deep cleansing."
What actually works
Double cleanse at night. An oil-based cleanser first to dissolve SPF and sebum, followed by a water-based cleanser to clean the skin itself. This is non-negotiable in summer, especially in Dubai.
Exfoliate consistently but gently. Chemical exfoliants like salicylic acid (BHA) are particularly effective for pores because they're oil-soluble — they get inside the pore and dissolve the congestion from within. Two to three times a week is enough.
Don't skip moisturiser. Dehydrated skin produces more oil to compensate, which leads to more congestion. A lightweight, non-comedogenic moisturiser keeps your skin balanced and reduces the overproduction that makes pores worse.
Get a professional deep cleanse regularly. No at-home routine fully replicates the vacuum-assisted extraction in a HydraFacial. It removes the congestion that's already inside your pores — the stuff that's been sitting there stretching them out — in a way that topical products simply can't reach.
Flash Facial is Dubai's express HydraFacial studio, located at Dubai Hills Mall, Floor 1. Walk in any time — no booking required. 15 or 30 minutes. Always 149 AED. Women only.
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