Introduction
Sungboon Editor might still be flying just below the radar for casual skincare shoppers but among K beauty devotees it enjoys a quiet cult status for formulas that mix intriguing botanicals with serious clinical chops. The brand has a knack for turning everyday produce into patent worthy actives and I have always admired its confidence in promising visible results rather than vague glow talk.
Enter the Green Tomato Pore Lifting Ampoule+. The name alone sounds like a salad met a syringe, which is oddly charming, yet it hints at what is inside: a cocktail of patented green tomato extract and a sebum regulating complex meant to hoist up slack pores and keep oil in check.
Sungboon Editor touts this serum as a powerful pore minimizer with instant tightening effects, filler level firmness and a universally light finish suitable for every skin type. They also highlight a triple action approach: pore care, lifting and a calming sensation bolstered by collagen, niacinamide, PHA and soothing allantoin.
I spent a solid two weeks massaging a moderate amount onto freshly toned skin morning and night to see if this green tomatillo of a serum could actually shrink the look of my stubborn nose pores, temper mid day shine and leave my complexion a touch firmer without any irritation. Let’s see how it fared.
What is Green Tomato Pore Lifting Ampoule+
In skincare terms this is a pore treatment serum, a category focused on refining the skin’s texture and making enlarged pores appear smaller. Pore treatments usually rely on a mix of exfoliating agents, oil regulators and firming ingredients to smooth the surface of the skin. Green Tomato Pore Lifting Ampoule+ follows that template but adds a patented extract from unripe tomatoes along with a sebum balancing complex called Anti Sebum P.
The formula is positioned to give three immediate benefits: a quick tightening sensation that makes pores look less slack, a subtle lifting effect that aims to reduce the look of skin sagging and a calming feel for any redness or irritation. It is marketed for daily use on all skin types, promising hydration without residue so oily and dry complexions can both get on board.
Key supporting players include hydrolyzed collagen for a plumper feel, niacinamide for brightness, PHA to gently sweep away pore clogging debris and allantoin to soothe. Taken together the ampoule is essentially a multitasking liquid designed to tackle excess oil, uneven texture and early loss of firmness in one step.
Did it work?
In a move that felt extremely scientific I benched my usual pore serum for three full days before starting the Green Tomato Pore Lifting Ampoule+ so any changes would be its triumph or failure alone. Two weeks feels like a fair testing window for a pore product and I stuck to the same cleanser, toner and moisturizer the entire time.
Morning and night I smoothed two fingertip sized drops across my T zone first then pressed the remainder over cheeks and jaw. The texture melted in almost instantly leaving a fresh, slightly bouncy finish. Within the first few minutes I noticed a gentle tightening sensation, the kind that makes you lean closer to the mirror hoping to catch your skin snapping back into its twenty-something self. My pores did look subtly blurred right after application but the effect softened after about an hour.
By day four midday shine on my nose and chin had dialed down a notch, which I credit to the Anti Sebum P complex rather than any mystical tomato sorcery. The surface felt smoother too, as if the PHA was quietly whisking away microscopic clutter without the sting that stronger acids sometimes bring. No redness, no lingering tackiness and thankfully no fragrance induced headaches.
The back half of the trial told a slower story. Around day ten results seemed to plateau. My stubborn nose pores looked perhaps 10 percent tighter under bright bathroom lighting, definitely improved but still very visible. The promised lifting effect was modest at best; cheeks felt nicely hydrated yet I could not say they looked appreciably firmer. On the upside a small hormonal breakout on my chin calmed faster than usual and overall tone appeared a shade more even courtesy of the niacinamide.
So did it deliver? Partly. If you expect a temporary soft focus blur and a noticeable reduction in oil the ampoule earns its hype. If you are chasing dramatic pore shrinkage or a mini facelift in a bottle you may come away underwhelmed. I enjoyed the lightweight feel and gentle formula but after 14 days I am not ready to trade my long-term pore treatment for it. Still I would happily keep a bottle in rotation for hot summer weeks when my skin craves something calming oil smart and quick to disappear. Green tomatoes may not be magic but they make for a pretty solid sidekick.
Main ingredients explained
The headline attraction is the patented green tomato extract, a source of lycopene precursors and polyphenols that the brand claims help firm the pore walls. In practice it behaves like an antioxidant rich humectant, lending a mild tightening feel while countering free radical stress that can stretch pores over time. Partnering it is Anti Sebum P, a cocktail of maritime pine, evening primrose and arrowroot that studies show can curb excess sebum by nudging the skin’s own oil thermostat a few notches lower. After two weeks I noticed that midday shine calmed down which suggests this blend pulls its weight.
