By Ggot-song Kim, a Seoul-based K-lifestyle curator. With years of personal experience navigating the challenges of oily, combination skin, Ggot-song is dedicated to sharing tried-and-true solutions that truly work.
This is the ultimate guide on how to minimize pores using the K-Beauty method.
Pore care is a major concern, especially for those with oily or combination skin. While K-Beauty can’t make pores disappear, it offers many ways to make them appear significantly smaller. Seoul-based beauty expert Ggot-song reveals her 5-step routine to achieve a clean and smooth complexion!
A Quick Note: Can You Actually “Shrink” Pores?
It’s important to know that you can’t permanently change your pore size, which is determined by genetics. So, when we talk about how to minimize pores, we are really talking about making them appear smaller. We do this by keeping them clean of debris, controlling excess oil, and improving skin elasticity so the pore walls are tighter. This K-Beauty approach is the most effective long-term strategy for how to minimize pores.

Step 1: The Deep Double Cleanse
- The Goal: To create a clean canvas by removing sebum and dead skin from within the pores.
- Ggot-song’s Pro-Tip: “I used to try to extract blackheads with nose packs, but my pores just got wider. That’s when I started double cleansing with an oil cleanser + BHA foam cleanser combo. After using the COSRX Salicylic Acid Cleanser to melt away dead skin and sebum, my blackheads gradually faded!”

Step 2: The Clay Mask Ritual (1-2 times a week)
- The Goal: To absorb excess sebum and remove impurities from deep within the pores.
- Ggot-song’s Pro-Tip: “It’s important to wash off a clay mask before it dries completely. I rinse off the Innisfree Volcanic Clay Mask after 10 minutes. If you leave it on for too long, your skin can get dry, which actually causes more oil production. Always follow up with a moisturizer!”

Step 3: The Pore-Tightening Toner
- The Goal: To temporarily tighten the appearance of pores and control sebum.
- Ggot-song’s Pro-Tip: “Using a toner on a cotton pad (‘ddak-to’) is great for removing dead skin and residue, while a ‘toner pack’ provides intensive hydration. When I wipe my T-zone with the medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0, it controls sebum while replenishing moisture, making my pores look less prominent.”

Step 4: The Elasticity-Boosting Serum
- The Goal: To strengthen the pore walls by boosting skin elasticity.
- Ggot-song’s Pro-Tip: “Niacinamide is effective not only for minimizing pores but also for improving skin tone. While using the Numbuzin No. 3 Skin Softening Serum, I felt my skin become more elastic and my pores looked tighter. Peptides are also great for elasticity, so add a peptide serum if you want anti-aging care!”

Step 5: The Lightweight Moisturizer
- The Goal: To provide light hydration and prevent clogged pores.
- Ggot-song’s Pro-Tip: “I used to use rich creams, but it just made my skin explode with oil. After switching to a gel-type moisturizer, my skin felt hydrated with a non-greasy finish. The Dr.G Red Blemish Cream is a gel-cream texture that’s perfect for oily-combination skin!”

Final Thoughts
Consistency is the Key to “Pore-fection”
Minimizing the appearance of pores is a journey, not an overnight miracle. The K-Beauty approach is all about consistency. By sticking to a routine that focuses on deep cleansing, sebum control, and maintaining skin elasticity, you can achieve a significantly smoother and clearer complexion. It’s not about erasing your pores, but about keeping them clean and healthy. Trust this 5-step process, be patient, and start your journey to achieving “pore-fection” today!