Blackheads are small, open pores filled with oil and dead skin cells; their dark colour comes from exposure to air, not dirt. Enlarged pores are more visible openings on the skin, commonly around the nose, cheeks and forehead.
What causes blackheads and large pores?
Excess oil, a build-up of dead skin cells, genetics and loss of skin firmness can make pores appear larger. Blackheads form when material inside an open pore becomes oxidised, and they may be more common in oily or acne-prone skin.
