Introduction
Catrice Cosmetics might not dominate every beauty shelf yet but the German brand has quietly earned a reputation for punchy formulas that rarely punish the wallet. Their knack for trending ingredients and cruelty free commitments has won them a loyal, if somewhat underground, following.
Enter the rather grandly titled Ultra Minimising Pore Serum. The name promises a small miracle and the brand narrative backs it up, citing a hefty 10% niacinamide, a measured dash of Evermat, soothing sea algae and allantoin all working together to mattify shine and coax pores into invisibility. They call it nourishing, gentle enough for almost every skin type and exceptionally easy to slot into a routine.
I devoted two full weeks of twice daily use to see whether these claims stand up in real life and, more importantly, whether this serum justifies parting with hard earned cash. The results were… interesting.
What is Ultra Minimising Pore Serum?
This serum sits within the pore treatment category, a corner of skincare that focuses on balancing oil production and smoothing the skin surface so enlarged pores appear less obvious. Pore treatments usually rely on ingredients that control sebum, add lightweight hydration and gently calm the skin to avoid rebound shininess.
Catrice Cosmetics’ take combines 10% niacinamide with 3% Evermat, a blend derived from African whitewood bark said to limit oil flow. Added sea algae extract provides a touch of hydration while allantoin and panthenol offer mild soothing benefits. The water based formula is free from added fragrance, mineral oil, alcohol and animal derived components so most skin types, including sensitive and combination, can trial it without additional irritants.
In practice it is meant to slot into the serum step of a routine: cleanse, apply a couple of drops to face neck and décolleté, massage until absorbed and then follow with moisturizer or SPF. Used consistently the brand claims it will reduce excess shine and make pores look smaller.
The ingredient list leans on familiar humectants like glycerin and butylene glycol for moisture retention, balanced by oleanolic acid and lactic and citric acids that offer mild exfoliation. Everything is dermatologically tested and the formula is vegan and cruelty free.
Did it work?
In the spirit of hard hitting skincare journalism I parked my regular pore treatment for three days before starting this one, practically donning a lab coat in the bathroom. Fourteen days felt like a fair window to see whether my T-zone would actually behave.
I used two drops morning and night straight after a gentle gel cleanse then topped with a lightweight moisturizer. The serum sank in fast leaving only a whisper of tackiness that disappeared once my next step went on. During the first few days I noticed a mild soft focus effect around my cheeks but midday shine still crept in by lunchtime. No tingling, no redness, just business as usual.
By day seven the shine curve started to flatten. My forehead no longer reflected office lights quite as enthusiastically and the pores around my nose looked slightly less etched. The change was subtle enough that I had to check photos but it was there. What I did not see was any dramatic blurring that would let me skip primer and I still reached for blotting paper mid afternoon, albeit only once.
Heading into the final stretch my skin stayed calm and comfortably hydrated. The promised “minimised” pores plateaued at moderately dialed down, not vanished. Friends who see my face daily did not notice anything new unless I pointed it out so the difference sits firmly in the incremental camp.
So did it work? Yes, in that it tempered oil and smoothed texture a touch without irritation. It did not deliver the near airbrush finish I secretly hoped for so I will not be swapping it into my permanent roster. Still, for a gentle formula that behaves well under makeup and on sensitive skin it earns a respectable nod.
Ultra minimising pore serum’s main ingredients explained
The headline act is 10% niacinamide, a multitasker that helps rein in overzealous sebaceous glands, strengthens the skin barrier and gradually softens the look of hyperpigmentation. At this level you are getting a meaningful dose without straying into irritation territory so even sensitive types can usually enjoy the benefits.
Next up is the 3% Evermat complex which pairs Enantia chlorantha bark extract with oleanolic acid. The duo targets the root of shine by calming the enzyme activity that triggers excess sebum and, over time, it can tighten the appearance of stretched pore walls. Results rely on consistency rather than spectacle so think of it as a temperate climate for oil rather than a total drought.
