Does Niacinamide Really Reduce Pore Size? We Tested It

Myth Busted

This viral serum promises to shrink pores, but does the science back up the hype?

Expert Analysis · Honest Reviews · Real Results

1.🔬The Pore Shrinkage Myth

Let’s be real — you can’t physically shrink a pore.

They don’t have muscles. The hype is about making them *look* smaller, which is a whole different game of clean, tight, and less visible.

2.❌The Viral Serum

This is The Ordinary‘s Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%. $6.80. It went viral for promising to minimize pores and control oil. I was skeptical.

Watery serum, not a gel.

None. Smells like a lab, in a good way.

Cheap glass dropper — it works, but feels fragile.

Photo: Fleur Kaan / Unsplash

3.🧪The Science Bit

It’s a simple, high-dose formula. Niacinamide regulates oil and calms redness. Zinc pulls double duty on shine and bacteria.

Photo: Renaldo Matamoro / Unsplash

4.📊The Reality Check

Drops on like water. Absorbs in 8 seconds — leaves a faint, sticky film for a minute.

By week two, my T-zone was noticeably less greasy by noon. Unexpected? It made my other moisturizers pill like crazy. A real pain.

💡

One Thing: Apply to BONE-DRY skin, wait 90 seconds, then do your next step. Cuts the pilling by 80%.

Photo: Andres Herrera / Unsplash

5.💡Did It Work?

Pores didn’t “shrink.” But with less oil and gunk, they looked cleaner and tighter. Zero effect on deep blackheads, though.

✅

Buy if

You’re oily or combo and want midday shine control.

⏭️

Skip if

You’re dry, sensitive, or hate finicky layering.

💰

Worth it?

For $7, the oil control alone is a yes.

6.✅Final Call

It’s a brilliant, cheap oil regulator. A pore *refiner*, not a reducer. Manage expectations and you won’t be disappointed.

7.5/10

A cheap, effective shine stopper.

🛍️

Where to Buy: Direct from The Ordinary or Sephora. At this price, just get the full size.