I literally laughed when I saw “eggplant ferment” on the ingredient list. Thought it was gimmicky nightshade nonsense.
Then I used it. And my nose pores looked like they’d been photoshopped. The ferment isn’t just cute — it breaks down sebum buildup without the stripping feeling of salicylic acid.
It’s a lightweight serum-ampoule hybrid. $28 for 30ml at Olive Young. The claim that got me: “tightens pores with zero irritation.”
Eggplant ferment filtrate
Not the vegetable you cook with — it’s fermented, which makes the actives way more bioavailable for skin
Centella + Panthenol
The calming duo that keeps this from being a pore-clogging nightmare
No essential oils
Unusual for K-beauty. They skipped the fragrance circus. Your skin won’t rebel.
Photo: Viva Luna Studios / Unsplash
Star ingredient is eggplant ferment — rich in anthocyanins that reduce sebum oxidation (that’s what turns your pores dark). Plus peptides for bounce. It’s basically a pore refiner dressed as a vegetable.
- Eggplant Ferment: reduces pore visibility by controlling oil at the source
- Niacinamide 4%: fades dark pore shadows over time
- Madecassoside: anti-inflammatory so you don’t get red from exfoliating
- Sodium Hyaluronate: keeps it hydrating enough for dry zones
Photo: pmv chamara / Unsplash
Watery-gel. Sinks in under 15 seconds — no tacky film. Smells like… nothing. Actually nothing. Weirdly refreshing after the 18th floral-scented serum.
Week 2: my T-zone stopped producing enough oil to fry an egg. Week 3: the pores around my nose looked smaller — not gone, just… less insistent. Unexpected downside: my makeup pilled slightly if I didn’t wait a full minute before sunscreen.
Photo: Rosa Rafael / Unsplash
Pores visibly tighter after 3 weeks. Oil production dropped maybe 40%. Blackheads? Still there but way less noticeable. Not a pore eraser — a pore tamer.
Photo: freestocks / Unsplash
Best pore-focused serum I’ve used that doesn’t make my skin freak out. Not a miracle — but it’s the closest thing to one for under $30.