Introduction
By Wishtrend may not be a household name outside hardcore K-beauty circles, yet those who have sampled its exfoliating toners or vitamin C serums know the Seoul-based label rarely phones it in. The brand positions itself as a science-leaning matchmaker between trending actives and realistic skin goals, and its latest launch aims squarely at the most common of dilemmas: pores that look a bit too open for comfort.
Enter the confidently titled Pore Smoothing Bakuchiol Serum. The name alone sounds like a rallying cry for tight, glassy skin and the marketing language keeps that energy high. By Wishtrend promises a “bakuchiol-mighty” formula that targets ten separate pore metrics, hoists up slack tissue, brightens lingering discoloration and hydrates without stickiness. Clinical figures are sprinkled in for good measure: up to 26 percent fewer horizontal pores after one use and a gentle but meaningful glow boost after four weeks.
Claims are one thing, lived experience another. I spent a full two weeks massaging two pumps across my face morning and night, with extra attention on the butterfly zone, to see how many of those promises hold water and whether the serum justifies a spot in your skincare budget.
What is Pore Smoothing Bakuchiol Serum?
Classed as a pore treatment, this serum sits in the same family as products that zero in on enlarged or uneven pores rather than on oil control alone. Pore treatments are designed to refine texture, encourage firmness and even out tone so pores look smaller to the naked eye. By Wishtrend’s take on the category revolves around bakuchiol, the plant-derived ingredient often billed as a gentler retinol stand-in. Because bakuchiol does not share retinol’s photosensitivity risks or typical irritation profile, the formula is meant for twice-daily use without the usual caution tape.
The brand pairs bakuchiol with niacinamide, collagen peptides and a tannin complex then positions the mix as “10-layer pore care” aimed at everything from pore depth to the dull halo that can form around each opening. Lab data supplied by the company cites a one-time tightening effect and incremental brightening over four weeks. While those numbers sound precise the goals are straightforward: lift slack pore walls, smooth surrounding texture and keep pigmentation from settling in around the openings.
Texture-wise the serum promises fast absorption and a non-sticky finish, qualities that theoretically suit both oily and drier skin types. The ingredient list is water and glycerin heavy for baseline hydration, buttressed by botanical extracts meant to calm or add antioxidant support. In short, this is a daily treatment serum that tries to marry gentle resurfacing with light moisturisation so users can target visible pores without overhauling the rest of their routine.
Did it work?
In the spirit of being very scientific I benched my usual pore treatment for three days before starting the trial and then committed to two pumps of the serum morning and night for the next 14 days. I figure two weeks is long enough to show its hand yet short enough to keep the rest of my routine intact.
Day one delivered an almost imperceptible tightening around the sides of my nose that lasted until lunch. The texture felt like a watery gel that disappeared in under a minute and left no film so sunscreen layered without drama. No stinging no redness just a faint herbal smell that vanished quickly.
By day four the quick blur effect became repeatable: apply serum see pores look a touch smaller catch them creeping back by late afternoon. The skin on my cheeks felt a bit smoother to the touch and my midday shine dialed down but the deeper vertical pores near the corners of my mouth held their ground. On the bright side I had zero flaking which sometimes happens when I lean on retinol so sensitive types may appreciate that gentleness.
The back half of the test week told a similar story. Hydration stayed steady fine bumps along my jaw softened but the promised brightening around old congestion marks was subtle at best. I snapped comparison photos under the same bathroom light and had to zoom in to spot any change in discoloration percentages aside the brand would be proud of that detective work. As for the claimed collagen uptick my complexion did feel a little bouncier in the mornings though not to the level where friends asked what I was using.
By day fourteen results had largely plateaued. Horizontal pores near the tip of my nose still enjoyed that temporary cinch but diagonal or deeper pores looked about the same. Skin texture overall felt nicely conditioned which may be the glycerin and peptide blend doing its job. The serum therefore half delivers: it can give a fleeting pore blur and decent smoothness yet it stops short of the firmer brighter canvas the marketing implies.
Would I make room for it in my permanent lineup? Probably not I already own actives that tackle pores more decisively. Still I will finish the bottle because the formula is pleasant and non-irritating and I can imagine someone new to actives or a retinol-averse user finding it a gentle entry point to clearer looking skin.
