Pore Vacuums Are All Over Instagram, But Do They Really Work?

The amount of skincare content on Instagram and TikTok is truly staggering. And while a lot of it is

esthetician and dermatologist-approved (heck, a lot of it comes straight from derms in the first place—shout-out to dermatologist TikTok!), there's still a lot of misinformation that's circulated, too. Some of that misinformation surrounds the subject of pores—yes, those little openings in the skin that release sweat and sebum. 

First, let's talk about what we know to be true. We know pore size comes down to factors like genetics, skin type, and environmental factors, and while the idea that pores can open and close is little more than a myth, there are, in fact, certain things you can do to minimize the appearance of them. You can undergo professional extractions, which can improve the look of visible pores by manually removing packed sebum, makeup, dirt, and other debris. You can also use certain products and ingredients that are able to penetrate the pores and keep them clear.