Saccharina latissima sea algae extract joins glycerin, butylene glycol and propylene glycol to deliver light but lasting hydration. Humectants pull water into the upper layers so skin looks plumper, a visual trick that naturally minimises pores. Algae also offers a mild antioxidant edge which is a nice supporting act.
Panthenol and allantoin bring soothing credibility, reducing the likelihood of redness while quietly encouraging repair. Tocopherol (vitamin E) adds extra antioxidant insurance though it carries a low comedogenic rating of about 2 which means it could, in rare cases, clog pores on very breakout-prone skin. Comedogenic simply refers to an ingredient’s likelihood of blocking pores and triggering blemishes so if you are extremely sensitive keep an eye on how your skin responds.
Low-level lactic and citric acids subtly nudge away dead cells, helping the formula maintain a smooth surface without the sting of a dedicated peel. Preservatives phenoxyethanol, potassium sorbate and sodium benzoate keep the serum stable while ethylhexylglycerin supports preservation and adds a touch of emollience. The absence of perfume, alcohol, parabens, mineral oil and animal-derived compounds makes the serum suitable for vegans and vegetarians.
All listed ingredients are generally regarded as pregnancy safe yet topical routines during pregnancy can be unpredictable so it is always smartest to run any new product past a healthcare professional before committing.
What I liked/didn’t like
One fortnight in and here is the straightforward breakdown.
What works well:
- Lightweight water base sinks in quickly and layers cleanly under moisturizer and makeup with zero pilling
- Noticeable cutback in midday shine and a gentle soft focus effect on pores after about a week of twice daily use
- Fragrance free vegan formula with 10% niacinamide remained calm on my reactive skin and did not trigger breakouts
- Fits easily into both morning and evening routines without forcing other products out
What to consider:
- Results are incremental not dramatic so those looking for an instant blur may feel underwhelmed
- T zone still called for a blotting sheet by late afternoon in warm weather
- Leaves a brief tacky film that can bother anyone who prefers a bone dry finish
My final thoughts
Ultra Minimising Pore Serum sits comfortably in the “slow and steady wins the race” camp of skincare. After a fortnight of faithful use I can say it tones down shine, smooths texture and behaves well with the rest of a routine, yet it stops short of the dramatic pore vanishing act suggested by its name. That makes it a solid choice for anyone with combination or moderately oily skin who values gentle formulas and incremental gains. If you expect instant blurred selfies straight from the bathroom mirror you will likely feel underwhelmed. For my own combination skin it earned a respectable 7.5/10, a mark that reflects decent performance without fireworks.
Having cycled through more pore treatments than I care to admit I feel I gave this one a fair shake. Compared with stronger niacinamide or acid-forward serums it wins on tolerance but loses a little on wow factor. I would recommend it to a friend who is new to active ingredients, sensitive or simply looking for a maintenance product that will not pick fights with the rest of their skincare wardrobe. I would steer power users chasing dramatic mattifying results toward something punchier.
Should you be in that latter group, a few alternatives have impressed me over repeated test runs. Deascal’s Poreless Perfection Serum is an excellent all-rounder that tightens pores, balances oil and does so at a wallet-friendly price point for every skin type. If you prefer a toner texture, Biossance Squalane + BHA Pore Minimizing Toner offers gentle exfoliation with a hydrating finish. StriVectin Super Shrink Pore Minimizing Serum delivers a slightly stronger blurring effect without provoking irritation. Finally Dr.Jart+ Pore Remedy PHA Exfoliating Serum leans on mild acids for those who need a little more resurfacing while still keeping things calm.
Before you rush off to add anything to basket, a few housekeeping notes. Patch test first (sorry for sounding like an over-protective parent) because even the friendliest formula can surprise you. Remember that pore size is largely genetic, results are never permanent and staying consistent is the only way to keep any gains alive.