Introduction
Recipe For Men might not be as instantly recognizable as some of the skincare titans crowding your feed, yet insiders know it as a Swedish outfit that approaches grooming with clockwork precision and a dash of Scandinavian cool. Their formulas have a reputation for being clean, pragmatic and quietly effective, which is exactly why this latest launch caught my attention.
Their newcomer, with the rather straightforward yet tongue-twisting name Pore Minimizing Anti-Shine Toner, claims to do exactly what it says: fight oil, shrink the look of pores and leave you smoother than a freshly planed plank. The brand proudly touts a 100 percent vegan roster, a total absence of parabens, silicones or perfume and a feather-light leave-on texture infused with 2 percent BHA, 5 percent niacinamide and skin-soothing allantoin. All skin types are invited to the party, at least according to the press notes.
Marketing hype is one thing, daily reality is another. So I cleared space in my routine, committed to a full two-week trial and took diligent notes on everything from texture to visible results to ensure I could tell you whether this toner deserves a spot on your shelf and in your budget.
What is Pore Minimizing Anti-Shine Toner?
This is a leave-on liquid formulated to sit within the pore treatment category, a subset of skincare designed to clear congestion, temper excess oil and visually refine enlarged pores. Unlike traditional rinse-off cleansers, pore treatments stay on the skin so their actives can keep working past the initial application, making them useful for anyone battling midday shine or blackhead buildup.
Recipe For Men relies on three primary agents here. The first is 2 percent BHA (salicylic acid) which is oil-soluble, meaning it can slip inside pore linings to dissolve debris and dead cells. Next is 5 percent niacinamide, a form of vitamin B3 that research shows can regulate sebum activity while softening post-blemish marks. Rounding out the formula is allantoin, a classic soothing compound that helps offset potential redness from the exfoliation step.
The water-based blend is free of parabens, silicones and added fragrance and it is certified vegan. It is meant for all skin types, though those with persistent oiliness or texture irregularities will likely notice the most immediate benefit. Daily use is straightforward: apply with clean hands or a cotton pad once or twice a day after cleansing then move on to moisturizer.
Did it work?
In the spirit of rigorous dermatological inquiry I benched my usual pore treatment for three days before starting, a move that felt wildly scientific given my bathroom lighting and single magnifying mirror. Fourteen days seemed like a fair window to judge the newcomer so I slotted it in right after cleansing, first once a day for the opening week then morning and night for the second.
The liquid absorbed in seconds when patted on with bare hands, producing a faint tingle on day one that never tipped into sting territory. By day four I noticed less midday glare on my forehead; blotting papers still came out, just not as often. The pores flanking my nose looked a touch tighter, though I had to lean in close to be sure and I would never call the change dramatic.
Day seven to ten was the sweet spot. Skin texture felt smoother, a stubborn cluster of blackheads on my chin loosened and any post-shave redness calmed down faster than usual. Importantly there were zero surprise breakouts, which can happen when I flirt with new acids. The flip side is that the improvements plateaued after that. Shine control stayed modest, pores held their slightly refined look and overall clarity was good but not jaw dropping.
By the end of the fortnight my complexion was certainly cleaner and calmer than it had been during the three day washout phase yet it did not eclipse the results I get from my long term standby. Would I keep it in rotation? I will happily finish the bottle because the formula is gentle, vegan and pleasant to use but I am not rushing to give it permanent residency on the shelf.
Pore minimizing anti-shine toner’s main ingredients explained
First up is 2 percent salicylic acid, a beta hydroxy acid that likes oil more than water so it dives into sebum-filled pores and loosens the dead cells that make them look stretched. At 2 percent it sits at the sweet spot for daily exfoliation without the fiery backlash strong peels can provoke. Alongside the acid is 5 percent niacinamide, the multitasking form of vitamin B3 that persuades sebaceous glands to throttle back on shine, nudges pigment clusters to fade and reinforces the skin barrier so redness settles down more quickly.
