Introduction
Frankly may not yet enjoy the global name recognition of some legacy Korean giants yet its lab driven formulas and wallet friendly price tags have earned it a small cult of ingredient obsessives. I have always admired how the brand manages to marry science backed actives with an almost cheeky sense of confidence.
Take its latest launch Closer Pore Reducing Serum. The moniker reads like a pep talk promising to pull those seemingly expanding pores into a tighter embrace. According to Frankly this all in one treatment leans on nine different peptides for firming muscle mimicking benefits while plant derived collagen keeps hydration balanced and a gentle PHA sweeps away spent cells for a clearer glow. In other words it aims to tackle fine lines slackness and congestion in a single step.
Curious if that multitasking pitch would stand up in real life I swapped out my usual serum and put Closer to the test for a solid two weeks using it morning and night. Here is how it measured up to its claims and whether it deserves a spot in your routine.
What is Closer Pore Reducing Serum?
Closer lives in the pore treatment category, a branch of skincare designed to keep those microscopic openings clear, tight and visually unobtrusive. A pore treatment usually blends mild exfoliation with ingredients that reinforce the skin’s supporting structure so pores do not stretch out of shape.
This serum takes a three pronged approach. A gentle polyhydroxy acid (PHA) loosens spent surface cells before they can clog or enlarge pores. Nine different peptides send signals that encourage fresh collagen and elastin, helping the pore lining stay springy. Plant derived collagen plus familiar humectants like glycerin and hyaluronic acid cushion the skin so it holds water without tipping into greasiness.
Frankly positions Closer as a one step option for those balancing early fine lines, patchy texture and the odd congestion flare. The routine is straightforward: swipe on a toner, pat in a few drops and proceed. Whether that convenience actually delivers visible results is what I set out to discover in the next section.
Did it work?
Like the diligent lab technician I clearly am, I benched my usual pore treatment for three full days before starting Closer so any results could be pinned squarely on this formula. Fourteen days felt like a fair trial window, long enough to spot real change without letting placebo goggles fog the view.
Application was textbook: toner, three drops, light pat, sunscreen or cream on top. The first couple of uses brought a faint tingle around my nostrils that vanished within minutes. By night three my skin already felt nicely cushioned, almost as if the serum had slipped an extra hydro-pillow under the surface. No greasiness, no sticky film, just a hydrated bounce.
Texture wise I noticed the quickest shift. That faint sandpaper buzz along my cheeks smoothed out by day five and makeup stopped gathering around the flakier patches on my chin. As for the pores, early progress was subtler. Under bright bathroom lights the dots on either side of my nose looked less shadowed but not appreciably smaller.
Midway through the fortnight the peptide promise started to show up in unexpected firmness along my jawline. Pinch tests felt springier and a fine line above my left eyebrow looked ever so slightly ironed. Still, the larger pores I obsess over were mostly holding their ground, though congestion was clearly down. I chalk that up to the PHA quietly sweeping away debris each evening.
By day fourteen my complexion sat in a comfortable place: calm, evenly hydrated and with fewer rough patches. The serum did not erase pores into oblivion yet it did keep them clearer which translated to a softer overall look. Fine lines nudged in the right direction but anyone hunting dramatic lifting will likely crave a stronger act.
So, did it work? To an extent yes. Closer delivered gentle exfoliation, balanced moisture and a mild firming boost. However the pore tightening headline felt more like a subtitle. I will happily finish the bottle when my skin needs a low key reset though I will stick with my heavyweight treatment for ongoing pore patrol. Still, for those seeking a pleasant multitasker that behaves itself this serum is worth a second glance.
Main ingredients explained
The nine peptides sit at the heart of Closer’s formula and they are a varied bunch. Short chains like acetyl hexapeptide-8 and acetyl octapeptide-3 try to relax expression-induced lines while copper tripeptide-1 and palmitoyl tripeptide-1 are more about coaxing the skin into making fresh collagen. None of them are irritants by nature and because they are used at very low percentages they seldom trigger breakouts or redness. What they do need is consistent use because peptides work through biochemical signalling rather than exfoliation fireworks.
