Open Pores Skin is the largest organ of the body. It contains millions of pores, even if most of them are not visible to the human eye. All of these pores are open, allowing the skin to “breathe.” Each pore contains a hair follicle. Each pore also contains sebaceous (oil) glands that make an oil called sebum. The sebaceous glands are most abundant in the pores on your face, back, chest, and groin. Hormones play a role in stimulating these glands in order to produce more abundant quantities of sebum. That’s why the pores on your face, most specifically those on your nose, forehead, and cheeks, may appear larger than they do on other areas of your body. Any skin type, whether it’s oily, normal, or dry, can take on the appearance of having large, open pores. These may give your skin a dull appearance, particularly if they’re clogged with dirt, bacteria, oil, or dead skin cells. While not a medical concern, open pores can be a cosmetic issue for some people who do not like the way their skin looks. In adolescents, and in adults who are prone to acne, open pores may become clogged, turning into blackheads or whiteheads. Aging skin containing less collagen may also take on the appearance of having larger, open pores, which might also cause concern.