Skin Pores Facts, Myths, and Tips | Beauty of Joseon Blog

7 Pore Myths It’s Time to Stop Believing

Cold water tricks? Pore strips? Let’s separate the fact from the fiction.

If skincare TikTok has taught us anything, it’s that everyone has an opinion about pores. One person says ice water will shrink them. Another swears pore strips are the answer. Someone else claims you can erase them completely with the right routine. With so much advice floating around, it’s no surprise that pores have become one of the most misunderstood parts of skincare.

Pores are completely normal. Every single person has them. They’re an essential part of healthy skin, and despite what some viral skincare hacks might suggest, they’re not something you need to fight against.

What you can do is help pores look smoother, cleaner, and less noticeable with the right approach. We’re breaking down some of the biggest pore myths we hear all the time and talk about what actually works.

1. Myth: Your Pores Open and Close

This might be the most common pore myth of all. You’ve probably heard that doing something opens your pores up (causing them to look bigger) or closes them (making them invisible).

Pores don’t have tiny muscles around them, which means they can’t physically open and close. When people talk about “opening” pores with steam or “closing” them with cold water, what they’re usually seeing is a temporary change in how pores appear.

Warm temperatures can help soften oil and debris sitting in pores, making them easier to cleanse. Cooler temperatures can temporarily help skin look refreshed and reduce the appearance of puffiness, which may make pores appear less noticeable for a short period of time.

Instead of trying to open or close your pores, focus on keeping them clear and supporting smoother-looking skin. Our Pore Firming Serum was designed to help visibly refine the appearance of pores while supporting overall skin texture and balance.

2. Myth: You Can Permanently Shrink Your Pores

The visible size of your pores is largely influenced by genetics, skin type, and age. While skincare can’t permanently change your pore structure, it can temporarily help pores appear smaller and less noticeable.

When pores get congested with oil, dirt, and makeup, they look larger. As skin loses elasticity over time, pores may also appear more visible. That’s why the most effective pore care focuses on keeping skin balanced, smooth, and healthy-looking rather than trying to physically shrink pores (again, not possible).

Our pore care tip? Reach for Pore Firming Serum. It’s clinically tested to show a 21.47% temporary improvement in pore count, 23.09% temporary improvement in pore volume, 25.79% temporary improvement in pore area, and 15.22% temporary improvement in pore depth*.

*According to a 4-week clinical study of 21 subjects.

3. The Stronger the Product, The Smaller the Pores

If you know BOJ, you know we believe aggressive skincare isn’t always better. This is especially true with pore care.

It’s easy to assume that strong scrubs, intense acids, or drying formulas will deliver faster results. In reality, overdoing it can leave skin feeling irritated, dehydrated, and uncomfortable.

Healthy-looking skin often starts with a healthy moisture barrier. When skin feels balanced and supported, it can look smoother and more refined overall.

Focus on keeping your skin healthy, hydrated, and nourished to tackle the look of pores. That’s why Pore Firming Serum combines Red Bean PDRN™ and peptide in a silky, lightweight formula. These two ingredients give skin what it needs to help target the appearance of pores without sacrificing your moisture barrier.

4. Myth: You Should Squeeze Every Clogged Pore

We know, it’s really tempting. But picking, squeezing, and aggressively extracting clogged pores can sometimes leave skin looking more irritated than before. It may also temporarily make pores appear more noticeable, or make blemishes take longer to heal.

Instead of forcing congestion out manually, focus on gentle, consistent care that helps keep skin balanced over time. Try incorporating Red Bean Refreshing Pore Mask into your routine. The combination of red bean extract and kaolin clay helps absorb excess oil while gently exfoliating for smoother-looking skin. Plus, it’ll never leave your skin dried out.

5. Myth: DIY Pore Treatments Are Key

The internet has suggested everything from lemon juice to baking soda to toothpaste to “shrink your pores.” Please ignore.

Many DIY pore remedies can be overly harsh and may leave skin feeling irritated or compromised. Ingredients that belong in your kitchen don’t always belong on your face—except for red bean.

Choose products specifically formulated for your face. Reach for Red Bean Refreshing Pore Mask, Pore Firming Serum, and Red Bean Water Gel for gentle exfoliation, tested pore care, and sebum balancing, powered by red bean.

6. Myth: Sunscreen Clogs Pores

We’re here to defend our fave skincare step. Many people avoid applying facial SPF because they worry it will feel heavy or lead to congestion. These people don’t know BOJ. Daily sun protection is actually one of the most important parts of a pore-focused skincare routine.

UV exposure can contribute to visible signs of skin aging over time. As skin loses elasticity, pores can appear more noticeable. And SPF can actually help your skin look its best.

Look for lightweight, non-comedogenic sunscreen formulas that fit comfortably into your daily routine. Our Dayscreen Moisturizer SPF 30 is a match made in heaven for the sunscreen-averse. It’s clinically tested to be non-comedogenic**, which means it won’t clog your pores. It leaves behind a natural, fresh finish that layers beautifully with the rest of your routine.

**According to a 4-week clinical study of 22 subjects.

7. Myth: Cold Water Closes Your Pores

Just like pores can’t physically open and close, cold water can’t actually seal them shut. That said, there’s a reason this myth has stuck around for so long. Cooling skin can temporarily help reduce puffiness, and make pores appear less noticeable. Skin often looks fresher, smoother, and more refined after a cooling treatment, which can create the illusion of smaller pores.

If you love that refreshed, post-cold-water feeling, look for skincare that delivers a cooling effect and supports smoother-looking skin. Our Pore Firming Serum was clinically shown to improve skin temperature (cooling effect) by 24.38%***. Your skin will feel refreshed, and you’ll notice a better overall skin texture.

***According to a 4-week clinical study of 21 subjects.

Now you have all the pore knowledge you need, so you can better understand the philosophy behind our red bean pore care collection. By combining gentle ingredients and barrier-friendly formulas, these essentials are here to help improve the appearance of pores without stressing out your skin.

Remember: You don’t need an ice bath or a magic wand to see improvements in the appearance of your pores. You just need some Hanbang help.

Put Your Newfound Pore Knowledge to Work