Enlarged Pores: Is Hyaluronic Acid a Solution?

The pores are small gaps present on the skin's surface that allow the flow of sweat and sebum. Normally almost invisible, they can dilate and become apparent, allowing impurities to settle and imperfections to form. This issue primarily affects oily skin, and pore dilation is often due to excessive sebum production, but it can also result from an accumulation of dead cells or the loosening of skin tissues. Indeed, the gradual decrease in collagen production is accompanied by a sagging of the skin structures. The pores then stretch and occupy an increasingly larger skin surface.

While AHA's such as glycolic acid and mandelic acid are very effective in reducing the visibility of pores, no scientific study shows that topical application of hyaluronic acid can act in this way. However, some recent studies have looked at the effects of this molecule when injected. Particularly known for their action on wrinkles, hyaluronic acid injections help to stimulate collagen synthesis in the dermis, which also influences pore dilation. Indeed, this firms up the skin structures and ensures the proper maintenance of the pore. However, hyaluronic acid cannot act on the two other causes of pore dilation: excessive sebum production and too rapid cell renewal. Moreover, the effects obtained are temporary and last between 6 and 24 months.

A preliminary study, conducted in 2017 by FAN and his team, involved 42 individuals seeking to reduce the visibility of their pores. Each participant received intra-dermal injections of 2.5 mL (25 mg) of low molecular weight hyaluronic acid across the entire face. This treatment was repeated two to five times with a one to one and a half month interval between injections. After 6 months, the average improvement in the participants' skin issues was evaluated at 40% using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test, a statistical test. Moreover, skin radiance and pigmentation were better after the treatment than before. No infections or nodules were reported at the injection sites, and patients only experienced temporary bruising. The satisfaction of the 42 subjects after 6 months was collected and is detailed in the table below.