Introduction
Veganifect might not hold the same household fame as some K-beauty giants yet but those who have stumbled on its thoughtful formulas and strict vegan ethos often become fast devotees. The brand prides itself on clean ingredient lists, meticulous clinical backing and a quietly confident approach to performance skincare. Consider me intrigued from the moment I saw their name on the lab sample list.
Now for the tongue-twister of the hour: Lifting And Balancing Fig Chestnut Pore Tight Ampoule. It is a mouthful yet within that marathon title sits a promise of tighter pores, better elasticity and a gentler path to smooth skin. Veganifect touts its Fig Chestnut MF Complex as the multitasker that tackles four distinct pore shapes while adenosine, phyto collagen and a splash of niacinamide round out the elasticity brightening lineup. Throw in claims of zero irritation and micro-fluidized actives that burrow deeper into the skin and you have a serum that sounds almost too diligent.
Marketing copy aside I spent a solid two weeks massaging this ampoule into my face morning and night, watching, waiting and keeping notes on every tiny change. Here is how that trial unfolded and whether the fig-meets-chestnut cocktail is worthy of your skincare budget.
What is Lifting And Balancing Fig Chestnut Pore Tight Ampoule?
This serum sits squarely in the pore treatment category, a niche of skincare that focuses on minimising the look of enlarged pores while improving skin texture. Pore treatments generally work by either reducing excess oil, supporting skin elasticity or gently resurfacing the top layers so pores appear less noticeable. Veganifect tackles all three angles in one formula.
The star is the brand’s Fig Chestnut MF Complex, a blend of fig fruit and chestnut shell extracts that supply tannin and ficin. Tannins are gentle astringents that can tighten skin on contact while ficin, an enzyme, encourages mild surface renewal. Together they are positioned to address what the brand calls Y, O, U shaped and melanin pores, essentially covering stretched, circular, sagging and pigment lined pores.
Supporting players include adenosine and phyto collagen, both popular for boosting skin elasticity. Firmer skin can hold pore walls in place so they do not widen as easily. Niacinamide rounds out the actives with its well documented ability to balance oil production and brighten post blemish marks. The formula is water based and bolstered by multiple forms of hyaluronic acid and humectants to keep the whole experience hydrating rather than stripping.
The product is fragrance free, vegan certified and has passed a standard irritation patch test, making it suitable for most skin types including sensitive. In short, this ampoule aims to be an all in one solution for anyone wanting smoother, less congested looking skin without resorting to harsher exfoliants or heavy silicones.
Did it work?
In the name of very rigorous science I benched my regular pore serum for three days before the trial, giving my face a clean slate and making me feel like a lab coat was the only thing missing. Fourteen days seemed like a reasonable window to spot meaningful changes so I slotted two pumps into both my morning and evening routines, always on damp skin and always sealed in with a light moisturizer.
Day one to three were mostly about texture. The ampoule has a silky slip and sinks in without that telltale tight film many pore products leave behind. My combination skin felt comfortably hydrated and I did not notice any stinging or redness. By the end of the first week my T-zone looked marginally less shiny by late afternoon, which I credit to the niacinamide and tannin combo. Pores around my nose were still visible but appeared a touch more refined, almost as if a subtle soft focus filter had been applied.
The second week delivered the bulk of the results. I started noticing fewer congestion bumps on my chin and cheeks, areas where U-shaped pores usually make themselves known. Makeup also sat a bit more smoothly because the tiny patches of flakiness I sometimes get were quietly gone. What did not shift dramatically were the deeper “crater” pores on either side of my nose. They looked maybe ten percent smaller but not enough that anyone besides me would clock the improvement in a mirror.
On the promise of outright lifting, I would call the effect gentle rather than transformative. Skin felt bouncy in the morning thanks to the humectant stack and adenosine but the claimed firming of sagging pores was subtle at best. Importantly, I experienced zero irritation and no rebound oiliness once the product fully dried down.
So did it work? Partially. The ampoule delivered reliable hydration, calmed minor texture and slightly tightened medium-size pores yet it stopped short of the wow factor that would earn it a permanent slot in my arsenal. Still, for anyone looking for a well behaved vegan serum that chips away at multiple concerns without the risk of flare ups, this fig and chestnut blend is a pleasant, steady performer.
