Introduction
Be The Skin might not be the loudest voice on the K-beauty shelf but its reputation for nature-forward formulas and quietly impressive results has earned it a devoted following. The brand seems to play matchmaker between science and botanicals and more often than not the pairing is a happy one.
Enter Botanical Pore Serum. The name alone sounds like it should be growing out of a dew-kissed greenhouse and, in typical Be The Skin fashion, the press blurb leans hard into that imagery. We are promised a cocktail of botanical herbs, Alaskan glacier water and mineral-rich sea plants that will soothe, hydrate and keep excess oil in check. The serum is pitched as silky with a clean scent plus hydration that goes the distance. Application is as simple as dotting it around the face after toning then patting it in for full absorption.
To see if the claims held up outside of marketing copy I cleared space on my vanity and put the serum through a full two-week trial, morning and night. What follows is an honest take on how it behaved on real skin and whether it deserves a place in your routine.
What is Botanical Pore Serum?
Botanical Pore Serum sits in the pore treatment category, a corner of skincare focused on refining the look of pores by balancing oil production and maintaining proper hydration. Pore treatments are useful for anyone who deals with excess shine, makeup settling into enlarged pores or a rough skin texture that never quite looks smooth. They usually rely on lightweight formulas that deliver active ingredients without suffocating the skin.
This particular serum uses a water-based, silicone-enhanced blend that feels silky on contact. The formula pairs botanical herbs with Alaskan glacier water and mineral-dense sea plants. Together they aim to soothe irritation, hydrate deeply and keep sebum levels in check so pores appear less pronounced over time.
Because it is a serum, it is designed to slot in after cleansing and toning and before heavier creams. A moderate amount patted over the cheeks, forehead, nose and chin is enough to form a thin layer that absorbs quickly, leaving skin ready for the next step without a sticky aftermath.
Did it work?
In the spirit of rigorous skincare science I parked my usual pore treatment for three full days before cracking this open, which felt both reckless and very scientific of me. Fourteen days seemed like a fair window to decide if my T-zone would throw a party or call the dermatologist.
I applied two pumps each morning after toner and repeated at night, pressing it in until that silky slip disappeared. The first thing I noticed was instant relief from the tight post-cleanse feeling. My cheeks stayed comfortably hydrated through a full workday with no midday flakiness, something my combination skin loves to spring on me when a formula is too light. During the first week oil control was moderate. By early afternoon there was still a polite sheen on my nose but less of the usual slide-off. Makeup sat a little smoother, though pores around my nostrils looked only marginally blurred.
The second week was more telling. Hydration remained consistent and I stopped reaching for blotting papers until late afternoon. Those stubborn pores looked a touch softer, especially under foundation, but they were still clearly present. I never experienced redness or tingling even on freshly exfoliated skin, so the soothing claim checks out. What I did not see was a dramatic refinement that had me snapping close-ups for social media. Improvements felt incremental rather than transformative.
So did it deliver? Mostly yes. It kept my skin calm, comfortably hydrated and a bit less shiny which aligns with its promises. Still, the visible pore tightening was too subtle to make me abandon my current favorite, so I will finish the bottle gladly but not rush to repurchase. If you crave gentle hydration with bonus oil control it is worth a test drive even if it may not become the love of your skincare life.
Main ingredients explained
The serum opens with water followed by cyclopentasiloxane, butylene glycol and a network of silky silicones that give the formula its glide while acting as an occlusive veil to keep hydration locked in. Cyclopentasiloxane evaporates quickly so it helps deliver actives without leaving a heavy feel. Dimethicone and polysilicone-11 smooth texture and scatter light which is why skin looks a touch blurred right after application.
Next come the namesake botanicals. Laurus nobilis leaf, ginger root, thyme flower-leaf and sage extracts bring antioxidant backup and a mild astringent edge to curb excess oil. Poterium officinale root and artemisia umbelliformis are traditional soothing herbs that calm redness, handy if you are the sensitive sort. The formula also leans on buddleja davidii, an ultraviolet-protective plant extract often used to reinforce the skin’s own defense against environmental stressors.
