Have you ever been startled by pores suddenly looking larger or foundation settling into every pore? You might wonder, “Why are my pores so noticeable lately?”

Many people first think of sebum control as the initial step for pore care, but often, the reality is that oil production has decreased, yet the pores still appear enlarged.

This is because it's a signal that the inner structure of the skin, not just the surface—especially the “elastic cushion around the pores” that maintains pore elasticity—has weakened.

If this cushion area becomes even slightly fatigued, the pore edges stretch, shadowing deepens, and pores become much clearer in photos. In other words, the skin’s message is not “my pores are big,” but “the elastic cushion supporting my pores is weakening, making pore minimization difficult!”

Accurately understanding your skin condition clarifies why the core of winter skin care isn't just about 'hydration and barrier' and how you need to change your approach to pore management.

Table of Contents

• Trend 1. What does the Elastic Cushion around the Pores look like?
• Trend 2. Why does Elastic Cushion Loss occur so easily?
• Trend 3. Solution for Restoring the Pore Elastic Cushion

Trend 1. What does the Elastic Cushion around the Pores look like?

“Pores have a supporting cushion?” While this might be new information for most, it is a crucial structure. Our skin is structured like a surprisingly sophisticated piece of architecture.

Even a single pore is firmly held by several cooperating layers: a collagen ring, elastin fibers, dermal structures, and fat pads. So, if your pores suddenly look more prominent, it might not be due to sebum, but rather a sign that one of these elastic cushions is slightly fatigued.

The pore we see is just the tip of the iceberg. True pore elasticity is created by the complex ‘elastic structure’ intertwined beneath the pore.

✔ Four Structures that Protect Pore Elasticity

• ① Collagen Ring - A circular fibrous structure that maintains the firmness of the pore opening. Proper elasticity management naturally makes the pore opening appear tightened.
• ② Elastin Resilience - Elastic fibers that help the pore edge snap back to its original shape. If elasticity drops, pores gradually appear enlarged and oval-shaped.
• ③ Subcutaneous Micro-Fat Pad = Elastic Cushion - Acts as a cushion supporting the pore from below. When this pad diminishes, the pore appears sunken and creates shadowing on the surface.
• ④ Dermal Density - The core factor determining the smoothness of the skin texture and the uniformity of the pores.

For these reasons, the formula Pore Care = Sebum Control is only half true, as you now understand! The real key is to restore pore elasticity by strengthening the surrounding cushion.

Trend 2. Why does Elastic Cushion Loss occur so easily?

When our pores look enlarged, we often think, “Is it just more dead skin today?” but much more complex things are happening inside the skin.

✔ Days when the skin suddenly looks dull and pores deepen

It is highly likely that the internal moisture and elasticity loss of the cushion around the pores have accelerated. Especially in winter, severe temperature and humidity changes easily weaken the structures protecting pore elasticity, significantly raising the difficulty level of winter skin care.

✔ Temperature Change is the Strongest Enemy of Pore Elasticity

When skin temperature drops, blood flow decreases, nutrient supply is reduced, and dermal water pressure falls, causing the elastic cushion supporting the pores to collapse rapidly. This is why pores suddenly appear enlarged even without excessive sebum.

✔ Barrier Weakening → Elasticity Decline → Pore Sagging

A weakened barrier increases moisture loss, and the elastic fibers at the pore edges are easily damaged. This is why barrier strengthening is emphasized in winter skin care. Knowing that pores open up not because of sebum but because the “internal support structure is weak” makes the direction of management much clearer.

Trend 3. Solution for Restoring the Pore Elastic Cushion

Want to shrink those constantly visible pores? The first thoughts are usually sebum and dead skin removal. However, these methods only clean the surface but won't make the pores smooth again.

Pores only naturally tighten and appear smaller when the ‘elastic cushion’ inside the skin is healthy. Therefore, if you want to minimize pores, “surface skin care” is secondary to “restoring the elastic cushion around the pores”!

1) Restoring Skin Temperature & Blood Flow

The skin actively regenerates elastic components when it is warm. Therefore, the first step in pore care is to “normalize skin temperature.”

• ① Quick moisturization within 30 seconds after cleansing
• ② Warm palm thermal massage
• ③ Use of low-irritation thermal devices
• ④ Avoid direct exposure to cold wind and heater blasts

Adhering to just these four points can make your pores feel less dilated!

2) 4-Fold Care Ingredients: Elasticity + Volume + Moisture + Barrier

Pores shrink not by managing the surface, but by filling the internal structure.

• ① Elasticity Strengthening Ingredients - Peptides, Retinol/Bakuchiol → Collagen Ring Restoration
• ② Volume Support Ingredients - Low-molecular Hyaluronic Acid, Amino Acid Complexes → Supporting pores with dermal water pressure
• ③ Barrier Strengthening Ingredients - Ceramide, Squalane → Enhancing the support structure of the pore edge
• ④ Antioxidant Protection - Vitamin C/E → Elastin Protection

3) Routine for Minimizing Skin Stress

Even changing a single lifestyle habit can alter the appearance of your pores!

• ① Use lukewarm water instead of hot water for cleansing
• ② Avoid excessive scrubbing
• ③ Gentle exfoliation once a week
• ④ Avoid direct heater drafts
• ⑤ Drink 1.5L of water daily

If you have been blaming enlarged pores on sebum, it is now beneficial to also look at what is happening beneath the skin's surface.

Pores are a highly responsive area; by slightly shifting your management direction, the elastic cushion can revive, pores naturally tighten, and skin texture becomes smooth.

By understanding and managing the internal skin structure, pore concerns can be improved much easier than you think. If you felt that “pore management is too difficult,” now that you know the core, you can manage them much more easily and effectively!