A pore is a small opening on the skin surface through which substances such as sweat or sebum can reach the surface.
In everyday skin care, “pore” commonly refers to the visible openings associated with hair follicles and sebaceous glands. Sweat glands also have openings onto the skin surface, but these are not the same structures as follicular openings.
Pores do not literally open and close like doors. Their apparent size can vary with factors such as sebum, follicular contents, skin structure, and lighting.
QUICK FACT
What people commonly call an “acne-prone pore” is usually associated with a hair follicle and its sebaceous gland.
COMMONLY CONFUSED WITH
- Hair follicle: the deeper structure from which a hair grows.
- Comedone: material accumulated within a blocked follicular opening.
SEE ALSO