How Can I Improve My Skin Texture and Pore Size? Real Tips That Work

Understanding Skin Texture and Pores: What’s Really Going On?

Okay, first things first — skin texture and pore size are totally normal concerns. We all want that smooth, airbrushed kind of glow, right? But skin isn’t meant to look like plastic. It's alive. It breathes. And yes, it has pores.

Still, when texture gets bumpy or pores look like craters (been there), it can feel frustrating. Here's the thing: a lot of factors contribute — genetics, age, hormones, skincare habits, pollution, even your pillowcase. Ugh, I know.

But the good news? You can improve things. Maybe not overnight, but it’s totally doable.

Daily Skincare Routine Tweaks That Actually Help

Gentle Exfoliation — but not the scrubby kind

You might think rough scrubs = smoother skin. Nah. They can do more harm than good. Instead, go for chemical exfoliants like AHAs (glycolic acid, lactic acid) or BHAs (salicylic acid) — these dissolve dead skin and unclog pores.

I swear by a 2% salicylic toner every other night — keeps my forehead smooth like a baby’s cheek.

Quick tip: don’t overdo it. Start 2-3 times a week or your skin might freak out.

Consistent cleansing (but easy on the stripping stuff)

Double cleansing at night (oil cleanser + gentle water-based cleanser) helps remove SPF, makeup, grime, all the gunk. Just avoid cleansers with harsh sulfates — they can mess with your barrier and make everything worse.

Honestly, I used to wash with just water in the morning — and my skin liked it. Try it and see.

Hydration and barrier repair

Here’s where a lot of people slip. Skin that’s dehydrated or irritated looks rougher and makes pores seem bigger. Look for humectants (like hyaluronic acid), ceramides, and niacinamide — that one’s a multi-tasker: helps texture, oil control, and pores.

Professional Treatments That Really Do Something

Microneedling

Tiny needles poking your face might sound scary, but this treatment stimulates collagen, smooths texture, and tightens pores over time. It’s not instant, but after 3-4 sessions? Game-changer.

Chemical Peels

A controlled way to shed old, dull skin and reveal smoother, clearer layers underneath. Stronger than your regular exfoliants at home — but yeah, downtime might be a thing depending on the peel.

One time I got a light glycolic peel before a wedding (maybe not the best timing), and I peeled for three days. But after? Glowy AF.

Laser Resurfacing

This is more hardcore (and pricey), but super effective for major texture issues. Fraxel, CO2 — these babies go deep. Definitely talk to a derm though.

Lifestyle Habits That Impact Texture and Pores More Than You Think

Diet & hydration

It’s boring, but true. What you eat shows up on your face. Greasy food, dairy (ugh, sorry cheese lovers), and sugar can make inflammation worse. Try upping your water, greens, and omega-3s instead. Skin loves that stuff.

Oh and alcohol? Yeah… not your skin’s bestie.

Stress & sleep

When you’re stressed, your skin can produce more oil = clogged pores and breakouts. And poor sleep messes with repair cycles. Try chilling out (I know, easier said than done) and getting your solid 7-8 hours.

Honestly, the week I started sleeping before midnight, I noticed fewer bumps on my cheeks. Coincidence? Maybe. But I’ll take it.

Don’t pick!

Please, for the love of skin, stop squeezing your pores or picking at bumps. It stretches pores and causes texture issues. Get a blackhead strip if you must (they’re oddly satisfying), but be gentle.

Best Ingredients to Look For in Products

• Niacinamide – minimizes appearance of pores, evens skin tone

• Retinoids – boosts cell turnover, smooths out texture long term

• Salicylic acid – goes deep into pores and clears them out

• Azelaic acid – calms redness and smooths texture

• Lactic acid – exfoliates + hydrates = win-win

Mixing too many actives can cause irritation though. So maybe don’t go full chemist mode all at once.

Final Thoughts: Be Patient, Not Perfect

So yeah, improving skin texture and pore size is a process. It’s not about having zero pores (that’s not real), but about making them less noticeable and helping your skin feel healthy and smooth.

Give things time, test what works for your face (not your friend’s or some influencer’s), and remember: real skin has texture. And that’s 100% okay.

But also… smooth skin does feel really nice. So go get it, slow and steady.

Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?

The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.