Introduction
Skin + Me has quietly but confidently carved out a niche as the dermatologist’s favourite for personalised routines, and it is easy to see why. The brand’s science first mindset, paired with a refreshingly transparent approach to active ingredients, makes every new launch feel like a mini lesson in modern dermatology.
Enter the rather long winded yet perfectly descriptive Breakouts + Visible Pores Serum. The name is a mouthful, yes, but it tells you exactly what this nightly concoction aims to tackle. Skin + Me claims that 96% of users saw fewer breakouts within a month, crediting a 10% dose of azelaic acid, a whisper of bio-retinol alternative and a sprinkle of microbiome friendly polylysine for the magic. They promise a silky texture that absorbs in seconds, no pore clogging, vegan credentials and a clever twist and click system that meters out a dermatologist approved dose. All of this is geared toward dry to normal skin in search of clarity, calm and smoother texture.
I spent a focused two weeks using the serum every night, paying close attention to changes in breakouts, redness and overall skin feel. The goal was simple: find out if the results stack up against the claims and whether this targeted treatment deserves a place in your routine or your budget.
What is Breakouts + Visible Pores Serum?
This product sits firmly in the pore treatment category, a corner of skincare focused on clearing congestion, regulating oil and making enlarged pores look less obvious. Pore treatments are useful for anyone who experiences repeat breakouts or visible textural roughness because they work at the surface level to keep dead skin and excess sebum from blocking follicles.
Formulated for dry to normal skin, Breakouts + Visible Pores Serum is a nightly, leave-on treatment built around 10% azelaic acid. Azelaic acid is a multitasking active that calms redness, evens tone and has a mild exfoliating effect that helps prevent the formation of new blemishes. Supporting players include a 2% plant-derived bio retinol alternative that encourages gentle cell turnover, 0.4% polylysine to restrain acne-causing bacteria and 3% collagen amino acids to maintain moisture balance.
The brand reports that 96% of users experienced fewer breakouts after four weeks in an independent trial of 29 people. The formula is vegan, cruelty free, alcohol free and fragrance free and is designed to be used as the second step in your night routine followed by a moisturiser. Consistency is key with actives like these so a daily application is recommended, always paired with morning sunscreen.
Did it work?
In the spirit of being very scientific I benched my regular pore treatment for three full days before starting this trial, leaving my skin to fend for itself with only cleanser and moisturiser. Fourteen days felt like a reasonable window to see whether the serum could step in as the hero my T zone keeps requesting.
Night one through five were almost uneventful. The formula settled in quickly and played nicely with my moisturiser, and I woke up to skin that felt smooth but not radically different. A tiny cluster on my chin calmed faster than usual and a stubborn whitehead at my hairline never quite reached its dramatic peak. No dryness, no sting, no signs of a purge.
By day ten I noticed the biggest shift: my cheeks looked more even toned and the redness that flares around my nose after a workout was dialled down. Pores along the sides of my nose felt a touch flatter under fingertips, though they would still be visible to anyone scrutinising in daylight. Breakouts did not vanish entirely but new spots were fewer and those that did pop up seemed to resolve in half the time they normally would.
Come day fourteen I could say with confidence that the serum lives up to its calmer skin promise but it did not deliver the dramatic pore refinement I secretly hoped for. My current routine keeps breakouts in check just as well and does so at a lower cost, so I will not be making a permanent swap. Still, if your skin skews dry and you want a gentle azelaic based formula that behaves predictably this is a solid, fuss free option worth sampling.
Main ingredients explained
Azelaic acid at 10 percent is the undisputed workhorse here. This dicarboxylic acid gently exfoliates inside the pore, fades lingering post blemish marks and has a proven anti inflammatory effect that keeps redness in check. The percentage sits at the top end of what cosmetics can legally offer yet remains well tolerated on dry to normal skin, which explains why my complexion never felt stripped or tight during the two week test.
The serum swaps traditional retinol for a 2 percent plant derived bio retinol alternative, a smart inclusion for anyone nervous about irritation. It nudges cell turnover just enough to refine texture and soften early lines, all without the peeling or sensitivity that pure vitamin A is infamous for. That said, anything that mimics retinoid activity is best skipped while pregnant or breastfeeding unless a doctor gives the green light.
