Introduction
Fation may not yet be a household name outside the most devoted K-beauty circles, but insiders know it as the quietly confident lab that keeps outpacing bigger players with smart, skin-respecting formulas. The brand’s latest effort, Nosca9 Pore Enhancing Serum, continues that reputation with a name that sounds like something borrowed from a sci-fi screenplay and a formula that reads like a skin-care wish list.
In short, Fation says Nosca9 is a lightweight, watery treatment designed to shrink the look of every kind of pore while calming irritation and reining in oil. Retinal headlines the actives, flanked by Heparin RX Complex for soothing, barrier-loving lipids for resilience and a dash of apple extract to mop up sebum. The company promises smoother texture, less shine and a non-sticky finish that even sensitive skin can embrace.
Those claims were intriguing enough for me to slot the serum into my routine twice daily for a solid two weeks, taking notes on feel, results and any surprises to judge if it really deserves a spot on your shelf and a slice of your budget.
What is Nosca9 Pore Enhancing Serum?
Nosca9 sits firmly in the pore treatment category, a class of formulas designed to improve skin texture by addressing the size and behavior of visible pores. Pore treatments typically rely on a mix of exfoliants, barrier support and oil balancing agents; Nosca9 follows that template with a lightweight, water based serum intended for twice daily use.
The key ingredient is retinal, a vitamin A derivative that helps speed up cell turnover and can nudge pores to appear tighter over time. It is supported by a ceramide-cholesterol-fatty acid trio that reinforces the skin barrier, an approach that offsets the potential dryness that often accompanies retinal. The brand also includes its proprietary Heparin RX Complex for soothing, plus apple extract for surface oil control, rounding out a formula aimed at both oily and sensitive skin alike. Fation claims the blend can dampen excess sebum within two weeks while leaving a non sticky finish, making it a straightforward option for anyone looking to refine texture without heavy occlusion or lingering shine.
Did it work?
In the name of science I benched my usual pore treatment for three full days before starting Nosca9, which felt both wildly irresponsible and very responsible at the same time. Fourteen days seemed like a fair trial window so I slotted the serum in morning and night right after cleansing and before moisturizer, tapping it in as instructed.
Days 1 to 3 were mostly about texture impressions. The watery slip sank in fast without the tack that some retinal serums leave behind. I braced for the classic first week sting or flakes but none showed up, presumably thanks to the ceramide cholesterol fatty acid blend doing quiet barrier rehab in the background.
By day 5 I noticed a modest drop in midday shine across my T zone. My nose still needed a blot sheet come 3 p.m. yet the situation was less glassy than usual. Pores around my inner cheeks looked a touch smoother under bathroom mirror scrutiny though selfie zoom told a less dramatic story.
The real checkpoint was the one week mark when many retinal products either bloom or backfire. Here, no purge, no redness, just incremental refinement. Sebum control kept improving so that by day 10 I could skip powder touch ups entirely on cooler days. The serum also played nicely with SPF and makeup, never pilling even when I layered a thicker moisturizer at night.
Heading into day 14 the promised “all round pore care” had partially materialized. The stubborn ice pick pores next to my nose remained unchanged but the more superficial ones looked softer and my skin tone appeared calmer, likely a nod to the Heparin RX Complex. I still would not call the change transformative. If my usual retinol serum is a power peel, Nosca9 is more a polite nudge.
So did it work? Yes, in the sense that oil production dialed down, texture smoothed a notch and there was zero irritation. It did not, however, outperform my current staple enough to earn a permanent swap. I would reach for it on travel or after an aggressive exfoliation when I want something gentler, and I would happily recommend it to beginners looking for a balanced entry into retinal territory.
Nosca9 pore enhancing serum’s main ingredients explained
Retinal takes center stage here and it is the reason the serum can legitimately promise tighter looking pores in a matter of weeks. This vitamin A cousin converts to retinoic acid once inside the skin, pushing cell turnover and nudging collagen production without the stinging reputation of prescription retinoids. Still, because any form of vitamin A can be linked to birth-defect risk, expectant or nursing users should avoid it unless a physician gives the green light.