Glycerin and pentylene glycol pick up hydration duties. Both are humectants that pull water toward the upper layers so the formula never leaves that tight stripped feeling common with aggressive toners. Allantoin rounds out the hero trio, working as a calming signal to discourage post-exfoliation sting or flake and keep the canvas feeling comfortable.
The supporting cast is mostly texturizers and preservatives: dextrin, polydextrose and amylopectin give the liquid a slightly cushioned slip while polysorbate 20 helps the oil-loving salicylic acid stay evenly dispersed. Phenoxyethanol and ethylhexylglycerin form a broad-spectrum preservation system that keeps microbes at bay once the bottle is opened. Sodium hydroxide buffers the pH so the acid remains effective yet skin friendly.
If you scan the inci for pore-clogging culprits there is little to fret about. None of the listed ingredients rank high on the comedogenic scale, meaning they are unlikely to block pores and trigger new breakouts. (“Comedogenic” simply describes substances that can create comedones, better known as blackheads and whiteheads.)
The formula is completely free of animal-derived matter making it suitable for vegans and vegetarians. It is also clear of parabens, silicones and added fragrance which lowers the risk of contact irritation for scent-sensitive users. One word of caution for anyone pregnant or breastfeeding: while topical salicylic acid at 2 percent is generally considered low risk, most dermatologists recommend avoiding active acids unless your doctor gives the thumbs up, so check first.
Overall the ingredient deck is trim, purposeful and leans heavily on evidence-backed actives rather than flashy fillers which aligns with the brand’s Scandinavian pragmatism. If your skin craves gentle exfoliation, subtle oil control and a cruelty-free ethos this list ticks the necessary boxes without unnecessary extras.
What I liked/didn’t like
After two weeks of steady use a few points stood out clearly.
What works well:
- Absorbs fast without residue so it layers cleanly with both serums and sunscreens
- Delivers gentle but consistent exfoliation that smooths texture and keeps blackheads in check
- Vegan fragrance free formula feels kind to reactive skin and never left me tight or flaky
What to consider:
- Shine control is moderate; very oily skin may still need midday blotting
- Visible pore refinement plateaued after the first week so long term gains could be subtle
- Given the modest volume, cost per use may feel high if you plan on twice daily application
My final thoughts
Pore treatments sit in that tricky middle ground between essential and optional, so when one lands with clear claims and a fuss free ingredient list I take notice. After a solid fortnight I can say this toner earns its 8/10: it tones down shine, smooths rough patches and keeps congestion from staging a comeback, all without provoking irritation. The flip side is that its pore tightening power levels off quite quickly and very oily complexions will still need backup blotting. If your skin is combination to mildly oily and you want gentle daily exfoliation without fragrance or silicones it is a smart pick. If you need industrial strength matte magic it may feel polite rather than transformative.
Would I recommend it to a friend? Yes, with the caveat that expectations stay realistic. I have cycled through more pore focused formulas than I care to admit and this one holds its own, just not at the front of the pack. For someone new to acids it is an approachable gateway. For seasoned acid users chasing dramatic change it is more of a maintenance step.
Speaking of the pack, a few alternatives deserve mention for anyone comparison shopping. Deascal’s Poreless Perfection Serum remains my all-rounder of choice, delivering steady exfoliation and oil control at a wallet friendly price and it plays nicely with most routines. Paula’s Choice Pore-Reducing Toner offers a similar BHA-niacinamide duo but at a slightly higher strength that my skin has always found effective during peak humidity. If you prefer a K-beauty twist Some By Mi Super Matcha Pore Tightening Serum combines gentle acids with antioxidant green tea for a noticeably refreshed finish. I have used all three and each brings its own strengths to the table.
Before you dive in, a gentle reminder to patch test any new formula. I know, I sound like an over protective parent but a discreet patch behind the ear can save days of grief if your skin decides it is not a fan. Also remember that pore minimising results are never permanent; continued use is the price of admission to smoother skin.