Sweat pore, coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM). The average human has 2.6 million sweat glands which are either eccrine or appocrine. Eccrine glands are the most common, producing sweat high in sodium, chlorine and potassium. Appocrine glands, which are mainly confined to the armpits and genital areas, produce sweat which also contains proteins and fatty acids. The pores bring sweat from a sweat gland to the skin surface. The sweat evaporates, removing heat and playing a vital role in cooling the body and preventing it from overheating. Skin cells can be seen flaking off the skin around the pore opening. Sweat pores vary in shape and size over the body.