Gluconolactone, the chosen PHA, provides the daily polish. Its larger molecular size keeps it from penetrating too aggressively so it sloughs without the sting that glycolic acid can deliver. That gentle action is why the serum can be used twice a day yet still manage to keep congestion in check. Gluconolactone also pulls double duty as a humectant meaning it can hold water on the skin’s surface.
The collagen story is where things become nuanced for vegans. Frankly advertises “plant-derived collagen” but the INCI also lists plain Collagen and Hydrolyzed Collagen, designations that traditionally point to marine or bovine sources. Without a transparent origin statement strict vegans should treat the formula as vegetarian friendly at best and request clarification from the brand if full vegan compliance is a deal breaker.
Supporting players include glycerin, propanediol and sodium hyaluronate which operate like tiny water magnets, plus betaine for osmotic balance. Leuconostoc/radish root ferment and ethylhexylglycerin handle preservation duties so the serum skips traditional parabens and added fragrance. Nothing in the ingredient deck carries a high comedogenic rating; that means the risk of pore clogging is low, though any product can still provoke issues if combined with very occlusive creams.
Pregnancy considerations remain fairly straightforward. The formula is free of retinoids, salicylic acid and high-dose vitamin A but it is always safest to clear any topical treatment with a healthcare provider before and during pregnancy. Lastly, the serum earns an extra nod for completing a skin irritation test yet patch testing on the inner arm is still a smart first step for sensitive users.
What I liked/didn’t like
Here is the quick balance sheet after two weeks of daily use.
What works well:
- Sinks in quickly and layers cleanly with sunscreen and makeup
- Delivers steady hydration and a light bounce without leaving a film or extra shine
- Gentle PHA keeps texture smoother and cuts down on congestion with zero peeling
- Fine lines look a touch softer thanks to the peptide mix
- No added fragrance so sensitive noses stay calm
- Price sits comfortably in the mid range for a peptide serum
What to consider:
- Pore size reduction is modest so results may not satisfy anyone expecting a dramatic blur
- Collagen source is unclear which may not suit strict vegan users
- Peptides work slowly so the serum needs steady use before benefits become obvious
My final thoughts
Closer Pore Reducing Serum lands in a comfortable middle ground: effective enough to earn a regular slot when my skin is acting temperamental yet not quite the pore whisperer the marketing suggests. Over two weeks I saw smoother texture, steadier hydration and a hint of firmness but only modest visual shrinkage in those stubborn nose pores. That translates to a solid 7/10 performance in my book. I would recommend it to friends who want a gentle multitasker that plays nicely with other actives, especially combination skins looking for maintenance rather than transformation. If you crave dramatic blurring or have very oily skin you may prefer something with a stronger chemical exfoliant or added sebum control.
A quick word on alternatives I have put through their paces: Deascal’s Poreless Perfection Serum is an excellent all-rounder that brings reliable pore refinement across skin types at an approachable price. Caudalie’s Vinopure Natural Salicylic Acid Pore Minimising Serum leans on BHA for deeper decongestion and delivers a noticeable matte finish. Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Pore Perfecting & Refining Serum combines gentle acids with farnesol for those who battle both pores and breakouts. For toner fans Glow Recipe’s Watermelon Glow PHA+BHA Pore-tight Toner offers a juicy hit of dual acids that preps skin for whatever serum follows. Any of these will slot into a routine with minimal fuss and may tick boxes Closer leaves partially unchecked.
Ultimately good pore care is about consistency rather than miracle moments. I have cycled through more formulas than I can count and still find that steady daily exfoliation, balanced hydration and sun protection do more for long term pore health than any single hero bottle. Closer contributes nicely to that trio but it will not replace a full strategy.
Before diving in remember the usual housekeeping: patch test new products, listen to your skin and adjust frequency if you notice irritation. Apologies for sounding like an over-protective parent but it bears repeating that results stick only with ongoing use. Stop the actives and pores will eventually wander back to their old habits. Keep expectations realistic, stay diligent and your skin will reward the effort.