Introduction
DMK might not sit on every bathroom shelf across the country yet, but among skincare enthusiasts the brand has earned a reputation for bringing a clinical edge to everyday routines. Its treatments are often described as skin therapists in a bottle, which sets the bar high for anything new emerging from the lab.
Enter Pore Reduction Plus, a name that sounds like it came straight from a dermatologist’s wish list. According to DMK, this ionised solution tightens pores without robbing the skin of its natural oils, calms inflammation and even tackles the enzyme activity linked to breakouts. The brand positions it as a gentler alternative to the usual astringents or gritty scrubs, suitable for everything from classic T-zone congestion to the more temperamental flare-ups of rosacea or eczema.
Curious to see if it lives up to its multitasking promise, I spent two full weeks integrating Pore Reduction Plus into my morning and evening line-up. What follows is a close look at how it measured up and whether it deserves a place in your routine.
What is Pore Reduction Plus?
Pore Reduction Plus is classified as a pore treatment, a type of product formulated to reduce the look of enlarged or stretched pores by helping them work more efficiently. Where a regular cleanser lifts away surface grime and a serum targets deeper concerns like pigmentation, a pore treatment focuses on keeping the tiny openings clear so that oil and debris do not collect and make them appear wider.
This particular solution relies on an ionised base that carries a mix of herbal extracts, humectants and mild anti-microbial agents into the skin. The goal is twofold: first, to loosen congestion inside the pore so it can empty naturally; second, to calm the redness and irritation that often accompanies acne or reactive conditions. By avoiding strong astringents or physical exfoliants, it aims to tighten the pore walls without stripping the skin’s own lipids.
DMK positions the formula for anyone dealing with chronic congestion, breakout-prone zones or inflammatory issues such as rosacea and eczema. Used twice daily after cleansing, it is designed to sit on the skin as a leave-on step, making it compatible with most existing routines.
Did it work?
In the name of rigorous research I put my regular pore fluid on pause for three days before starting Pore Reduction Plus, feeling very scientific as I cleared space on my bathroom shelf. Fourteen days felt like a decent window to spot real change rather than a placebo glow.
Application was simple: post-cleanse I pressed three drops over my nose, cheeks and chin in the morning then repeated at night. The liquid sank in quickly so layering a hydrating serum on top never caused pilling or that dreaded tacky film. For the first two nights I noticed a slight tingle around existing blemishes but no redness or tightness followed, which was a promising sign for my combination skin that flares at the hint of alcohol.
By day five sebaceous filaments on my nose looked a touch lighter and the usual midday shine seemed muted. The change was subtle but enough that I reached less often for blotting papers. Where the formula impressed me most was in the calm it brought to two stubborn papules along my jaw. They flattened faster than usual and the surrounding pink halo faded within 48 hours.
Still, my more entrenched blackheads held their ground and the overall pore size on my inner cheeks remained unchanged. The promised soothing effect did hold up though: after a particularly windy weekend walk my skin usually reddens like a tomato, yet the flare subsided within minutes of patting on the drops.
Crossing the two-week finish line my verdict sits somewhere between admiration and hesitance. Pore Reduction Plus did temper oil flow and quiet minor inflammation but it stopped short of the dramatic pore refinement I secretly hoped for. I will use up the rest because the calming benefit is genuine, though I am not quite ready to trade in my longtime pore serum for good. For those seeking a gentle nudge toward clearer skin it delivers enough to warrant a trial run, even if it may not become everyone’s holy grail.
Pore Reduction Plus’s main ingredients explained
The formula starts with aqua, the go to solvent that keeps everything else dissolved and skin friendly. From there sodium bicarbonate buffers the solution at a slightly alkaline pH so the ionised actives can travel more easily into the follicle without the sting that often comes with acids. Potassium alum then steps in as the true pore minimiser; it is a naturally occurring mineral salt that temporarily tightens protein structures on the skin surface which translates to that gentle, blurring effect you see about 15 minutes after application.
