Introduction
AXIS-Y may not yet be a household name but among K-beauty devotees it enjoys a growing reputation for smart, climate-focused formulations that treat skin with a curious mix of science and sensibility. The brand bills itself as a bit of a skin detective, zeroing in on environmental stressors that throw complexions off balance. It is an approach I have admired from afar so I was keen to see if its latest pore-centric launch could live up to the chatter.
Enter the rather grandly titled Calamine Pore Control Capsule Serum. The name alone sounds like something plucked from a futuristic apothecary and AXIS-Y promises equally forward-thinking results: calamine to soothe and regulate sebum, two plant-derived complexes to visibly tighten stretched pores plus tiny moisture capsules that aim to keep the skin’s oil-water balance on an even keel. Toss in claims of a 23 percent pore-tightening effect after just two weeks and you have my full attention.
I put those two weeks to the test, applying a measured pea-sized dose to each cheek every morning and night and patting it across the notorious butterfly zone where my pores tend to broadcast themselves. The goal was simple: find out if this serum deserves a permanent spot in a routine or if it is yet another pretty promise in a crowded category. The results, surprises and tiny gripes are all coming up next.
What is Calamine Pore Control Capsule Serum?
This serum sits in the pore treatment category, a segment of skincare focused on reducing the visibility of enlarged pores by regulating sebum and supporting the surrounding skin. Pore treatments can be useful for anyone who finds that oil buildup, climate or daily pollution makes their pores look larger and more uneven.
Calamine Pore Control Capsule Serum aims to tackle both the cause and appearance of enlarged pores. It combines calamine, a traditional soothing agent, with two plant based complexes that target excess oil and mild inflammation. The formula is water based and lightweight, so it can be layered easily with other products without feeling heavy or occlusive.
An added feature is the inclusion of tiny “moisture capsules” that dissolve on contact with skin. These capsules carry humectants and emollients intended to maintain a balanced oil water ratio, which in turn helps pores stay less stretched over time. The brand cites in house testing that showed a 23 percent tightening effect after two weeks, though individual results will vary.
Did it work?
In the name of science I actually shelved my usual pore treatment for three days before starting the trial, which felt both wildly professional and slightly reckless given the humid week ahead. Fourteen days still strikes me as a decent window to judge a formula, so twice daily patting became my new ritual: a pea sized dot on each cheek, spread outward with gentle taps until the little pink capsules disappeared.
The first morning I noticed the serum sank in fast without that telltale tightness some mattifying products leave behind. By lunchtime my T zone looked a touch less reflective than usual, though not outright matte. Day three brought the first small victory: the pores around my nose looked a bit softer at conversational distance. Makeup sat more evenly too, resisting its usual migration into the tiny craters by mid afternoon.
Things ramped up around day five. Sebum levels felt steadier and I caught myself skipping blotting papers on several occasions. The texture across my cheeks was smoother when I ran a fingertip over the skin and minor redness had dulled, a bonus I credit to the calamine.
From day ten onward progress plateaued. Pores were certainly less shouty but not exactly invisible, and the promised “23 percent” tightening seemed optimistic in my bathroom mirror. On the upside I never experienced dryness or flaking, and the serum played nicely with both sunscreen and a light gel moisturizer.
After two weeks I can say it does temper oil and lends a gentle refinement to pore edges, just not at the transformational level hinted by the marketing. I am happy I tried it and would recommend it to anyone battling midday shine, yet for me the improvement was not compelling enough to dethrone my long standing pore minimizer. Still, I will keep the bottle around for those sticky summer days when a calm, balanced canvas feels like a small victory in itself.
Main ingredients explained
Calamine sits at the top of the storyline for good reason: the pink blend of zinc oxide and ferric oxide has a long record of calming itch, heat and low level inflammation. Here it plays double duty by mildly absorbing excess oil while taking the sting out of any redness that often travels with overactive sebaceous glands. Supporting cast member bromelain, an enzyme extracted from pineapple, provides gentle proteolytic exfoliation to keep pore walls clear so they do not stretch under the weight of trapped debris. Witch hazel joins this clarifying squad with its natural tannins that momentarily constrict the look of pores and lend an astringent finish without stripping.
