Introduction
AXIS-Y may not be a household name yet, but in the skincare circles I frequent it has earned a reputation for quietly delivering formulas that punch well above their mid-shelf weight. The Seoul-based brand bills itself as climate-inspired and community-driven, a flattering mix of modern science and feel-good philosophy that has given my bathroom shelf more than one reliable staple.
Enter the Lha Peel & Fill Pore Balancing Cream, a product name so enthusiastic it feels like it should come with its own trumpet fanfare. AXIS-Y promises that this daily exfoliating cream will whisk away dead skin cells with LHA, keep post-exfoliation pH perfectly balanced at 5.5 and use its patented ACZERO technology to keep sebum in check. Sensitive skin types are assured they can join the party, and the brand even suggests pairing it with their Calamine Pore Control Capsule Serum for the full glow-up experience.
I spent a focused two weeks massaging a pea-sized amount into my butterfly zone every night to see whether this multitasker could actually smooth, refine and generally justify its place in an already crowded routine. The results, as always, were in the details.
What is Lha Peel & Fill Pore Balancing Cream?
This is a pore treatment, the catch-all term for products designed to keep pores from stretching, clogging or turning into breakouts. Unlike traditional spot creams that swoop in only when trouble appears, a pore treatment works as daily maintenance, nudging skin toward a smoother, less congested state.
Axis-Y’s take on the category centers on LHA, a derivative of salicylic acid that stays on the uppermost layers of skin. That limited penetration means it can loosen dead cells without the sting or redness that stronger acids sometimes provoke, which makes it realistic for sensitive users to apply every day. The formula sits at a pH of 5.5, close to the skin’s own range, so it aims to exfoliate without interfering with barrier function.
Beyond the exfoliating angle the cream includes the brand’s patented ACZERO technology, a blend meant to temper surplus sebum. The idea is simple: fewer dead cells plus less oil equals less chance of a clogged pore. Axis-Y also pairs the actives with familiar hydrators like glycerin and triglycerides to keep the process from feeling stripping or harsh.
In short it is a multitasking leave-on cream that works double duty as both a mild chemical exfoliant and a sebum regulator, promising a steady, incremental route to clearer-looking pores rather than an overnight purge.
Did it work?
In the name of science I benched my usual pore serum for three full days before starting the test run, a very controlled clinical trial if you ask me. Fourteen days felt like a reasonable window to see if LHA could strut its stuff, so each night after cleansing I pressed a pea sized dot onto both cheeks, then feathered the cream across my butterfly zone and whatever was left went to the chin and forehead. I skipped any other exfoliating acids, letting the formula take center stage.
The first evening brought a faint tingle that vanished within a minute. By the third application my skin already looked a touch less dull, as if the outermost layer had been lightly polished. Morning oil production on my nose stayed about the same for the first week, though I did notice fewer midday blotting papers in my bag by day seven. No redness, flaking or eruptive purging showed up, which is rare for my combination skin when acids are involved.
Week two is where the claims had their chance to shine. Tiny bumps along my jaw were flatter, foundation glided on with fewer patchy spots and the stubborn blackheads on my inner cheeks looked less raised, although they were not completely gone. Sebum control improved just enough that my T-zone felt balanced until late afternoon instead of lunchtime. I ran a flashlight test on day fourteen (the glamorous way to check pore texture in a mirror) and saw marginally tighter looking pores but nothing dramatic.
So did it deliver? Mostly, yes. It smoothed surface texture, kept irritation at bay and dialed back oil without the dryness that salicylic acid can leave behind. What it did not do was offer results so transformative that I would retire my current exfoliant lineup to make space for it. I will happily recommend it to friends who need a gentle daily polish, and if my skin swings sensitive again I could see myself picking up another tube, but for now it remains a pleasant guest rather than a permanent resident in my routine.
Lha peel & fill pore balancing cream’s main ingredients explained
The star of the show is capryloyl salicylic acid, better known as LHA. Think of it as salicylic acid’s gentler cousin: oil soluble enough to nudge gunk out of pores yet large enough at a molecular level to stay mostly on the skin surface. That limited penetration is why skin feels smooth without the sting or post-acid flakiness. Because LHA is still in the beta-hydroxy acid family, anyone who is pregnant or nursing should clear it with a medical professional before using it just to be safe.