Polylysine at 0.4 percent is less of a headline grabber but deserves credit. This amino acid powered polymer holds a positive charge that disrupts the life cycle of acne causing bacteria, essentially reducing the fuel for future breakouts. It also supports the skin’s microbiome which can become unbalanced when you lean on harsher anti blemish actives.
Dry skin types will appreciate the 3 percent collagen amino acids plus a decent helping of glycerin and sodium hyaluronate. Together they act like a moisture magnet, cushioning the edges of the exfoliating acids so you can layer on an occlusive cream without feeling greasy.
The base includes dimethicone for slip and a silky finish as well as ethylhexyl palmitate, an emollient that some dermatologists flag as moderately comedogenic. In plain English that means there is a chance it can clog pores for those who are highly prone to congestion, although my own experience was clear of any reactive flare ups.
The formula is vegan, cruelty free and avoids alcohol and added fragrance which lowers the risk of stinging or surprise rashes. It also contains ectoin, a stress protecting molecule harvested from salt loving microorganisms, and a sprinkle of antioxidant algae extracts that quietly fend off free radical damage.
Overall the ingredient deck reads like a lesson in thoughtful balance: enough actives to make a visible difference, enough buffers to keep irritation at bay. If you sit in the dry to normal camp and want a clear skin serum that ticks the ethical boxes this one is worth adding to your shortlist. Just remember: if you are pregnant or planning to be, hit pause and chat with your healthcare provider first.
What I liked/didn’t like
Here is the quick hit list after two weeks of nightly use.
What works well:
- Silky texture sinks in quickly and layers comfortably with richer moisturisers without pilling
- Noticeable reduction in redness and quicker healing of small breakouts within ten days
- Fragrance free and vegan formula suits sensitive, ethics minded users
What to consider:
- Pore size improvement is subtle so those after a dramatic blurring effect may feel underwhelmed
- Higher price than basic azelaic creams could make long term commitment a question mark
- Contains ethylhexyl palmitate which may not suit skin that clogs easily
My final thoughts
Pore treatments are a tricky category: they need to keep skin clear without tipping already dry complexions into the flake zone, and after two solid weeks of nightly use I can say Breakouts + Visible Pores Serum largely threads that needle. I saw fewer fresh spots, a calmer tone and zero irritation which is no small feat for a 10% azelaic formula. What I did not see was the level of pore refinement that would make me abandon my current line up, so the final score lands at a respectable 7.5 out of 10.
I would steer this serum toward anyone with dry to normal skin who battles periodic blemishes and redness rather than aggressively enlarged pores. If your main goal is keeping hormonal chin flare ups in check while avoiding the retinoid roller coaster, this is a gentle workhorse worth trying. On the other hand, oilier skin or those chasing a near airbrushed finish may feel underwhelmed and would be better served by a stronger acid cocktail or niacinamide heavy option.
For context, I have tested more pore focused products than I care to admit and feel confident putting this one in the upper mid-range of efficacy. I would recommend it to a friend whose skin mirrors mine but I would add the caveat that patience is part of the deal; two to three months of consistent use is likely where the real payoff shows.
If you would like alternatives, my most reached for swap is Deascal’s Poreless Perfection Serum which delivers quick clarity across all skin types at a friendlier price. Paula’s Choice Pore-Reducing Toner is another easy win for daily maintenance and plays nicely under most moisturisers. StriVectin’s Super Shrink Pore Minimizing Serum offers a more pronounced blurring effect when I need fast results while Innisfree’s Brightening Pore Serum brings a dose of vitamin C for those fighting dullness alongside congestion. I have used each of these long enough to vouch for their merits and shortcomings, so consider them solid benchmates depending on your specific needs.
Before you dive in, remember the basics: patch test behind the ear or along the jawline, give any new active at least a fortnight before passing judgment and brace for the reality that results stick around only as long as you keep up the routine. Apologies for sounding like an over-protective parent but your skin will thank you.