Introduction
Hanyul might not dominate western vanities the way its siblings Laneige or Sulwhasoo do, yet within Korea it enjoys near cult status for marrying cutting edge science with time honored herbal know-how. As one of Amorepacific’s hanbang darlings the brand routinely turns humble pantry staples like mugwort and red rice into quietly luxurious formulas that punch above their weight.
Enter the rather grandly titled Ginkgo Leaf Pore Resurfacing Serum. The name alone feels like a mini skin care syllabus and hints at both botanical roots and lab backed ambitions. It promises to corral oil slick T-zones, nudge pores toward invisibility and leave skin smoother than a freshly planed plank – all while remaining gentle enough for the touchiest complexions.
According to Hanyul, that balancing act relies on an in-house Ginkgo Vegan Peptide teamed with niacinamide for sebum control then rounded out by the exfoliating trifecta of AHA, BHA and PHA. The formula is vegan, mildly acidic and dermatologically tested which ticks most of the modern checklist boxes without shouting about it.
I spent a solid two weeks slotting this serum into my morning and evening routines to see whether those tidy bullet points translate into visible change and if the results justify the outlay. The verdict so far is encouraging but, as always, the devil sits in the details which we will unpack in the sections ahead.
What is Ginkgo Leaf Pore Resurfacing Serum?
Hanyul positions this formula in the pore treatment camp, a corner of skincare that targets the look and behavior of enlarged or congested pores. Pore treatments typically combine oil balancing agents with gentle exfoliants to help keep the follicle clear so it appears smaller and less prone to blackheads. Rather than focusing on hydration or barrier repair alone, they hone in on texture and sebum regulation which makes them a logical step for combination and oily skin types or anyone noticing midday shine.
In this case the serum relies on three linked strategies. First it curbs excess oil with niacinamide and a proprietary Ginkgo Vegan Peptide that, according to the brand, signals skin to moderate sebum output. Second it refines texture through a trio of acids: glycolic (AHA) to loosen surface dead cells, salicylic (BHA) to reach inside the pore lining and gluconolactone (PHA) to add a milder sweep for sensitive skin. Third it aims to reinforce the barrier so the gains hold, an often skipped step in pore care that can leave skin tight or flaky.
The liquid is formulated at a mildly acidic pH which mirrors healthy skin and is dermatologically tested for tolerance, making it approachable even for those who normally shy away from acid blends. As a dedicated pore treatment it is meant to slot in after toner, morning or night, and can be followed by a moisturizer or sunscreen as needed.
Did it work?
In the name of very scientific research I benched my long standing pore serum for three full days before starting this trial, giving my skin a clean slate and a mild panic attack. Fourteen days felt like a fair window to judge any real changes so I slotted two pumps of the Ginkgo Leaf Pore Resurfacing Serum after toner every morning and again before bed, sealing it in with a lightweight moisturizer.
The first forty eight hours brought that familiar acid tingle but no redness or stinging which I took as a good omen. By day three my T zone looked a touch less reflective by lunchtime and the stubborn congestion along my nose felt smoother when I ran a fingertip over it. Nothing earth shattering yet but certainly a quick win in the oil control department.
The middle stretch, days five through ten, showed the most noticeable shift. Whiteheads that usually camp out on my chin began surfacing sooner and clearing faster, almost like the serum was politely ushering them to the exit. I still relied on my clay mask once during the period but skipped any separate exfoliants to keep the playing field level. Skin texture across my cheeks took on that soft focus quality you get after a gentle peel while sensitivity remained at a low simmer rather than a boil.
By the end of week two pores around my nose appeared slightly tighter though not airbrushed. Midday shine stayed in check for about two extra hours which for my combination skin counts as a small victory. What I did not see was any dramatic long term mattifying effect once the serum was rinsed off and I suspect the results would plateau without pairing it with heavier hitting actives.
So did it live up to the promise? Mostly. It smoothed rough patches softened the look of pores and kept sebum on a shorter leash all without provoking irritation. Still the improvements felt incremental rather than transformative and I have other formulas that deliver similar gains at a lower price point. I will happily finish the bottle and recommend it to friends with sensitive skin who want a gentle multi acid option but I will not be rushing to make it a permanent fixture in my own lineup.
Ginkgo Leaf Pore Resurfacing Serum’s main ingredients explained
The marquee player is Ginkgo Vegan Peptide, a lab created fragment modeled on the amino acid profile of ginkgo leaves. Early in vitro data suggests it can signal sebocytes to dial back oil flow while lending antioxidant support, two qualities that dovetail neatly with the serum’s pore refining brief. Because the peptide and every other raw material used here come from non animal sources the formula is fully suitable for vegans and vegetarians.
