I mentioned about recently adopting a comprehensive skincare routine in my previous post. I first learned about it when a former colleague of mine came across YouTube videos of Korean skincare. A bit of digging led her to the 10-step routine page of Soko Glam, which details each step, and the importance of each to keep one’s skin amazing. To be honest, I’m not following all of the steps because I have yet to discover a nice eye cream, though I heard the Olay Total Effects 7 In One Anti-Ageing Eye Cream should be effective. Have to check it out.

Anyway, if there is one addition to the routine that has proven to be helpful to my skin, it would be the “Treatments” which come in the form of boosters or serum—I just use the latter. Serums are skincare products with active ingredients that address specific issues one has with their skin—dark spots, enlarged pores, etc. These ingredients are more concentrated and are supposed to be more effective in treating one’s problems. I have always had issues with my pores, so it’s just natural for me to get a serum to target this skin concern of mine.

What I have been using the past few weeks is the COSRX BHA Summer Pore Minish Serum which contains BHA (beta-hydroxy acids) that gently deep cleanses pores.

The packaging is simple and straightforward. One side shows the product name and what skincare it addresses; another shows the ingredients; another details what the product does and instructions how to use it. Make sure to read it so you could make the most out of the product!

On to the BHA Summer Pore Minish Serum. It’s a pump bottle containing 100mL of the serum. The product comes in a peach-like colored liquid with white particles settled at the bottom, and sometimes even floating. No need to panic, that’s normal. It’s actually a sebum absorbing/blackhead reducing powder, part of what makes the product highly efficacious. One needs to remember to shake the bottle a bit prior to using to ensure that when you pump a bit of the product on your cotton pad, you would also have the active powder.

COSRX mentions how this product, among others, are suited for all skin types. Honestly, I really can’t tell for sure given that I haven’t gone deep into studying ingredients. If you’re the type to know, though, if a product would be good to your skin by knowing the different ingredients, well, you can check the image below. It’s actually nice enough for the company to place English labels (if you haven’t figured out yet, COSRX is a Korean skincare brand).

How do I use it? With my cotton pad, I pump about 2-3 times, until I see enough of the sebum absorbing/blackhead reducing powder and the runny liquid on the pad. I first apply it on my nose, followed by my cheeks, then the rest of my face. I am not sure if this is the proper way to do it, but my enlarged pores are in those areas, so it made sense for me to apply the product initially in those ‘zones’, before spreading it throughout.

MY THOUGHTS

What I like about the product is that it easily sinks into the skin. I find that a good thing especially when I’m in a rush, and just want to finish all the steps of my skincare routine. It doesn’t sting, in anyway, and doesn’t irritate my skin. Yay!

I have been using the product daily for about three weeks now, and I have noticed of my pores are not as deep as they used to be, and I don’t . Of course, the majority is still that of my pores creating craters on my face. Sadness!! But, I think if I continue using the product, my pore situation will improve. That, and consuming healthy food and having enough rest, I think.

Similar to the innisfree Capsule Recipe Pack, I bought my COSRX BHA Summer Pore Minish Serum through BeautyMNL. Yes, I am a staunch advocate of the website because they give me access to a lot of nice skincare brands.