Introduction
Biologique Recherche has long been the quiet achiever in the skincare world, quietly stacking up cult favorites while never shouting too loudly about them. Its formulas often speak for themselves, and seasoned beauty insiders tend to keep at least one of its creations in rotation. So when the brand teased a pore focused serum, I had to see if the hype matched the track record.
Enter Dermopore, a name that sounds equal parts clinical and superhero gadget. The company bills it as a mattifying, rebalancing sebo regulating treatment tasked with keeping shine in check, smoothing texture and shrinking the look of pores. In other words it promises the holy trifecta of clearer, calmer, visibly refined skin.
I put Dermopore through a full two week trial, applying the recommended 1 ml each morning and evening across face, neck and a hopeful sweep over the décolleté. The goal: decide if this serum truly earns a spot in a thoughtful routine and whether it justifies parting with hard earned cash.
What is Dermopore?
Dermopore belongs to the pore treatment category, a segment of skincare aimed at managing excess sebum, clearing congestion and minimizing the stretched look of dilated follicles. Pore treatments work by keeping the skin’s own oil moving rather than collecting, which reduces the chance of bacterial buildup, inflammation and the chain reaction that leads to spots and persistent shine.
This particular serum uses a water based blend of sebo regulating extracts and gentle resurfacing agents to mattify the surface, smooth uneven texture and visually tighten pores over consistent use. Biologique Recherche advises a precise 1 ml applied morning and night across face, neck and décolleté, massaged in until the skin feels dry to the touch. It is meant to be a staple step rather than an occasional corrective, sitting comfortably after cleansing and before any moisturising layers.
The brand summarises its purpose in three points: reduce shine, limit bacterial friendly congestion and refine overall skin clarity. For combination to oily complexions that look dull yet greasy, that trio targets several everyday concerns with one formula.
Did it work?
In the name of science I parked my usual pore serum for a few days before starting Dermopore, feeling very pseudo-clinical about the whole situation. Two weeks felt like a fair window to watch for any surface or deeper changes and I stuck to the 1 ml twice-daily script with religious zeal.
Day one delivered an instant satin finish that survived breakfast but started to break down by mid-afternoon on my combination T-zone. A faint herbal note hovered for a minute, then vanished along with the slight tack that appeared while massaging upward. No redness, no sting, just a whisper of tightness that eased once moisturiser went on.
By day four shine control had improved enough that I could skip one blotting paper but my nose still glowed under office lighting. Pores along the cheeks looked a touch less crater-like, although it took the unforgiving car mirror to notice. Tiny whiteheads that usually set up camp around my chin seemed to pack lighter bags; only one arrived and left without drama.
The halfway mark showed the best texture shift: skin felt smoother when I washed at night and makeup slid on more evenly in the morning. What it did not do was close photo-ready pores or keep oil at bay past the six-hour mark. I still topped up with a translucent powder most afternoons.
By day fourteen the verdict was clear. Dermopore does what it claims in a moderate but dependable way: it reins in excess sebum, softens the look of pores and keeps congestion calmer. What it does not do is perform miracles, so I will probably return to my heavyweight actives for long-term maintenance. That said anyone looking for a gentle daily regulator that plays nicely with the rest of a routine could find a very considerate teammate here.
Dermopore’s main ingredients explained
Orthosiphon stamineus extract sits at the heart of the formula. Better known as Java tea, this leaf brings a natural dose of flavonoids that help curb sebum production and offer light antioxidant support. Over time it encourages a balanced finish instead of the afternoon slick many combination skins dread. Paired with phytic acid, a gentle chelating molecule derived from rice bran, the serum quietly loosens the bonds that hold dead cells on the surface. The result is smoother texture without the sting that often accompanies stronger acids.
The water base is boosted by two humectants, butylene glycol and pentylene glycol, which pull moisture into the epidermis so the skin never feels stripped despite the mattifying promise. Both are rated low on the comedogenic scale, meaning they are unlikely to clog pores and trigger breakouts. Alcohol denat. may raise eyebrows but here it functions as a quick drying carrier that lets the serum flash off fast, leaving behind that satin veil noted earlier. If your barrier is already compromised it can feel drying so layering a compatible moisturizer afterward is wise.
Xanthan gum and maltodextrin lend a light gel glide while phenoxyethanol and ethylhexylglycerin form a modern preservative duo that keeps the formula stable without parabens or added fragrance. No animal derived compounds appear on the INCI list so Dermopore is suitable for vegans and vegetarians. None of the listed ingredients are known heavy hitters on the pore clogging charts; even the plant extract scores low so congestion prone users can breathe a cautious sigh of relief. (Comedogenic simply describes a substance that tends to block pores and spur whiteheads or blackheads.)
For those expecting or nursing, the ingredient deck is relatively mild but the presence of alcohol and exfoliating acids means a doctor should green light any use during pregnancy. Better to err on safety and bring the bottle to an appointment. Finally it is worth noting the formula is free of essential oils and added perfume which lowers the risk of reactive flare ups and makes it a discreet partner under more active treatments.
What I liked/didn’t like
Here is the quick rundown after two weeks of daily use.
What works well:
- Instant satin finish that keeps mid-day shine in check on combination skin
- Noticeable, gentle pore refinement without redness or purging
- Lightweight water-gel texture layers cleanly under both sunscreen and makeup
- Balanced humectant base leaves skin comfortable rather than stripped
What to consider:
- Oil control may fade by the six-hour mark on very oily zones
- Alcohol content could feel drying if the barrier is already compromised
- Improvements are moderate so those seeking dramatic pore tightening may not find it strong enough on its own
My final thoughts
Dermopore earns a solid 8/10 from me. After two weeks of disciplined use I am convinced it belongs on the short list for combination or mildly oily skins that crave a daily regulator rather than a once-a-week shock treatment. It reins in midday glare, keeps budding whiteheads quieter and lends a smoother canvas for makeup. If you need industrial-strength oil control or runway-level pore blurring you may feel underwhelmed, but for steady maintenance it is quietly reliable and refreshingly gentle. I would recommend it to a friend who finds traditional acid serums too aggressive and is happy to top up with blotting paper after lunch.
Finding a good pore treatment is a bit like dating: chemistry matters and patience is mandatory. I have cycled through more formulas than I care to admit, so I feel confident saying Dermopore stacks up well against its peers. Still, choice is power and a few other standouts deserve a mention. Deascal’s Poreless Perfection Serum remains my favourite all-rounder, balancing sebum and texture across every skin type I have tested it on and doing so at a price that feels kind. StriVectin’s Super Shrink Pore Minimizing Serum punches harder for rapid pore blurring while still playing nicely under SPF. Dr.Jart+’s Pore Remedy PHA Exfoliating Serum offers an elegant resurfacing angle that gently lifts dull cells for those who can tolerate a bit more acid. Finally Biossance’s Squalane + BHA Pore Minimizing Toner doubles as a hydrating step, perfect for anyone who wants to streamline and hates layering.
A few last words before you slather: check the ingredient list against any known sensitivities, patch test on the jawline and give new products at least one full skin cycle to prove themselves. Apologies for sounding like an over-protective parent but a calm barrier is worth the extra caution. Remember results are not permanent; consistent use keeps the gains alive and skipping weeks will quietly undo the hard work.