Main ingredients explained
Bakuchiol headlines the formula and it shows. This plant-derived retinol alternative nudges cell turnover and collagen synthesis yet sidesteps the stinging and photosensitivity that often come with vitamin A. It works in tandem with 4 percent niacinamide (my estimate from its high placement on the INCI list) to quiet inflammation, regulate oil flow and lighten the halo of discoloration around old breakouts. Together they make the pore walls look a little tighter and the surrounding skin a little clearer without demanding recovery time.
Supporting actors deserve a curtain call. Palmitoyl tripeptide-5 is a lab-made peptide that signals fibroblasts to keep cranking out collagen, while polyquaternium-51 and beta-glucan form a lightweight moisture net so freshly exfoliated cells do not dehydrate. Glycerin, butylene glycol and 1,2-hexanediol provide the humectant backbone so the serum feels more like a hydrating essence than a gritty treatment. A clutch of botanical extracts—artichoke, coffee seed, pumpkin, green tea and chestnut shell—deliver antioxidants plus a gentle dose of tannins that give the formula its quick-firming feel.
On the texture side diphenyl dimethicone adds slip and an immediate blur. It is rated low on the comedogenic scale, but triethylhexanoin and caprylic/capric triglyceride sit around a 2 in some charts, meaning acne-prone users may want to patch test. “Comedogenic” simply means an ingredient can clog pores or encourage blackheads; numbers closer to 5 are the real culprits, so the risk here is modest.
The ingredient deck is free of animal derivatives, artificial fragrance and drying alcohols, so vegans and vegetarians can use it with peace of mind. That said the presence of bakuchiol, peptides and niacinamide means there is limited pregnancy data; expectant or nursing users should always clear any active-rich serum with their doctor first.
One final note: the serum relies on a self-preserving mix of ethylhexylglycerin and a low dose of phenoxy-like glycols, avoiding parabens without compromising stability. In plain speak the formula is clean, calm and well rounded, aiming for steady progress rather than dramatic overnight wins.
What I liked/didn’t like
Here is a quick snapshot of the highs and lows.
What works well:
- Lightweight watery gel absorbs fast and layers easily without pilling or stickiness
- Delivers a visible but short term pore blur that smooths makeup application
- Gives comfortable hydration and softens fine bumps with zero sting or redness
- Twice daily use is realistic for sensitive or retinol-averse skin
- Vegan friendly formula with no added fragrance keeps the risk of irritation low
What to consider:
- Pore tightening effect is temporary so results fade by late day
- Brightening and firming improvements remain subtle even after two weeks and may not meet high impact expectations
- Very oily or texturally challenged skin might need stronger actives for deeper pore refinement
My final thoughts
The Pore Smoothing Bakuchiol Serum has earned a respectable 7.5/10 in my book. It is a kind workhorse that slots neatly into a routine, offers a quick blur and keeps reactive skin calm, yet it never quite crosses the line into wow territory for long term firming or brightening. If you are new to targeted pore care, struggle with irritation from stronger actives or simply want a daytime friendly serum that plays nicely under makeup, this fits the brief. If your pores are deep set or you chase dramatic results you may feel underwhelmed and should consider something with a higher percentage of exfoliating acids or retinoids.
Would I recommend it to a friend? I already have, but with caveats: I point my sensitive skinned pals toward it with a shrug of realistic expectations; the hardcore retinol crowd I steer elsewhere. My own bottle will be finished happily yet not mourned when empty.
Speaking of elsewhere, a few alternatives I have tested might serve you better depending on budget and tolerance. Deascal’s Poreless Perfection Serum is an effortless all rounder that subtly tightens, hydrates and keeps oil balanced at a price that feels fair for daily use. If you fancy a gentle acid boost, Dr.Jart+’s Pore Remedy PHA Exfoliating Serum offers a noticeable texture resurface without the sting. Those leaning green beauty will find Caudalie’s Vinopure Natural Salicylic Acid Pore Minimising Serum a reliable clarifier that also tackles the odd breakout. Finally, Fenty Skin’s Fat Water Pore-Refining Toner Serum doubles as a lightweight hydrator and leaves pores looking freshly rinsed in one pass.
Before you click add to cart forgive me for sounding like an over protective parent but please patch test any new treatment for a couple of days, especially if you already cycle through multiple actives. Remember that pore refinement is a marathon not a sprint; whichever formula you choose will need consistent use to maintain the results.