--- title: "Do Pores Open and Close? Science Says No" description: "Learn why pores cannot open or close and what actually works to minimize their appearance." lang: en json-ld: | [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [ { "@type": "Question", "name": "Hot water opens your pores and cold water closes them.", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Pores are not muscles and cannot open or close. Hot water can soften debris inside pores making cleansing more effective but it does not change pore size." } } ] }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://schoolofdermatology.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Myth vs Fact", "item": "https://schoolofdermatology.com/myth-vs-fact" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Pores Open and Close With Hot and Cold Water", "item": "https://schoolofdermatology.com/myth-vs-fact/pores-open-and-close" } ] } ] --- [![School of Dermatology](/assets/logo-AGZDufdq.svg)](/) Articles [Skin Types](/skin-types) Tools [Glossary](/glossary) ![Pores Open and Close With Hot and Cold Water](https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1507003211169-0a1dd7228f2d?w=800&h=400&fit=crop&fm=webp) [Myth vs. Fact](/myth-vs-fact) # Pores Open and Close With Hot and Cold Water MYTH By Jamie Reeves, Licensed Esthetician July 18, 2024 4 min read ## The Claim "Hot water opens your pores and cold water closes them." ## The Science Pores are not muscles. They do not have the ability to open and close on command. This myth has persisted for decades, often repeated by beauty professionals and even some dermatologists, but it has no basis in skin physiology. What hot water and steam actually do is soften the sebum and debris trapped inside pores, making it easier to extract during cleansing. This gives the appearance of 'opening' pores, but the physical structure of the pore itself does not change. Similarly, cold water can temporarily cause slight constriction of the skin around pores, making them appear smaller, but this effect is temporary and superficial. Pore size is primarily determined by genetics and skin type. Oily skin tends to have larger, more visible pores because sebaceous glands produce more oil, stretching the pore opening over time. The most effective ways to minimize pore appearance are regular use of BHAs like salicylic acid, retinoids, and niacinamide — not water temperature. ### Key Takeaway Pores are not muscles and cannot open or close. Hot water can soften debris inside pores making cleansing more effective but it does not change pore size. ## Related Articles [ ![AHAs vs BHAs: Which Acid Is Right for Your Skin](https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1596755389378-c31d21fd1273?w=800&h=400&fit=crop&q=80&fm=webp) Ingredients ### AHAs vs BHAs: Which Acid Is Right for Your Skin Chemical exfoliation is one of the most effective steps you can add to your routine — but choosing the wrong acid for your skin type can do more harm than good. Jamie Reeves · 8 min read ](/articles/ingredients/ahas-vs-bhas-which-acid)[ ![Niacinamide: The Overachiever Ingredient That Does Everything](https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1620916566398-39f1143ab7be?w=800&h=400&fit=crop&q=80&fm=webp) Ingredients ### Niacinamide: The Overachiever Ingredient That Does Everything Niacinamide is one of the few ingredients that genuinely does almost everything it claims. Here's the evidence behind the hype. Jamie Reeves · 8 min read ](/articles/ingredients/niacinamide-overachiever-ingredient)[ ![Closed Comedones: Why They're Harder to Treat Than Regular Acne](https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1552693673-1bf958298935?w=800&h=400&fit=crop&q=80&fm=webp) Skin Concerns ### Closed Comedones: Why They're Harder to Treat Than Regular Acne Those tiny, flesh-colored bumps that refuse to come to a head? They're closed comedones — and they require a completely different treatment strategy than inflammatory acne. Jamie Reeves · 9 min read ](/articles/skin-concerns/closed-comedones-treatment) #### Ingredients - [Browse All](/topics/ingredients) #### Treatments - [Browse All](/topics/treatments) #### Skin Concerns - [Browse All](/topics/skin-concerns) #### Light Therapy - [Browse All](/topics/light-therapy) #### Skin Care - [Browse All](/topics/skin-care) #### Hair Care - [Browse All](/topics/hair-care) #### Resources - [Skincare Glossary](/glossary) - [All Articles](/articles) - [Contact Us](/contact) © 2026 School of Dermatology. All rights reserved. For educational purposes only. 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