What are the common misunderstandings about pore care?
This answer is a draft. It stays unpublished until legal review and source verification are complete.
Worrying about pores is universal, but much of what is said about dealing with them is impossible given how skin is built. In Japan there is a second layer to this: the law tightly limits what a cosmetic product is allowed to claim, and "pore" claims sit right at that boundary.
How pores are built
A pore is the channel through which sebum and sweat leave the skin. It has no muscle for opening and closing, so it has no door-like ability to shut. Hair follicles do have the arrector pili muscle (the one that raises goose bumps), but that muscle does not close the mouth of the pore.
The causes dermatologists cite for visible pores are sebum secretion, loosening of the skin with age, build-up of dirt, and dryness. Dealing with these factors, rather than "tightening", is the approach that matches reality.
In addition, the efficacy claims cosmetics may make in Japan are limited to 56 items by a notice from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, and "closes pores" and "makes pores disappear" fall outside that list.
[Verify] The structural explanation is based on explanations from several dermatology and cosmetic dermatology clinics. Check against Japanese Dermatological Association materials before publication.
Misunderstanding 1｜Cold water tightens them
The appearance may change for a moment, but the structure does not change.
Misunderstanding 2｜Scrubbing hard gets the dirt out
Rubbing puts a friction load on the skin. Reducing what is left behind each day is more realistic than using force.
Misunderstanding 3｜Squeezing solves it
Squeezing on your own can put strain on the surrounding skin. If it bothers you, see a dermatology clinic (covered by Japanese health insurance).
Misunderstanding 4｜Use peel-off products often
Follow the product label for how often to use it. More often is not better.
Misunderstanding 5｜Cosmetics can make pores disappear
As above, that is not an accurate statement, either in law or in anatomy.
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Sources
- Japanese Dermatological Association, "Dermatology Q&A" [皮膚科Q&A]
https://www.dermatol.or.jp/qa/
- Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, "Revision of the scope of efficacy claims for cosmetics" [化粧品の効能の範囲の改正について] (Notice Yakushoku-hatsu 0721 No. 1, 21 July 2011)
https://www.mhlw.go.jp/file/06-Seisakujouhou-11120000-Iyakushokuhinkyoku/kesyouhin_hanni_20111.pdf
- National Consumer Affairs Center of Japan [国民生活センター]
https://www.kokusen.go.jp/
⚠️ Editorial note: the source URLs above were identified by search. Our working environment cannot reach go.jp domains, so the contents have not been checked against the text. Verify every source before publication and record who checked it and when.
About this article
What we share here are ideas and everyday practices passed down among people living in Japan, together with general information drawn from public sources. They are not official recommendations, and they are not professional instruction. Practices vary between households and regions.
This is general information. Results vary from person to person and depend on your own conditions and surroundings.
Please decide for yourself, using your own judgement, whether any of this suits your situation. We cannot accept responsibility for any damage, loss or injury arising from following this article.
Cosmetics are not medicines and are not meant to diagnose, heal or prevent any condition. If your skin reacts, stop using the product and see a dermatologist.
Sources
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