It started one hot June morning. After finishing my skincare, I looked in the mirror and saw that my skin looked bumpy and I couldn’t ignore it. Almost like the texture had changed overnight. My pores which were normally well-behaved, now looked like small craters in the morning light.
At first, I thought I hadn’t washed my face properly. Or maybe I’d forgotten sunscreen the day before. But the truth was simpler — and more universal.
If you find that your skin gets more oily, uneven or your makeup starts to fade by noon, many people experience the same thing. The pores on your face tend to stand out more in summer and this is not due to your age or the products you use.
In this post, I’ll walk you through why this happens, what I tried (including a few missteps), and how I found a routine that actually helped. You don’t have to be a skincare enthusiast to need these tips; they’re suitable for all who are feeling tired or rundown.
Why summer makes pores look bigger
Here’s the part I didn’t expect: it’s not always about your products — it’s about the weather. And more specifically, what heat and humidity do to your skin’s behavior.
The science behind the shine
When temperatures rise, your skin kicks into protection mode. That means:
- Increased sweat and oil production to cool your body down
- Dilated blood vessels, which can make skin look puffier
- Higher humidity, which traps sweat, oil, and product residue on your skin
And when that extra oil mixes with dead skin cells and daily grime? It fills your pores and stretches them — making them look larger and more shadowed.
I used to think my pores were getting “clogged” just because of makeup. But even on makeup-free days, they looked more visible. Turns out, it’s not just what goes on your face — it’s also what’s coming out of it.
How my routine made it worse — without me realizing
This shift crept up on me. I’d changed nothing — same cleanser, same toner, same trusty SPF. But I was starting to look shiny by 11 a.m., and my skin felt like it had a sticky film, even when it looked clean.
Here’s what I thought was helping (but wasn’t):
- Using harsh cleansers that left my skin squeaky clean — and overly dry
- Skipping moisturizer in the morning because I thought it made me oily
- Piling on matte foundations and powders that settled into my pores
- Applying SPF directly on oily skin, thinking I was doing my skin a favor
I was unintentionally putting my skin into survival mode. It responded the only way it knew how: by producing more oil and clinging onto anything it could to protect itself.
The result? A shiny, uneven texture with visibly enlarged pores — even after cleansing.
The 3 steps that finally changed my summer skin
This is where it all shifted. Instead of stripping my skin or trying to hide the shine, I decided to listen to it. I treated my pores like a living part of me — not a flaw to erase.
1. Gentle cleansing — twice a day, no more, no less
My old gel cleanser had a pH closer to dish soap. Now I use a low-pH formula that doesn’t leave my skin tight. It removes oil and sweat, but it doesn’t yell at my skin in the process.
→ My favorite trick: cleanse once in the morning, and then again at night with a two-step cleanse (micellar water or oil-based cleanser first, then gel).
2. Hydration without heaviness
I stopped skipping moisturizer. Instead, I found lightweight gel-based creams that soothe my skin without adding grease. Bonus: they help balance oil production naturally.
→ Ingredients that helped: niacinamide, green tea extract, and panthenol.
3. Clean SPF application — over calm, balanced skin
This was the real game-changer. I started applying sunscreen after letting my skincare fully absorb, on clean, matte skin. No more slathering SPF over leftover oil or sweat.
→ Now, I use formulas with rice extract or probiotics, which wear like a light lotion.
The products that actually made a difference
This is the part I get asked about most. So here’s my honest shortlist of products that didn’t just sound good — they worked for my skin during peak summer heat.
| Product | Type | Why I Loved It |
|---|---|---|
| COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel | Cleanser | Gentle, non-drying, balances oil without stripping |
| Isntree Green Tea Fresh Toner | Toner | Soothing, calms redness, perfect prep for hydration |
| Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun | SPF | Lightweight, non-greasy, doesn’t clog pores |
| Iunik Tea Tree Relief Serum | Serum | Reduced oiliness and made skin feel calm, not tight |
These products won’t shrink your pores overnight (spoiler: nothing really will), but they help your skin behave better, which makes pores appear smaller and more refined.
What to keep in mind if you want to shrink your pores (visually)
Here’s the thing: you can’t physically shrink a pore. Pores don’t have muscles — they can’t “tighten.” But you can make them look smaller by keeping them clean, balanced, and calm.
What’s helped me — and could help you too:
- Be consistent, not aggressive — no need to scrub daily
- Hydrate your skin, even when it feels oily — especially then
- Apply SPF every single day, no matter the weather
- Limit pore strips and clay masks — use only when truly needed
- Avoid layering too many actives in summer (like AHA, BHA, and retinol all at once)
Want to make a visible difference? Focus on keeping your skin clean and moisturized, not one or the other.
A quick breakdown: what helps vs what doesn’t
This one’s for the visual learners — and for the moments when you’re standing in the skincare aisle debating a product.
| Strategy | Helps | Doesn’t Help |
|---|---|---|
| Consistent double cleansing | ✅ | ❌ One-off deep clean |
| Light gel moisturizers | ✅ | ❌ Skipping hydration entirely |
| Oil-free SPF | ✅ | ❌ Skipping sunscreen “just for today” |
| Weekly clay mask (max 1x) | ✅ | ❌ Daily detox masks |
| Niacinamide serums | ✅ | ❌ Overusing strong acids in heat |
📌 Save this chart for your next routine reset.
3 habits that helped me feel more confident in my summer skin
Let me show you how this routine shaped more than just my pores. It changed how I felt in my own skin — and made me enjoy summer again.
1. I simplified my routine
No more 10-step layering. I cut it down to:
- Gentle cleanser
- Lightweight toner or serum
- Gel moisturizer
- SPF (always)
Using fewer products reduces the amount of buildup and helps your skin stay relaxed.
2. I switched to breathable makeup
I stopped using heavy foundations and started using tinted moisturizers or mineral powder. There are days when I don’t do it at all and it makes me feel better.
3. I embraced my natural glow
I began using blotting papers instead of applying more powder in the middle of the day. It’s possible for skin to be radiant instead of oily if you treat it gently.
Final thoughts — from one summer skin survivor to another
What I really wish I knew is that perfect summer skin is simply not necessary. It’s meant to protect you. And those visible pores? They’re part of that process.
Still, it’s not true that you have to keep dealing with skin that feels clogged or irritating. Making a few clever changes and giving it time can help you reach a look and feel that satisfy you.
Pin this if you’re planning your summer skincare reset.
What is one thing you did this season that made your skin feel better? I’d love to hear.