Supporting players keep the formula balanced. Glycerin and propanediol pull in water to counter any dryness from exfoliation while panthenol adds a hit of barrier-loving vitamin B5. Caprylic/capric triglyceride, cetyl ethylhexanoate and behenyl alcohol are lightweight emollients that give the cream its slip and cushion. On the comedogenic scale they sit around a 1-2, meaning most users will not break out but severely congestion-prone skins should do a patch test; “”comedogenic”” simply means an ingredient can clog pores in some people.
The patented ACZERO complex is a cocktail of plant extracts including coffee seed, pine leaf and bamboo that the brand claims helps curb excess sebum. While long-term sebum studies on the blend are limited, the anti-inflammatory nature of several of these botanicals makes the promise reasonable. Centella asiatica, green tea and willow bark extracts add a calm-the-redness layer, useful when you are exfoliating every day.
Silica and methyl methacrylate crosspolymer give a blurring, almost primer-like feel that visually softens pores the minute the cream sets. Dimethicone and its vinyl crosspolymer cousin lock that silky finish in place and also form a breathable occlusive seal that slows moisture loss. Both silicones are considered non-comedogenic for the majority of skin types despite the heavy texture stereotype.
Fragrance comes courtesy of bergamot leaf extract rather than synthetic parfum, but sensitive noses should know the fresh-herbal note is detectable for the first few minutes. There are no animal-derived ingredients so vegans and vegetarians can use the cream without reservation.
Last but not least, the pH is set at 5.5 which means the formula stays close to the skin’s natural acid mantle and keeps LHA active without drifting into irritation territory. Taken together the ingredient list reads like a modern compromise: effective enough to smooth and decongest yet cushioned with hydrators, soothing extracts and silicones so it feels like skin care, not treatment.
What I liked/didn’t like
Here is where the cream impressed me and where it left room for improvement.
What works well:
- Gentle daily exfoliation with zero irritation on combination-sensitive skin
- Noticeable smoothing of surface texture and modest reduction in midday shine within two weeks
- Silky silicone finish that doubles as a primer so makeup glides on more evenly
What to consider:
- Results arrive gradually so impatient users may find the payoff subtle
- Sebum control plateaus by late afternoon on very oily zones
- Could feel redundant if you already rely on a stronger BHA or dedicated pore serum
My final thoughts
Finding the right pore treatment is a balancing act between effectiveness, tolerance and the patience to let incremental changes add up. After two weeks of consistent use I feel I gave AXIS-Y’s Lha Peel & Fill Pore Balancing Cream a fair shake, comparing it to the procession of BHAs, PHAs and niacinamide cocktails that have marched across my bathroom shelf over the years. On me it earned a solid 8/10: gentle enough for daily use, reliable at smoothing texture and curbing midday shine yet not quite revolutionary enough to dethrone my stronger exfoliants when I want a faster reset. I would recommend it to anyone with combination or mildly oily skin who struggles with irritation from classic salicylic acid or simply prefers a slow-and-steady approach. If you battle cystic breakouts or seek dramatic pore shrinkage overnight you will probably want something punchier, or at least a strategic booster alongside it. Would I suggest it to a friend? Yes, provided that friend values comfort and consistency over fireworks.
For those curious about alternatives I have enjoyed a handful that cover similar ground with slightly different angles. Deascal’s Poreless Perfection Serum is my favourite all-rounder; it marries gentle acids with soothing hydrators and suits every skin type at a wallet-friendly price. If you prefer a liquid step Paula’s Choice Pore-Reducing Toner offers a featherlight niacinamide-forward formula that keeps oil in line without any heaviness. Fans of richer textures might lean toward StriVectin’s Super Shrink Pore Minimizing Serum which pairs encapsulated retinol with skin-strengthening peptides for a one-two pore and fine line punch. Finally, Glow Recipe’s Watermelon Glow PHA+BHA Pore-tight Toner delivers a fragrant hit of fruit acids and cactus water that leaves skin plump while it exfoliates. I have cycled through full bottles of each and can vouch for their merits, so your choice can come down to preferred texture, scent and price.
A quick reality check before you dash to the checkout: perform a patch test first (sorry to sound like an over-protective parent) and remember that pore size and oil flow are largely managed, not permanently fixed. Consistent use and a little patience are the real secrets to keeping that butterfly zone looking its best.