The barrier bolstering trio of ceramide NP, cholesterol and fatty acids mirrors the skin’s own lipid mix, cushioning any potential dryness from the retinal. Cholesterol often comes from animal sources, so along with the Sodium Heparin in the proprietary Heparin RX Complex the formula is not strictly vegan or vegetarian friendly.
Niacinamide shows up high on the list offering its usual multitasking benefits: calming redness, regulating sebum and supporting the barrier. Panthenol, beta glucan and allantoin add extra soothing power which likely explains the complete lack of irritation during my test period.
Apple fruit extract and caffeine handle oil control from different angles. Apple delivers gentle polyphenols that mop up surface sebum while caffeine can temporarily tighten blood vessels giving pores a slightly more refined look.
Hydration comes from a cocktail of glycerin, propanediol and a sugar based humectant blend (xylitol, xylitylglucoside and friends) that pull in water without the sticky afterfeel some hyaluronic serums leave behind. Speaking of hyaluronic acid, a low dose of sodium hyaluronate is tucked in for extra slip.
A quick word on clog potential: olive fruit oil and cetyl palmitate both sit in the formula at low percentages and rate around 2 to 4 on the comedogenic scale. That means they have a moderate chance of blocking pores for users who are extremely prone to breakouts while being a nonissue for most others. Comedogenic simply means an ingredient is more likely to trap dead cells and sebum, leading to blemishes.
The preservative system relies on 1,2-hexanediol, ethylhexylglycerin and caprylyl glycol, all of which are considered gentle and broad spectrum. I also appreciate the absence of added fragrance which keeps the risk of sensitization low.
Overall the ingredients read like a well balanced syllabus: one gold standard active, a cushion of barrier lipids, modern humectants and a soothing complex that lets sensitive skin take part in the retinal fun. Just remember the animal derived components if lifestyle choices are a concern and always check with a healthcare provider before using vitamin A topicals during pregnancy.
What I liked/didn’t like
After two weeks of morning-and-night use, here is the straight-up balance sheet.
What works well:
- Watery texture sinks in fast and leaves no tack so it layers cleanly under sunscreen and makeup
- Noticeable drop in midday shine plus subtle tightening of shallow pores without any stinging or flaking
- Barrier-support lipids and soothing complex keep irritation at bay making it a comfortable entry point for retinal newcomers
What to consider:
- Results on deeper, ice pick pores are modest so seasoned retinoid users may find it too gentle
- Contains cholesterol and sodium heparin which may not suit strict vegan routines
- A couple of mid-range comedogenic lipids could be a hurdle for skin that clogs at the first hint of oil
My final thoughts
After two weeks of twice daily use I can say Nosca9 Pore Enhancing Serum earns its 8/10. It is a calm and competent pore treatment that reins in oil, smooths superficial texture and refuses to irritate even when layered with actives. I would recommend it to beginners, sensitive skin or anyone who wants a steady retinal step without the peeling drama. If your pores are shallow and your main complaint is midday shine it will likely satisfy. Veterans of high strength retinoids or those hoping to erase deep ice pick scars may find the ride too gentle and will probably crave something punchier.
Would I repurchase? I might, but more as a recovery night option than a forever staple. Would I tell a friend to try it? Yes, provided that friend understands it is a marathon serum rather than a sprint peel.
For readers shopping around, a few alternatives I have road tested deserve mention. Deascal Poreless Perfection Serum is an excellent allrounder that visibly tightens pores, hydrates and plays nicely with every skin type at a friendlier price point. Paula’s Choice Pore-Reducing Toner offers a lightweight niacinamide and BHA combo that keeps oil at bay without any learning curve. StriVectin Super Shrink Pore Minimizing Serum leans more clinical delivering noticeable refinement in under a week for those willing to pay extra. Finally Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow PHA+BHA Pore-tight Toner is a fruity exfoliating option that bridges hydration and gentle resurfacing for glow seekers.
Before you slather anything new please patch test behind your ear or along the jawline for a couple of nights – sorry for sounding like an over protective parent but reactions are never fun. Remember that pore size is largely genetic and any improvement you do see will fade if you stop using the product so commit to consistent use and realistic expectations and your skin should thank you.