Dealing with large pores and dry skin? You’re not alone. In Singapore’s relentless humidity, your pores go overdrive while your skin dehydrates the second you step out. But how do some achieve that coveted blurred, glass-skin effect on this sunny island?
It’s all about nailing the right skincare ingredients to tackle both issues head-on. Ahead, we’ve put together your ultimate ingredient guide for minimising pores and keeping dry skin beautifully hydrated.
Why Do You Have Large Pores and Dry Skin?
Large pores and dry skin are a common icky combo. When skin lacks moisture, it loses elasticity, causing pores to look larger and more prominent. Throw in genetics, age, and sun exposure, and you have a recipe for crater-sized pores.
Dry skin also triggers excess oil production, clogging pores and making them look even bigger. The culprit? — dehydration and a weakened skin barrier.
Effects of Large Pores and Dry Skin
TLDR: Large pores and dry skin are the main reasons for cakey patchy make-up and uneven skin tone
The large pores and dry skin combo can wreak havoc on your complexion. It can lead to:
- Dullness and Rough Texture: Dehydration causes your skin to look dull and feel rough.
- Visible Fine Lines and Wrinkles: Dry skin emphasises fine lines, making you look older than you are.
- Makeup Struggles: Makeup settles into large pores, giving you that uneven, patchy look.
Best Skincare Ingredients for Enlarged Pores and Dry Skin
Minimise the appearance of large pores and keep dry skin at bay with the right ingredients. Here’s a rundown of the best skincare ingredients that work wonders for both:

Hyaluronic Acid
Did you know that 1 gram (or 0.03 oz.) of hyaluronic acid can hold up to six LITERS of water? It attracts moisture to the skin, plumping it up and making large pores less visible. Our best-selling Hyarum Serum is made with 97% pure Hyaluronic Acid for hydration that lasts all day.
Niacinamide
Niacinamide (Vitamin B3), is a multitasker that tightens pores, evens skin tone, and boosts moisture. It’s a gentle powerhouse found in serums and moisturisers that can smooth out skin texture and keep dry patches at bay.
Glycerin
Glycerin acts as a moisture magnet, drawing water into the outer layer of your skin. Often found in cleansers, serums, and creams, it’s great for keeping dry skin hydrated and making pores look smaller.
Ceramides
Ceramides help restore your skin’s protective barrier, which is often compromised when your skin is dry. It locks in moisture and improves skin elasticity, reducing the appearance of large pores.
Lactic Acid
A gentle exfoliant that clears away dead skin cells, making your pores appear smaller and your skin smoother. It’s perfect for dry skin because it exfoliates without causing further dehydration.
Squalane
Squalane mimics your skin’s natural sebum, providing deep hydration without clogging pores. It’s ideal for balancing moisture levels and reducing the appearance of large pores.
Peptides
Peptides boost collagen production, improving your skin’s elasticity and firmness. Add peptide moisturisers into your skincare to increase elasticity for tighter-looking pores and a smoother complexion.
Retinoids
Retinoids are a must-have for tackling both large pores and dry skin. Usually, retinol moisturisers or serums, speed up cell turnover, which helps unclog pores and smooth out the skin’s texture.
Step-by-Step Skincare Routine
Here’s a simple routine to help manage large pores and dry skin (Or scroll down for the simplest but effective AM/PM routine!):
- Cleanse/Exfoliate: Use a gentle, hydrating cleanser to remove dirt without stripping your skin. Use a lactic acid-based exfoliant 2-3 times/week to clear dead skin cells.
- Tone: Opt for a toner with Hyaluronic acid or Glycerin to add moisture and prep your skin.
- Serum and Moisturise: Lather on serums and moisturisers packed with Niacinamide, Peptide, Ceramide and Squalene to enrich and restore the skin barrier.
- Retinoid (Night Routine): Apply retinoid at night, 2-3 times/week to refine pores and improve texture.
- SPF (Day routine): Apply SPF 50 sunscreen as your last step.
Opt for our Age Repair and All-1N-One Glow Series that complement one another for your perfect morning and night skincare routine!

Do I Need Professional Treatment? — It Depends.
Yes, it depends, and mainly on these 3 factors:
- Products Not Working: If your pores and rough skin aren’t improving, it’s time to try something stronger.
- Pores Still Stubborn: If nothing seems to shrink those pores or smooth your skin, you need a stronger solution.
- Want Faster Results: If you’re tired of waiting around for results and want something that really wows, pro treatments are your shortcut to smoother, more refined skin.
Finding Enlarged Pores Solution in Singapore


If you’re looking for a more effective solution, Singapore has plenty of options—especially at illumia Therapeutics. Unlike regular facials, our treatments for large pores and dry skin are more targeted and customisable, which makes it friendly for sensitive and acne-prone skin:
- Clear & Bright Facial: Hydrating hyaluronic acid peel.
- Syndeo Hydra Facial: Award-winning microdermabrasion to unclog pores and deeply hydrate.
- Customised Jet Infusion: Pico-sized serum infusion for enlarged pores and dry skin.
- Needleless Hydra Booster: Pure hyaluronic acid with FDA-approved delivery (up to 17x deeper penetration
Our treatments are fully customisable (yes, fully) to deliver intense hydration, boost collagen, refine skin texture, and reduce pore appearance. The right treatment plan can make all the difference for smoother, healthier-looking skin! Schedule your consultation today.