The hydration punch arrives from Alaskan glacier water bolstered by a cluster of sea plants like ecklonia cava, hizikia fusiforme, codium tomentosum and gelidium cartilagineum. These marine extracts are naturally rich in minerals such as magnesium, zinc and copper which support the skin barrier and can quietly temper sebum activity over time. A sprinkling of amino acid lysine plus gluconolactone, a gentle polyhydroxy acid, rounds out the moisture and barrier support story.
Preservation is handled by phenethyl alcohol, caprylyl glycol and 1,2-hexanediol which are considered skin friendly at the percentages typically used. Fragrance sits near the bottom and is followed by potential allergens like limonene and linalool so very sensitive noses should patch test first.
The recipe is free of obvious animal-derived materials so vegans and vegetarians can use it without second guessing. As for pore clogging potential the formula scores low: dimethicone is technically on some comedogenic lists yet ranks around 2 out of 5 and is widely tolerated; isohexadecane is similar. In practical terms the blend feels breathable and it did not trigger congestion during my trial. (Comedogenic simply means an ingredient tends to clog pores resulting in breakouts.)
Pregnancy safety is trickier. While none of the components are flagged as high-risk they include essential oil derivatives such as cinnamon bark and ginger. Out of caution anyone who is pregnant or breastfeeding should speak with a healthcare professional before adding this or any new topical to their routine.
One last note: the serum contains aluminum, copper and manganese chlorides in trace amounts. These are mineral salts that act as micronutrients for the skin but could cause irritation if you have a metal sensitivity. Otherwise the ingredient list is impressively balanced between soothing botanicals, barrier-building minerals and feather-light hydrators which explains why it behaves more like a steady multivitamin than a one-hit wonder.
What I liked/didn’t like
Here is the quick rundown after two weeks of steady use.
What works well:
- Light, silky texture absorbs fast and layers easily under makeup
- Long lasting hydration keeps cheeks comfortable through a full day
- Moderate oil control that pushes back shine until late afternoon
- Calming blend of herbs shows no redness or stinging even after exfoliation
- Subtle clean scent adds a pleasant moment without lingering
What to consider:
- Pore blurring is gentle and may not satisfy those seeking dramatic refinement
- Silicone rich feel might not appeal to users who prefer entirely water based formulas
- Contains fragrance which sensitive skin types could find irritating
My final thoughts
After two weeks of diligent morning-and-night use I can say Botanical Pore Serum earns its 8/10. It calms, hydrates and reins in midday shine with a gentle hand that feels right for combination or slightly oily skin that dislikes harsh actives. If your chief goal is a total vanishing act for larger pores you may crave something punchier but if you want a dependable daily serum that behaves politely under SPF and makeup this is a solid choice. I have cycled through more pore treatments than I care to admit and gave this one the same fair shake I grant every new entrant. It held its own yet stopped short of knocking my long-time favorite from top spot. Would I recommend it to a friend? Yes, provided they understand the results are subtle rather than dramatic.
Who should skip it? Fragrance-averse users or anyone firmly anti-silicone might prefer a different route. Everyone else, especially those who juggle dehydration and surface oil, will likely appreciate the balanced finish.
If you want to explore beyond Be The Skin I have firsthand experience with several worthy alternatives. Poreless Perfection Serum by Deascal is an excellent allrounder that noticeably tightens the look of pores across every skin type at a refreshingly reasonable price. Squalane + BHA Pore Minimizing Toner by Biossance pairs gentle acids with barrier-loving squalane for those leaning drier yet still craving refinement. Super Matcha Pore Tightening Serum by Some By Mi gives a brisk tea-infused hit that excels at controlling sebum in humid climates. Finally Pore Solution Radiance Serum by Feelkeen marries niacinamide with mild fruit acids for users who want clarity and brightness in one step.
Before you add any new product to your routine remember a few basics: patch test on a discreet area, introduce only one new formula at a time and give it at least a couple of weeks to show its true colors. Apologies for sounding like an over-protective parent but your skin will thank you. Also keep in mind that pore minimization is a maintenance game; once you stop using a product the improvements gradually fade so consistency is key.