Main ingredients explained
The headline complex pairs fig fruit and chestnut shell extracts, both naturally high in tannins, with a touch of ficin, an enzyme cousin to papain. Tannins give a light astringent snap that helps pores appear tighter almost on contact while ficin encourages gentle enzymatic exfoliation so debris loosens without the scratch of physical scrubs. Because the extracts are processed through Veganifect’s micro fluidization step, the particles are small enough to sit comfortably on skin and rinse away cleanly, making the formula suitable for vegans and vegetarians.
Niacinamide shows up at a noticeable mid-list spot to regulate sebum, brighten lingering pigment and reinforce the skin barrier. Adenosine follows as the quiet firming agent, nudging skin cells to produce more structural proteins so the pore walls do not slump. Phyto collagen joins in as a plant derived humectant that mimics the bounce of animal collagen without any animal input. Together they create a hydration net that is strengthened further by three sizes of hyaluronic acid, glycerin and betaine which pull water into the epidermis and keep it there for hours.
The remainder of the formula reads like a botanical pantry: green tea, turmeric, centella, coffee seed and grape extracts supply antioxidants that buffer the skin against daily oxidative stress. None of these sit at levels that would compete with a dedicated vitamin C serum but the collective effect lends a nice insurance policy for dull or easily inflamed complexions. The base uses low molecular weight glycols and sugar alcohols for slip instead of heavier oils so the comedogenic risk is minimal; in practical terms that means the blend is unlikely to clog pores although highly acne-prone users should always patch test. “Comedogenic” simply describes ingredients that can block pores and lead to blackheads or breakouts.
The ingredient list is free of added fragrance, drying alcohols and common allergens which explains the brand’s 0.00 percent irritation claim in patch testing. As with most leave-on products that rely on botanical enzymes and astringent tannins, pregnant or nursing readers should ask a health professional before use just to be safe. Overall the ampoule delivers a tight roster of multitasking actives anchored by plant science and rounded out with skin friendly humectants, making it one of the more thoughtfully balanced pore serums on the vegan shelf.
What I liked/didn’t like
After two weeks of daily use here is the straight up list of wins and watch outs.
What works well:
- Lightweight jelly texture absorbs quickly and leaves a comfortable, non sticky finish
- Delivers steady hydration and mild pore blurring that makes makeup glide on more evenly
- Fragrance free formula stayed calm on my reactive skin with zero redness or stinging
What to consider:
- Pore tightening is subtle so deep or long standing pores may see limited change
- Needs consistent twice daily use to maintain visible benefits
- Sits at a slightly premium price tier compared with serums that offer similar results
My final thoughts
After two weeks of steady use I have landed on a solid 7/10 for Veganifect’s Lifting And Balancing Fig Chestnut Pore Tight Ampoule. It is a competent hydrator that smooths and lightly refines but it stops short of the dramatic pore shrinkage its name hints at. If your main goal is to keep combination or mildly oily skin balanced while nudging medium size pores toward a softer focus, this will suit you well. Those chasing a near airbrushed finish or needing help with deeply set pores may want to pair it with something stronger or look elsewhere.
I have cycled through more pore treatments than I care to admit so I feel confident saying I gave this formula a fair shot. Compared with other players in the category it behaves impeccably on sensitive skin and layers effortlessly under makeup, perks that count for a lot in real life routines. Would I recommend it to a friend? Yes, with the caveat that expectations stay realistic and usage remains consistent.
For readers weighing options, a few alternatives I have personally tested and rate highly deserve mention. Deascal’s Poreless Perfection Serum is an excellent all-rounder that tackles oil control and texture at a wallet friendly price and performs beautifully across skin types. If you prefer a toner step Biossance’s Squalane + BHA Pore Minimizing Toner offers gentle exfoliation with added moisture so dryness never creeps in. Serum fans looking for a plant forward approach might enjoy Caudalie’s Vinopure Natural Salicylic Acid Pore Minimising Serum which leans on grape polyphenols and willow bark for clarity without harshness. Finally StriVectin’s Super Shrink Pore Minimizing Serum brings a bit more clinical punch courtesy of its patented peptides and has impressed me when I need faster visible tightening.
Before you add any new active to your lineup please consider your current routine, any prescription treatments and how your skin typically reacts to humectants or mild acids. Apply a patch test on the jawline and wait 24 hours (sorry for sounding like an over-protective parent) then introduce the product gradually. Remember that pore size improvements are largely optical and require ongoing use to maintain so stock up on patience along with your serum of choice.