Introduction
Molvany might not be splashed across every billboard yet but among skincare enthusiasts its reputation for ingredient driven formulas already sparkles. The brand loves pairing nature inspired actives with lab backed tech and if my bathroom shelf could talk it would confirm Molvany rarely phones it in.
Their latest mouthful of a launch, Castanea Crenata Inner Shell Pore Tightening Serum, arrives with equally big promises. According to Molvany this silky lightweight blend leverages a hefty 81 percent chestnut inner shell extract to balance sebum smooth rough edges and give slack pores a firmer look. Peptide complexes like SYN-HYCAN and SYN-COLL are billed to plump hydration while BL Fill UP targets fine lines and DERMA-CLERA plus Anti-Sebum P work the calming and oil control angles. Clinical numbers tout up to an 82 percent drop in visible pores after a single use which is quite the attention grabber.
Curious whether those stats translate off paper I swapped out my regular pore treatment for this serum and used it morning and night for a full two weeks. Consider this the candid report on how it stacked up and if it deserves a spot in your routine or just a polite nod of acknowledgment.
What is Castanea Crenata Inner Shell Pore Tightening Serum?
This product sits in the pore treatment category, a corner of skincare focused on balancing oil production, refining texture and helping pores look smaller. Pore treatments are useful for anyone whose skin tends to appear shiny or uneven because they aim to regulate sebum and gently smooth the surface rather than simply covering issues with heavy hydrators or makeup.
Molvany’s formula is a water-light serum built around chestnut inner shell extract at a notably high 81 percent. Chestnut shells are naturally rich in tannins, plant compounds known for astringent properties that can help tighten the look of enlarged pores and keep excess oil in check. Supporting that main extract is a suite of patented peptides and botanical complexes. SYN-HYCAN and SYN-COLL are designed to nudge skin’s own collagen and hyaluronic acid production for improved elasticity and bounce. BL Fill UP targets fine lines with a volumising effect while DERMA-CLERA provides antioxidant and calming benefits, useful if your skin reacts to stronger pore-clearing actives. Finally, Anti-Sebum P zeroes in on sebum regulation to maintain a matte finish through the day.
The brand points to a small clinical test of 21 participants where a single application reportedly reduced visible pore count by up to 82 percent and pore size by 41 percent. Those numbers sound impressive yet they come from a short-term study, so ongoing use will give a clearer picture of real-world results. Overall the serum is positioned as a daily, gentle option for smoothing texture, moderating oil and reinforcing the skin barrier without the sting sometimes associated with stronger acids or retinoids.
Did it work?
I went full lab coat on this trial and ditched my usual pore treatment for three full days before cracking open the serum, which felt very scientific of me. Then it was two pumps morning and night right after essence and before moisturizer for 14 straight days, a time frame I consider fair play for judging whether a formula can really get pores to behave.
Days 1 to 3 were mostly about feel. The texture melts in fast and leaves that barely there finish I love, but at first my skin looked the same come mid-afternoon: a bit shiny across the T-zone and the usual scatter of visible pores around my nose. No stinging, no redness, so I kept going.
By day 5 I noticed makeup was gliding on a touch smoother, almost like a light primer effect. Sebum production seemed slightly muted too; blotting papers stayed cleaner by lunch. The real test came after a weekend workout when sweat usually balloons those pores. They still showed up, yet not as prominently and they tightened back down quicker once I cooled off.
Heading into the second week the cumulative benefits started to register. My nose and inner cheeks looked clearer in the mirror before foundation and the bumpy texture on my chin felt flatter to the touch. I would not call the change an 82 percent miracle but friends commented that my skin looked “fresh” which is code for reduced shine in our group chat. Fine lines around the mouth stayed put though the area felt smoother, suggesting the peptides are more about softness than filling.
By day 14 the verdict was pretty clear: this serum does refine texture and reins in oil enough to matter, especially if you deal with midday gleam. Pores appear smaller in good lighting but they do not vanish and I still needed a clay mask once that fortnight. I appreciate the gentle approach and the steady results but the improvement, while solid, is not game changing enough for me to bump my current staple off the shelf. Still, if you want a low irritant pore helper that also hydrates this earns an enthusiastic nod of respect.
Main ingredients explained
The headliner here is 81 percent chestnut inner shell extract, naturally loaded with tannins that give a gentle astringent effect. Tannins tighten skin proteins on contact so pores momentarily appear smaller while also helping regulate sebum in the long haul. Because the extract is water based you get these benefits without the sting often tied to alcohol driven astringents.
