Clear them. Don't try closing them.

No honest plan can promise that. Pore size is largely genetic and affected by age and sun exposure, and pores can't be permanently closed. What the plan does is make them look smaller by controlling oil, clearing congestion and, over time, improving texture. Four weeks often shows less shine and clogging; retinoids usually need two to three months for their full effect.

Often sebaceous filaments — a normal part of skin that looks like blackheads but refills within weeks. Pore strips and squeezing can't remove them permanently and can irritate skin or leave marks. Salicylic acid and niacinamide help keep them less noticeable.

Week one: a gentle cleanser, niacinamide and a light oil-free sunscreen. Week two: add salicylic acid two or three evenings a week. Week three: if suitable, add a low-strength retinoid two nights a week, on nights without salicylic acid. Week four: compare with your first photo and settle into a long-term routine. One new thing at a time makes irritation easy to trace.

No — avoid retinoids if you're pregnant, breastfeeding or trying to conceive, and ask a doctor before using other actives. The rest of the plan — gentle cleansing, niacinamide, sunscreen and weekly clay masks — still helps.

If you have painful or cystic acne, rosacea, eczema or scarring, or if pores and texture still bother you after a few months of a steady routine. A dermatologist can also discuss professional options such as chemical peels and other in-clinic treatments.