My bathroom mirror is a liar. It shows every single pore. So I tried the internet’s favorite fix.
The truth? Pores don’t open and close. They can’t shrink. The goal is just to make them *look* smaller.
It’s The Ordinary‘s Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%. $5.90. The claim? Visibly reduce blemishes and congestion. For that price, I had to test the hype.
Texture
Water-based serum — feels like slightly sticky water.
Scent
Zero fragrance. Smells like… a lab. In a good way.
Packaging
The dropper is functional. But it’s not Instagram-pretty — it’s science class.
Photo: Chang Duong / Unsplash
It’s a short, blunt list. Niacinamide is the star — it helps regulate oil and calm inflammation. Zinc is the sidekick for oil control.
- Niacinamide 10%: Regulates sebum, calms redness
- Zinc PCA 1%: Mattifies, controls oil
- Tamrindus Indica Seed Gum: The texture agent
- Pentylene Glycol: Hydration + preservation
Applies like a thin gel. Absorbs in 15 seconds — but leaves a faint, tacky film. You feel it.
Week 2: My T-zone was noticeably less shiny by noon. The surprise? It pilled under my moisturizer like crazy. A real makeup nightmare.
After a month, my pores didn’t vanish. But the oil slick on my nose did. That means less gunk getting stuck — so pores *appear* cleaner and tighter. A solid B+ result.
It’s not a pore-shrinking miracle. It’s an oil-blotting, clarity-boosting workhorse. Manages expectations — and shine.