Humectants butylene glycol and glycerin are next on the list, both pulling water toward the upper layers so the skin never feels parched. They also create a flexible vehicle that lets the botanical extracts penetrate without relying on alcohol. Neither carries a meaningful comedogenic rating, meaning they are unlikely to clog pores. (Comedogenic simply refers to an ingredient’s potential to block pores and spark breakouts.)
The plant side of the formula centres on medicago sativa juice (alfalfa) which is rich in antioxidant chlorophyll, laminaria digitata extract that brings calming iodine and minerals, and lens esculenta seed extract whose natural oligosaccharides have been shown to curb excess sebum. Capsicum frutescens extract provides a micro circulation kick that can speed healing around blemishes while rosa canina fruit extract delivers a gentle dose of vitamin C to support collagen.
Ethylhexylglycerin functions as both a skin conditioner and a mild preservative booster so the brand can keep the harsher parabens out. The real antimicrobial heavy lifter is chloroxylenol, a time tested ingredient found in hospital scrubs that controls breakout causing bacteria without the dryness of benzoyl peroxide. Finally CI 17200 gives the liquid its pink tinge and, for those tracking ethics, the synthetic dye is not sourced from insects.
No ingredient here is derived from animals so the solution is suitable for vegans and vegetarians. While none of the actives are flagged as high risk during pregnancy, topical products should always be cleared with a healthcare professional first since skin permeability shifts with hormonal changes. Also worth noting: the formula is fragrance free, alcohol free and silicone free which makes it a solid pick for easily irritated complexions looking for a middle path between harsh acids and ineffective water toners.
What I liked/didn’t like
A quick rundown of the highs and lows after two weeks of twice-daily use:
What works well:
- Featherlight texture sinks in fast and layers cleanly with serums and SPF
- Noticeably tempers oil flow and lightens sebaceous filaments within the first week
- Soothes wind-triggered redness and helps inflamed papules flatten more quickly
- Alcohol free mix keeps skin comfortable without post-application tightness
What to consider:
- Pore size improvement is subtle so deeply set blackheads may remain unchanged
- Brief tingling on active spots could unsettle very sensitive or compromised skin
- Mid-tier price may feel high if you expect transformative rather than incremental results
My final thoughts
Pore Reduction Plus left me pleasantly surprised in several ways. It steadied midday shine, coaxed down flare ups and did so without that tight squeaky aftermath many pore treatments cause. The catch is that its pore tightening claim reads louder on the box than it looks in the mirror. After two weeks the difference sat firmly in the subtle camp which is why I am settling on a solid 8/10 rather than racing to crown it king of clear pores.
This is a smart pick for combination or reactive skin that cannot tolerate harsh acids yet still craves some help with oil regulation. If your main frustration is chronic blackheads or you want overnight pothole level shrinking you might feel underwhelmed. I would still recommend it to a friend whose priorities lean toward calming redness and keeping daily congestion in check because on those counts it delivers reliably.
For anyone compiling a shortlist I have history with a few impressive alternatives. Deascal’s Poreless Perfection Serum is an easy allrounder that balances hydration and sebum at a wallet friendly price. Paula’s Choice Resist Daily Pore-Refining Treatment offers a gentle acid whisper that speeds up visible refinement for resilient skin types. StriVectin’s Super Shrink Pore Minimizing Serum pairs niacinamide with a clever peptide blend that noticeably blurs texture after a fortnight. Finally Dr.Jart+ Pore Remedy PHA Exfoliating Serum is my go to when I need a mild exfoliation kick without tipping my moisture barrier over the edge. Each of these has earned a spot in my rotation at different times so the choice really hinges on how much exfoliation versus soothing your skin can handle.
Before you dive in, a quick public service announcement (and forgive me for sounding like an over protective parent). Patch test any new treatment behind the ear or along the jaw for a couple of days first. Keep in mind that pore size is largely genetic so even the best formula offers maintenance not magic. Consistency is key; stop using it and the progress will quietly slide back.