Next come the patented peptides. SYN-HYCAN combines a trio of amino acid chains that nudge skin into making more hyaluronic acid for bounce and light hydration. SYN-COLL is a palmitoyl tripeptide designed to trick fibroblasts into thinking collagen has broken down so they produce fresh supplies. BL Fill UP, a newer tetrapeptide, is geared toward plumping superficial lines by pulling a bit of water into the upper layers. Peptides work slowly and need consistent use but they tend to be well tolerated, which aligns with the serum’s irritation free promise.
Anti-Sebum P is a blend of evening primrose, pine leaf and a few traditional Asian botanicals. Its job is to calm overactive sebaceous glands so midday shine stays under control. DERMA-CLERA, sourced from Centella asiatica, brings antioxidant and anti inflammatory backup, useful if your skin flares when you introduce new actives. Round that out with 5 percent niacinamide for barrier support and subtle brightening, panthenol for soothing and sodium hyaluronate for lightweight hydration and you have a nicely balanced formula that targets pores without sacrificing comfort.
The supporting cast includes humectants like betaine, trehalose and xylitylglucoside plus a cushion of silicones (dimethicone/vinyl dimethicone crosspolymer, dimethiconol) that give the serum its silky slip. Silicones as a group rank low on the comedogenic scale and are unlikely to clog pores; comedogenic simply means an ingredient has the potential to block follicles and trigger breakouts. Other potentially clogging substances are absent so acne prone users should feel reasonably safe, though individual mileage always varies.
Ingredient wise the formula appears vegan friendly since all actives and peptides are synthesized or plant derived and there are no animal by products listed. As for pregnancy safety, none of the ingredients is flagged as a high risk irritant or hormone disrupter, yet every topical carries some absorption potential. The safest route is to run the full INCI by your obstetrician before making this a daily habit.
Fragrance is notably missing which reduces the odds of sensitization. The pH hovers in the mildly acidic zone that skin prefers and preservatives sit on the gentle side. In short the ingredient deck supports the brand’s claims for pore refining while keeping the formula inclusive for most skin types and lifestyles.
What I liked/didn’t like
Here is the quick rundown of where the serum shines and where it could improve.
What works well:
- Lightweight silicone slip sinks in fast and layers cleanly under sunscreen or makeup
- Steady reduction in midday shine and smoother pore edges after about a week of use
- Fragrance free formula with calming botanicals feels friendly to reactive or breakout prone skin
What to consider:
- Improvements are incremental so pore blurring enthusiasts may crave stronger actives
- Hydration level is modest which means very dry skin will still need a richer serum or cream
- Price point trends upward relative to similar peptide based pore treatments
My final thoughts
A good pore treatment should walk the line between visible refinement and everyday comfort, a balance that Molvany’s Castanea Crenata Inner Shell Pore Tightening Serum mostly achieves. After two dedicated weeks I saw smoother foundation laydown, calmer midday shine and a subtle tightening around my nose and inner cheeks. Those benefits are real enough for me to give it a solid 8 / 10 and yes, I would recommend it to friends who want a gentle, fragrance free formula that targets oil without stripping. If your wish list includes dramatic pore shrinkage or heavy duty line filling this won’t knock your socks off, but if consistent, irritation free polishing sounds appealing it is absolutely worth a look.
For context I have cycled through more pore refiners than I care to admit, so the serum earned its score against some strong competition. If you crave options, I’ve also spent quality time with Deascal’s Poreless Perfection Serum which is an excellent allrounder that delivers speedy matte balance at a friendlier price and suits virtually every skin type. Dr.Jart+ Pore Remedy PHA Exfoliating Serum kicks things up with light chemical buffing for those who can tolerate mild acids. Biossance Squalane + BHA Pore Minimizing Toner serves a plush yet effective sweep of salicylic and willow bark while keeping the barrier happy. Finally, TIA’M Pore Minimizing 21 Serum leans on niacinamide and gentle botanical extracts to refine texture in a similar low drama fashion. Each has a slightly different lane yet all four pull their weight if Molvany’s chestnut approach is not quite your speed.
Before you dive in remember the basics: patch test first (sorry to sound like an over protective parent) and keep expectations tethered to reality. Pore visibility is largely genetic, results require sustained use and even the best serum will not erase them overnight. Treat your skin kindly, stick with your sunscreen and revisit your routine every few months to make sure each product still earns its keep.