[sample/affiliate] Everything I’ve used from this brand has been excellent but I get nervous when any brand makes claims about pores because the bottom line is that you can only reduce the appearance of large pores rather than get any meaningful ‘shrinkage’ of them.

Dr Dennis Gross Pore Perfecting Refining Serum

The brand claims on this are to give a filtered appearance to pores (which it does to a certain extent in much the same way a mattifying blurring serum does) while using an acid base to cleanse pores and prevent blackheads from forming. Main players are Mandelic Acid, Carnitine HCl, Salicylic Acid, Farnesol, Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid and Adipic Acid so if you saw no result from this I’d be extremely surprised.

Dr Dennis Gross Pore Perfecting Refining Serum

It does contain retinol but really quite far down the extensive ingredient list so it’s not going to be at any strength to be bothersome unless you’re highly sensitive to it. Prickly Pear is an interesting ingredient as it’s specifically included to dissolve waxy plugs within the pore walls while the acids are more about lifting away any dead skin cells and prevent build up. I think if you are troubled by blackheads this is very well worth a shot (it’s expensive though). Their own research, which I have no reason to doubt, found that after a week there was an 86% satisfaction rate. Reviews range from amazing to making no difference at all although those that were disappointed in it made the same point – it didn’t shrink their pores. If that’s your expectation, disappointment is always going to follow. It’s £68 HERE at Cult although will be launching into SpaceNK shortly if you prefer to go into store. I should point out that it’s $64 in the US so we are definitely paying a premium for this brand in the UK. Non affiliate is HERE.

 

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All products are sent to me as samples from brands and agencies unless otherwise stated. Affiliate links may be used. Posts are not affiliate driven.