Next comes niacinamide at what feels like a middle of the road 4-5 percent. This multitasker reinforces the lipid barrier, fades post blemish discoloration and, most relevant, helps steady sebum production so pores are less likely to stretch. Niacinamide pairs well with acids and keeps irritation potential down which may explain why I experienced only a light tingle on first application.
The exfoliating trio arrives in the form of glycolic acid (an AHA), salicylic acid (a BHA) and gluconolactone (a PHA). Glycolic has the smallest molecular weight so it slips between dead surface cells to loosen their glue, revealing fresher skin below. Salicylic is oil soluble and can worm its way inside the pore lining to dislodge trapped sebum. Gluconolactone is gentler thanks to its larger ring structure yet still offers mild turnover plus water binding benefits. Together they deliver a multi tiered polish without relying on high percentages of any single acid, making the blend tolerable for sensitive types.
Supporting players include caffeine to temporarily constrict blood vessels and reduce puffiness, betaine and glycerin for lightweight hydration, adenosine for a mild wrinkle smoothing effect and taurine to pep up tired looking skin. There is also Coptis japonica root extract, a traditional Korean medicinal herb praised for its antimicrobial properties, and a lactobacillus ferment that contributes a postbiotic nudge toward a balanced microbiome.
On the caution side we have fragrance near the bottom of the list which could be a trigger if you are extremely scent sensitive. Nothing here carries a high comedogenic rating so clog prone users can breathe easy; glycerin and niacinamide both score a zero while the plant extracts sit low on the scale. (Comedogenicity refers to an ingredient’s propensity to block pores and spur breakouts.) Salicylic acid, however, makes the formula a gray zone for pregnancy or breastfeeding. Dermatologists often advise avoiding leave on salicylates during those periods so it is best to get a green light from your doctor first.
Worth noting is the serum’s mildly acidic pH which aligns with the skin’s natural mantle allowing the acids to work efficiently without stripping. The absence of drying alcohols adds to the friendly profile. All told the ingredient deck reads like a thoughtful mashup of modern actives and understated hanbang extras aimed at smoothing, clarifying and calming in equal measure.
What I liked/didn’t like
Here is a quick look at the high and low points from two weeks of daily use.
What works well:
- Noticeably softens rough patches and refines pore appearance without triggering redness
- Balances midday shine for a couple of extra hours so makeup stays fresher
- Lightweight hydrating base layers smoothly under moisturizers and sunscreen
What to consider:
- Benefits feel incremental rather than transformative so expectations should stay realistic
- Sits at a higher price tier than many comparable pore serums
- Includes fragrance which may not suit the most reactive skin types
My final thoughts
Pore treatments sit in that Goldilocks zone of skin care: too mild and they feel like glorified moisturisers, too aggressive and you are left with an angry barrier. Hanyul’s Ginkgo Leaf Pore Resurfacing Serum lands nicely in the middle which is why it earned a solid 8/10 from me. Two weeks of steady use curbed lunchtime shine, nudged the look of my nose pores in the right direction and did so without coaxing out a single patch of redness. I have rotated through enough similar formulas to know that is not a given.
Who will appreciate it most? Combination or mildly oily skin that wants gentle multi acid action without the bite of high percentage glycolic or astringent alcohol. Reactive types who usually break up with exfoliants after the first date should put it on their short list. On the flip side if you are battling full blown cystic breakouts or expect a pore vacuum in a bottle you may find the results underwhelming. The price also nudges it into the considered purchase category so bargain hunters can find comparable efficacy elsewhere.
Would I recommend it to a friend? Absolutely, with the caveat that expectations stay realistic and that they already have the basics of cleansing and sun protection locked down. As enjoyable as the serum is it works best as a supporting act rather than the lone hero.
For readers weighing their options, a few alternatives I have road tested and rate highly deserve a mention. Deascal’s Poreless Perfection Serum is an excellent all-rounder that plays well with every skin type and comes in at a friendlier price. Caudalie’s Vinopure Natural Salicylic Acid Pore Minimising Serum offers a slightly stronger BHA kick while keeping the formula pleasantly lightweight. Dr.Jart+ Pore Remedy PHA Exfoliating Serum leans into gentler polyhydroxy acids if you crave refinement with minimal sting. Lastly Biossance Squalane + BHA Pore Minimizing Toner layers hydration with willow bark for those preferring a swipe on format but similar goals. Any of these can stand in for or partner with the Hanyul depending on your tolerance and budget.
Before you race to click add to cart a quick reality check. Consistent use is crucial as pores revert to their old ways the minute you ease off the throttle. Please patch test first even if that sounds like the nagging voice of an over-protective parent. A little caution beats a week of avoidable irritation every time.