Nose pores are larger than those in other areas, and if clogged, they can become more noticeable. Some skin care products may help pores appear smaller by cleansing and moisturizing the skin.

Nose pores are the openings to the hair follicles on your skin. Attached to these follicles are sebaceous glands. These glands produce a natural oil called sebum, which moisturizes your skin.

While pores are necessary for skin health, they can come in different sizes. Nose pores are naturally larger than those on other parts of your skin. This is because the sebaceous glands underneath them are larger, too.

You may notice enlarged nose pores more if you have oily skin, as they can become easily clogged. They can also be genetic.

While you can’t shrink large nose pores, you can make them appear smaller and less noticeable.

Read on to learn all the culprits behind enlarged nose pores and what you can do to help prevent them.

Nose pores are inherently larger. If the pores on your nose get clogged, this can become more noticeable.

Clogged pores typically consist of a combination of sebum and dead skin cells that get stuck in the hair follicles beneath. This creates “plugs” that can harden and enlarge the follicle walls, making the pores more noticeable.

More individual causes of clogged pores and enlargement include:

  • acne
  • excess oil production (common in oily skin types)
  • dry skin (ironically, having dry skin can make pores more noticeable due to an increase in sebum production and accumulation of dead skin cells on the surface of your skin)
  • using skin care products that clog pores (that aren’t noncomedogenic)
  • lack of exfoliation, which causes a buildup of dead skin cells
  • increased humidity
  • heat
  • sun exposure, especially if you don’t wear sunscreen
  • genes (if your parents have oily skin and large nose pores, you’re more likely to have them)
  • hormone fluctuations, such as during menstruation or puberty
  • alcohol or caffeine consumption (these can dry out your skin and lead to increased sebum production)
  • not getting enough of certain nutrients in your diet (while no specific foods cause acne, plant-based diets may help with skin health)
  • extreme stress
  • not caring for your skin regularly (such as not washing your face twice a day or wearing oil-based makeup)

The first step to resolving nose pores is to ensure they’re clean. Oil, dirt, and makeup can lead to clogged nose pores.

Remove all makeup before bed

Wearing oil-free noncomedogenic products doesn’t give you a pass for bedtime makeup removal. Even the most skin-friendly makeup products can clog your pores if you leave them on overnight.

Your first step to unclogging nose pores is to ensure they’re cosmetic-free before bed. You should also remove makeup before washing your face to ensure the cleanser can work more effectively in your nose pores.

Cleanse twice a day

Cleansing removes leftover makeup, oil, dirt, and bacteria from your pores. Ideally, you should do this twice a day. You might also need to cleanse again during the day if you work out.

Oily skin is served best with a gentle, gel- or cream-based cleanser. These will help clean out nose pores without irritating them, making them even more noticeable.

Learn which cleansers work best for oily skin or dry skin,

Use the right moisturizer

Even though your nose pores might produce more sebum, you still need to follow up each cleanse with a moisturizer. This prevents overdrying, which can worsen nose pore issues. Look for a water or gel-based product that won’t clog your pores.

Learn which moisturizers work best for oily skin, dry skin, or sensitive skin.

Deep-clean your pores with a clay mask

Clay masks help draw out plugs in your pores and can also help give the appearance of smaller pores. For best results, use two to three times per week. If the rest of your face is dryer, feel free to use the clay mask on your nose only.

Exfoliate dead skin cells

Use an exfoliating product two to three times a week to help remove dead skin cells that may be clogging your pores. The key is to massage the product onto your nose and let it do the heavy lifting—scrubbing the exfoliant into your skin will only cause further aggravation.

Try over-the-counter acne products

OTC acne products usually contain salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide. The latter may be helpful if you have an active acne breakout on your nose, but it doesn’t do much to decrease pore size. Salicylic acid is far more helpful in this area because it dries out dead skin cells deep in the pores, essentially unclogging them.

When used over time, salicylic acid may help your pores appear smaller on your nose by keeping dead skin cells and oil at bay.

Just be sure you’re not overdoing it, as this can dry out your skin. A once or twice-daily use of a salicylic acid-containing cleanser, toner, or spot treatment is enough to treat large pores.

Other OTC products and steps

You can also keep your nose pores clear with these over-the-counter (OTC) products available at drugstores or online:

Although nose strips may remove blackheads, they may also remove natural oils, leading to irritation and dryness.

You can also try noninvasive cosmetic procedures to reduce the appearance of nose pores. It’s best to work with a licensed dermatologist to find what will work best for your skin, especially if these procedures are new to you.

Microdermabrasion

Microdermabrasion uses a blend of small crystals or diamond-crystal-tipped tools to remove the top layer of your skin. This process also removes any dead skin cells and oils on the surface of your skin.

You can use a home microdermabrasion kit once a week. But avoid using it on the same day as clay masks or exfoliants, as this will dry out your nose.

You can also schedule a microdermabrasion session with a licensed dermatologist.

Chemical peels

Chemical peels can also help reduce the appearance of pores.

Like microdermabrasion treatments, chemical peels remove the top layer of skin. In theory, the skin cells under this layer will be softer and more even. This more even appearance will also make nose pores look smaller.

It’s best to get a chemical peel from a licensed dermatologist, though some people try at-home chemical peels as well.

Glycolic acid is a common ingredient in chemical peels, but you can also find peels that use other alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs), such as:

  • citric acid
  • lactic acid
  • malic acid

Determining which AHA works best for your nose pores can take some trial and error. Chemical peels can also cause severe irritation and burns and may increase the likelihood of sunburn. Some dermatologists recommend avoiding them during the summer months.

The key to “shrinking” nose pores is to keep them clean and unclogged of any debris.

If you aren’t having luck with at-home treatments, consult a dermatologist for their advice.

They may also offer professional-grade treatments, such as medical-grade chemical peels, laser treatments, or dermabrasion.