The serum’s moisture capsules are essentially micro pockets of emollients and humectants. Water, butylene glycol and dipropylene glycol pull hydration toward the surface, while hydrogenated lecithin and hydroxyethyl acrylate copolymer create a light occlusive mesh that slows evaporation. This balanced hydration strategy is key because over drying can push skin to pump out more sebum, undoing any pore-tightening benefit.
A garden of plant extracts rounds out the formula, most notably centella asiatica, artemisia capillaris and broccoli sprout which supply antioxidants and soothing terpenoids. Chestnut shell and coffee seed bring mild bioflavonoids that may help reinforce the skin’s own barrier. Although these botanicals are present in modest amounts, they add a nice anti-inflammatory cushion that keeps the serum from feeling strictly clinical.
On the potential downside cetyl ethylhexanoate, palmitic acid and C12-16 alcohols do have moderate comedogenic ratings, meaning they can clog pores for very acne-prone users if concentration and individual reactivity align. I experienced no congestion during the trial, yet anyone prone to stubborn closed comedones may want to patch test first. The ingredient list is free of animal derivatives so the product is suitable for vegans and vegetarians. As for pregnancy safety, none of the components are flagged as high-risk but formulation complexity and individual sensitivities make professional guidance essential; expectant or nursing users should clear any new topical with their doctor before diving in.
Fragrance is absent, essential oils are nowhere to be found and the pH registers in a skin-friendly window which reduces the chance of barrier disruption. All told the ingredient deck is thoughtfully assembled to nudge pores into a neater formation while respecting the moisture barrier, though ultra-sensitive or highly acneic skins should still proceed with informed caution.
What I liked/didn’t like
Here is the quick rundown after two weeks of twice daily use.
What works well:
- Absorbs quickly and leaves a balanced satiny finish that curbs midday shine without a tight matte effect
- Visible softening of pore edges within the first week plus a subtle calming of redness around the nose and cheeks
- Layers smoothly with sunscreen and makeup and did not trigger congestion or flaking during the trial
What to consider:
- Improvement plateaus after about ten days so long term gains may be incremental rather than dramatic
- Targets moderate oiliness best; very oily or cystic skin types might need a stronger sebum regulator in tandem
- Price sits slightly above the average for K-beauty serums offering similar claims
My final thoughts
After two diligent weeks of use I would slot Calamine Pore Control Capsule Serum in the “solid performer” category. It steadied my midday shine, softened those telltale dots across the butterfly zone and never tipped my combination skin into dryness. The promised 23 percent tightening? Let us say I saw credible refinement rather than a numerical epiphany, but enough of an improvement that I kept inspecting the mirror with mild satisfaction. Compared with other pore treatments I have road tested, this one lands a respectable 8/10: reliable, pleasant to use and gentle enough for daily application, yet not quite the game changer that makes me abandon all other options.
Who will appreciate it most? Anyone with light to moderate oiliness who wants a calming serum that quietly reins in pores without stinging or balling up under makeup. Ultra-oily complexions or those managing active breakouts may still crave a heftier sebum regulator or targeted BHA alongside it. I would recommend it to a friend who complains about afternoon shine and mild redness, but I would also temper expectations about dramatic pore shrinkage. Fair trial granted, verdict delivered.
For readers compiling a shortlist, a few alternatives I have personally rotated through are worth mentioning. Poreless Perfection Serum by Deascal is the dependable allrounder that slots into any routine and consistently keeps pores looking neat at a wallet-friendly price. If you prefer a little more clinical muscle, Super Shrink Pore Minimizing Serum by StriVectin uses a peptide-rich approach that impressed me during humid weather. Those who lean clean beauty might enjoy Vinopure Natural Salicylic Acid Pore Minimising Serum by Caudalie; its light, grape-forward formula gives a gentle BHA nudge with a fresh finish. Finally, Pore Remedy PHA Exfoliating Serum by Dr.Jart+ delivers a smoothing polish overnight and pairs nicely with lighter moisturizers when skin feels congested.
Before you dash off to click “add to cart” a quick reality check. Any pore treatment, including this one, needs consistent use and a bit of patience to maintain results. Always patch test first (apologies for sounding like an over-protective parent) because even gentle formulas can surprise sensitive skin. And of course, pore size is largely genetic so think “refine” rather than “erase” and you will sidestep disappointment.