No less unsightly, pores can enlarge and become visible, compromising the clarity of the complexion. Peeling, AHA creams, electric face brushes... various solutions are proposed to "mask" them and regain a clear skin texture. What about the effect of mandelic acid on these small imperfections?
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Mandelic acid, an active ingredient for tightening pores.
Summary
- Enlarged Pores: What leads to their formation?
- Mandelic Acid for Refining Enlarged Pores?
- Dilated pores, Typology's treatments to tighten them
Published February 13, 2023,
updated on September 8, 2025,
by
Stéphanie, PhD, Doctorate in Life and Health Sciences
—
5 min read
Enlarged Pores: What leads to their formation?
The term pores actually refers to the end of a pilosebaceous canal, which connects the sebaceous and sweat glands to the external environment. They allow sebum and sweat to pass through, but it can happen that the pores become visible. The more they are dilated, the more impurities settle in, and blackheads and pimples form. This issue is especially noticeable on the T-zone and extending to the cheeks. There are numerous reasons for the dilation of a pore .
Sebum Production: The size of your pores varies depending on the amount of sebum you produce. Indeed, their accumulation stretches the pores and gradually enlarges them.
Quantity of dead cells: another factor that determines the size of the pores is the presence of a large number of dead cells on the skin. Their accumulation can further clog the pores.
Aging Process: As we age, our pores stretch and occupy an increasingly larger surface area of the skin. The cause? The degradation of collagen levels, which results in a loosening of their structure.
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Mandelic Acid for Refining Enlarged Pores?
Themandelic acid is a naturally occurring fruit acid (bitter almond) belonging to the family of alpha-hydroxy-acids (AHA), similar to glycolic acid and lactic acid. It is commonly used for its exfoliating properties and its gentleness, explained by its high molecular weight. This virtue is particularly exploited in skincare formulas to tighten pores. Clogged with impurities, the act of removing excess dead skin cells and initiating cell renewal gradually eliminates pore obstruction and promotes pore evacuation, which is the cause of its dilation. Through an indirect mechanism, the pores thus regain their "normal" shape.
Several weeks may be necessary to eliminate this "mandarin peel" textured epidermis.
Dilated pores, Typology's treatments to tighten them.
Pores are natural and cannot be completely eradicated, but it is possible to temporarily refine them. Indeed, sebum production and pore size are genetically determined parameters. At Typology, we offer two treatments to reduce their size, particularly by cleansing the skin and exfoliating it. Moreover, these products can be incorporated into your skincare routine to prevent the appearance of enlarged pores.
The peeling gel mask allows for the removal of dead cells that accumulate on the skin, thereby giving a tightened appearance to pores and thus limiting the appearance of blemishes thanks to its dose of AHA and PHA in the formula, in addition to providing a boost of radiance to the complexion.
How to use it? Apply it to the face in a semi-thick layer, one to two times per week, only in the evening. Then, let it sit for 10 minutes before rinsing it off with warm water.
The exfoliating night cream with 6% AHA and pink grapefruit extract is a treatment that can help pores return to a "normal" size and allow for better sebum flow. Night after night, the combination of mandelic acid, glycolic acid and pink grapefruit extract (INCI name: Citrus Paradisi (Grapefruit) Fruit Extract) eliminates dead cells accumulated on the surface that could have ended up in the pores, enlarging them with a significant and non-negligible risk of turning into blackheads.
How to use it? In the evening, after the serum on clean, dry skin, apply a dab of cream over the entire face and neck. Start with one to two applications per day for a few weeks before transitioning to daily use.
If the cause of pore enlargement is an overproduction of sebum or skin laxity, there is no possible solution to reduce their visibility to the naked eye.
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