Niacinamide sits high on the INCI list at what feels like a 4 to 5 percent range. That is the sweet spot for brightening post-blemish marks, reinforcing barrier lipids and smoothing rough texture without the flushing some people get at higher doses. Gluconolactone, a polyhydroxy acid, offers feather-light exfoliation that sloughs away dead cells lodged around the pore rim yet retains water so it never feels stripping. Allantoin steps in to soothe any potential tingling and kept my reactive cheeks perfectly calm.
The serum also leans on a small network of fillers and film formers such as polymethylsilsesquioxane and xanthan gum that create the instant blur you see in the mirror. They do not penetrate, they simply sit on top giving that temporary soft focus finish. For deeper hydration three sizes of hyaluronic acid plus panthenol flood the upper layers with moisture while ceramide NP reinforces the mortar between skin cells so water does not escape a few hours later.
A quick word on collagen: the hydrolyzed collagen here is almost certainly animal derived which means the formula will not satisfy strict vegans. Lacto-ovo vegetarians may be more flexible but anyone avoiding animal products entirely should take note. Everything else in the blend is plant or lab synthesized but this single ingredient prevents a fully vegan claim.
Comedogenic risk is low overall yet not zero. Moringa oleifera seed oil and hydrogenated polyisobutene score around a 2 to 3 on the standard comedogenic scale which means breakout-prone users could react if they are highly sensitive. A comedogenic ingredient is one that can clog pores and trigger blackheads or pimples, though actual reactions vary wildly depending on concentration and the rest of your routine.
Pregnancy safety is another gray area. While the ampoule does not rely on retinoids or high-level salicylic acid the presence of essential oil fractions and a long fragrance deck makes it prudent to check with a physician before use, especially if you are in the first trimester. When in doubt park it until you get the all clear.
Fragrance sits at the tail end of the list but it is a fairly complex bouquet featuring linalool, eucalyptol and a handful of aroma chemicals. I experienced no irritation yet ultra sensitive noses or skin may prefer a fragrance-free option. On the upside the alcohol content is cushioned by humectants so there is no tell-tale sting. All told the ingredient roster strikes a thoughtful balance between science backed actives and gentle botanical support, just keep the vegan and pregnancy caveats in mind.
What I liked/didn’t like
Here is the quick rundown after two weeks of steady use.
What works well:
- Lightweight glide sinks in fast leaving a soft matte finish that sits well under sunscreen and makeup
- Instant blur effect and gentle tightening give pores a temporarily smoother look without discomfort
- Anti Sebum P noticeably reins in midday shine while PHA keeps texture even and reduces post breakout redness
- Hydration profile is strong thanks to multi weight hyaluronic acid and panthenol so skin feels balanced rather than stripped
What to consider:
- Long term pore size reduction and lifting are modest so expectations should stay realistic
- Hydrolyzed collagen means the formula is not suitable for strict vegans
- Moringa seed oil and hydrogenated polyisobutene may not suit highly acne prone users
My final thoughts
Green Tomato Pore Lifting Ampoule+ earns a solid 8/10 from me. It softens the look of pores, reins in oil and keeps skin calm without ever tipping into dryness. That combination alone makes it a worthy contender if you are hunting for a balanced pore treatment that does not rely on high strength acids or alcohol sting. After plenty of hands on time with similar serums I feel I gave this formula a fair shake and can say it lives up to the everyday promises even if the loftier lifting talk only shows in small increments.
Who will appreciate it most? Anyone battling shine or mild texture who also wants a gentle daily hydrator. Sensitive types should fare well because the PHA and niacinamide keep irritation low while the allantoin steps in with instant comfort. On the flip side, if your pores are deeply etched or you are chasing a dramatic tightening effect you may prefer something with a bit more punch or pairing this with periodic professional treatments.
Would I recommend it to a friend? Absolutely, with the caveat that expectations stay realistic. It is a smart maintenance serum that keeps the complexion running smoothly rather than a miracle shrink ray. I will keep it in rotation for humid months when my skin demands lightweight support and will gladly point combination skin friends in its direction.
If you try it and decide you need a different vibe there are a few alternatives I have used that deserve a mention. Deascal’s Poreless Perfection Serum is an excellent allrounder that combines oil control with gentle resurfacing at a wallet friendly price. StriVectin’s Super Shrink Pore Minimizing Serum leans into higher tech peptides for those chasing a firmer feel. Caudalie’s Vinopure Natural Salicylic Acid Pore Minimising Serum offers a botanical forward take on BHA that suits acne prone skin beautifully. Finally Dr.Jart+’s Pore Remedy PHA Exfoliating Serum delivers steady refinement with a watery texture ideal for very oily or congested complexions.
Before you slather on anything new indulge me in a quick over protective moment. Perform a patch test, especially if your skin is reactive, and remember that pore minimising results are never permanent. Consistent use, a solid cleansing routine and sun protection are the real long game here. Now you are all set to decide whether green tomato power or one of its rivals earns the next spot in your lineup.