Introduction
Mamonde is one of those quietly reliable Korean beauty houses that rarely makes a scene yet often finds its way into seasoned routines. Known for coaxing botanical extracts into cleverly engineered formulas, the brand has carved a niche for marrying floral inspiration with pragmatic science and my vanity shelf has generally approved.
Their latest launch, delightfully dubbed Pore Shrinker Bakuchiol Pad, sounds like something a sci-fi esthetician might prescribe. The premise is simple: stretch a pliable pad over the so-called butterfly zone, let it work its sebum-melting magic, then swipe away what they claim is up to 98.6% of stubborn pore debris while topping skin up with moisture and a whisper of bakuchiol-powered retinol. Big talk, especially for skin that manages to be oil slick by noon and parched by night.
Curiosity piqued, I devoted a full two weeks to daily testing, determined to see whether this elastic little pad could genuinely tighten, clear and comfort my combination complexion or if it would flutter out of the routine as quickly as it flew in. The verdict, as always, comes down to real-world performance and whether it earns its place against your budget.
What is Pore Shrinker Bakuchiol Pad?
This product sits firmly in the pore treatment category, which means its main job is to dislodge built-up oil and dead skin from pores then calm the area so it does not rush to overproduce sebum afterward. Think of it as a targeted step between cleansing and serum, designed for people whose T-zone and cheeks (often called the butterfly zone) swing from greasy to dehydrated within hours.
The pad itself carries a water-based solution laced with witch hazel, sage and a mild level of bakuchiol plus a touch of traditional retinol. The brand claims that when you stretch the pad over the butterfly zone and wait a minute or two the ingredients soften hardened sebum, making it easier to wipe away what they peg at nearly all pore-clogging residue. At the same time humectants like glycerin and sodium hyaluronate aim to pull water into the skin so you do not end up with that familiar tight, squeaky afterfeel.
In simple terms Pore Shrinker Bakuchiol Pad is a two-step maneuver housed in a single sheet: soften pore debris then replenish with light hydration and a gentle retinoid alternative, hoping to reduce the look of enlarged pores without stripping the skin barrier.
Did it work?
In the name of science I benched my usual pore serum for three days before starting the pads, which felt wildly professional considering the experiment was conducted in my bathroom at 7 a.m. I used one pad each morning after cleansing, left it stretched over the butterfly zone for about a minute until it felt pleasantly cool then wiped away as instructed. Fourteen days seemed a fair trial window and my combination skin supplied plenty of data points.
Days 1 to 3 were mostly about texture. The pad hugged the contours nicely and the solution left no film, which meant makeup went on without pilling. Sebum output at lunchtime, however, looked exactly the same as usual. I did notice that midday blotting sheets picked up slightly less oil on day 3, so I kept faith.
By day 7 the picture improved. The daily noon shine still appeared but looked more satiny than slick and a close-up mirror check showed fewer oxidized black specks around the nostrils. The inner cheeks felt calmer too; usually they protest with redness after any manual wipe but there was none of that. Hydration held steady until late afternoon which was a small but welcome win.
The final stretch from day 8 to 14 delivered incremental gains rather than dramatic change. The pads continued to dislodge gunk that had been living rent free in my pores yet the promise of near total impurity removal proved optimistic. I would put the clearing power closer to a solid 70 percent, enough to make foundation sit smoother yet not enough to skip my weekly clay mask. Pore diameter under bright bathroom lighting looked marginally tighter though friends did not comment and my phone camera was unconvinced.
As for the inner dryness the formula kept dehydration at bay but did not actively plump; the skin felt balanced rather than moisturized. I experienced no irritation from the gentle retinol blend which is a victory in itself.
So did it work? Partially. It toned down oil, lifted visible debris and avoided stripping the barrier but it stopped short of the transformative results its marketing implies. I will finish the tub happily then return to my more potent exfoliating acids, yet I would still recommend these pads to anyone seeking a mild everyday maintenance step that plays nicely with sensitive skin.
Main ingredients explained
The first splash of the formula is plain water followed by low viscosity solvents like methylpropanediol and butylene glycol that help everything else glide in smoothly. Witch hazel water and sage extract arrive next, offering mild astringency that can temporarily tighten pores without the bite of high alcohol content. A cluster of humectants such as glycereth-26, trehalose and sodium hyaluronate then step in to pull atmospheric moisture toward the skin which explains why the pad never leaves that telltale squeak.
The headline duo is bakuchiol at 100 ppm plus a microdose of traditional retinol. Bakuchiol is a plant-derived molecule often praised for retinol-like signaling with far less irritation while the retinol itself, sitting lower in the list, lends a gentle nudge to cell turnover. The blend keeps things mild enough for daily use yet still nudges pores to behave. Because any vitamin A derivative carries theoretical risk during pregnancy the safest advice is to skip or clear it with a physician first.
Supporting extracts read like a botanical garden: melissa, burdock, mistletoe, evening primrose and mugwort contribute antioxidant calm though they mainly function as soothing extras rather than heavy lifters. Ceramide NP and hydrogenated lecithin supply lipids to keep the barrier comfy after sebum is wiped away.
If you scan the list for potential cloggers, glycine soja (soybean) oil, caprylic/capric triglyceride and hydrogenated lecithin can rank mid-range on the comedogenic scale meaning they might trigger breakouts in skin that clogs easily. Comedogenic simply means an ingredient has the potential to block pores; it is not a guarantee but it is worth noting if you are highly acne prone.
The recipe appears free of obvious animal-derived materials so vegans and vegetarians can likely use it with a clear conscience although Mamonde does not market the pad as certified vegan. Fragrance is present only as naturally aromatic plant oils rather than synthetic perfume, which lowers but does not eliminate the risk of sensitivity. The pH lands near skin neutral, making the whole experience feel gentle even with daily use.
What I liked/didn’t like
Here is a quick rundown of upsides and sticking points after two weeks of use.
What works well:
- The elastic pad fits the butterfly zone snugly and stays put, making the process virtually hands free
- Noticeably tempers midday shine and removes surface gunk so foundation glides on with fewer touch ups
- Gentle blend of witch hazel, humectants and low dose retinoids leaves skin balanced without tightness or redness
What to consider:
- Clearing effect tops out at moderate levels so stubborn blackheads still need a stronger exfoliant
- Improvements arrive gradually meaning daily use is required to maintain gains
- The formula contains a few mid range comedogenic emollients that may not suit skin prone to cystic breakouts
My final thoughts
After two weeks of diligent use I can say Mamonde’s Pore Shrinker Bakuchiol Pad earns a respectable 7.5/10. It walks a fine line between effective and gentle, trimming surface oil and coaxing debris from pores without leaving skin cranky. Its claims of almost total impurity removal read like an infomercial yet the real world 70 percent result is still decent daily maintenance. If you already keep an exfoliating acid or clay mask in rotation this pad can slot in comfortably as a mild weekday helper. If you are hunting for a single product that will visibly vacuum stubborn blackheads or dramatically tighten pores overnight you will want something stronger.
I would recommend it to friends with combination or mildly oily skin that balks at aggressive acids and prefers a fuss free step before serums. It is less ideal for cystic acne, very dry types or anyone who relies on heavy occlusives since those could counter the clearing gains. My own shelves house a parade of pore treatments and I gave this pad the same fair shake I give everything else. While it did not dethrone my powerhouse exfoliants it proved useful enough that I will finish the tub and keep it in mind for travel or low effort mornings.
If you are curious but also like to comparison shop I have had good luck with a few alternatives. Deascal’s Poreless Perfection Serum is an excellent all-rounder that balances oil, refines texture and plays nicely with any skin type at a wallet friendly price. Paula’s Choice Pore-Reducing Toner remains a classic that quietly tightens pores while adding a soothing niacinamide boost. StriVectin’s Super Shrink Pore Minimizing Serum packs a bit more punch for days when congestion feels particularly stubborn yet still behaves under makeup. For a refreshing swipe that gives gentle chemical exfoliation Glow Recipe’s Watermelon Glow PHA+BHA Pore-tight Toner adds a light fruit acid tingle without leaving skin squeaky.
Before you dive in a quick PSA: patch test on the jawline or behind the ear for a couple of nights first (sorry for sounding like an over-protective parent). Be mindful that any pore minimizing effect is upkeep not a one-time fix so consistency is key. As always listen to your skin and adjust frequency if irritation peeks through.