Introduction
Eqqualberry might not have the instant name recognition of the legacy giants, yet it has been quietly winning over skincare devotees with formulations that read like a lab nerd’s love letter to botanicals and peptides. The brand positions itself as results driven but still playful, and that spirit shows up in the marathon-length moniker Collagen Pore-Tight Up Gel Toner Pads. Yes, it is a mouthful, but the promise behind it is succinct: a hydrogel pad drenched in 410,000 ppm of collagen water and feather-light 200DA collagen to plump, firm and lock down moisture while lotus PDRN, white truffle and a bouquet of extracts pledge to shrink the look of pores and calm temperamental skin.
According to Eqqualberry the pads deliver a three-step pore detox, a cooling sensation on contact and a clingy fit that stays put during targeted mini masks. Ambitious claims, especially for something you can swipe on or leave lounging for ten minutes. To see if the reality could keep up with the brochure I used the pads twice daily and as spot masks over the course of two full weeks, taking notes on hydration levels, pore visibility and overall texture changes. Consider the following pages my verdict on whether these collagen soaked circles merit a spot in your routine and your budget.
What is Collagen Pore-Tight Up Gel Toner Pads?
This is a leave on pore treatment that comes in the form of pre soaked hydrogel pads. Each pad is saturated with a high concentration of collagen water measured at 410,000 ppm and a 200 dalton low molecular collagen that is small enough to sit closer to the skin surface for fast hydration and a light firming effect. The formula also includes lotus extract combined with PDRN and white truffle, an ingredient trio positioned to cleanse debris from pores, support elasticity and smooth uneven texture. Witch hazel, niacinamide and a cluster of botanical extracts round out the blend, aiming to calm visible redness while offering a mild astringent feel.
Pore treatments are products that focus on minimising the appearance of enlarged pores and improving skin texture. They usually rely on gentle exfoliants, soothing actives or hydrating agents to achieve a tighter looking finish. In this case the brand leans on a dual use method: the pads can be swept across the face like a toner for daily maintenance or placed on specific areas for ten minutes when a more intensive pore refining session is needed. The hydrogel format helps keep the liquid actives in close contact with the skin and delivers an instant hit of coolness that can feel especially relieving on sensitive or post workout complexions.
Did it work?
In the name of science I benched my regular pore serum for three days before starting these pads, which felt very official given the lab coat was purely imaginary. Fourteen days seemed like a fair window to judge results so I slotted the pads into both my morning and evening routines, swiping once over T zone and cheeks then pressing a second pad across my nose and chin for the advertised ten-minute mini mask.
Day one impressions were all about the chill factor. The hydrogel felt like a cold compress after a long run and left zero sting, something I appreciated since witch hazel sometimes makes me tingle. Once the essence dried my skin looked hydrated and a bit glassy but pores stayed their usual size. By day three that plumped sheen was lasting through lunchtime; however, I still needed my oil-control primer by 2 p.m.
Midway through the trial I noticed subtle texture refinement. Tiny bumps along my jaw felt flatter when I ran fingers over them and foundation sat more evenly. The ten-minute mask method seemed to make the biggest difference, especially the night after I wore sunscreen and sweat for hours. Still, any visible tightening was temporary; by the next morning my pores had largely returned to their baseline diameter.
Heading into the final stretch I hoped the collagen water and low molecular collagen would deliver firmer contours. While my cheeks did keep that springy hydrated feel, they did not look lifted and the pads never quite replaced the gentle exfoliant that normally stops congestion on my nose. On the plus side I experienced zero redness flare-ups, a small victory considering the ingredient list reads like a botanical buffet.
So did it work? Partially. Hydration and momentary smoothness, absolutely. Long-term pore shrinkage, not so much. I will finish the tub for its cooling comfort on hot days but I will not retire my usual pore treatment. Still, if your main goal is a quick dose of moisture plus a short-lived blurred finish these pads earn a respectable spot in the maybe-worth-trying category.
Main ingredients explained
The headline act is 410,000 ppm of collagen water paired with 200-dalton hydrolyzed collagen. The large dose of water-soluble collagen behaves like a sponge, hauling moisture to the skin surface, while the teeny 200-dalton fragments sit closer to the stratum corneum and give that quick plumped look. Because collagen is typically derived from marine or bovine sources this formula will not satisfy strict vegans or vegetarians.
Niacinamide shows up early in the INCI list and earns its keep by dialing down redness, reinforcing the lipid barrier and helping regulate sebum. Alongside it sits witch hazel water, a classic astringent that can temporarily tighten the look of pores yet keep its cool thanks to soothing allantoin and glyceryl glucoside. If your skin fears sting, the hydrogel’s instant cooling sensation plus these calming extras should help keep the peace.
The “three-step pore care” trio starts with lotus flower extract, celebrated for its antioxidant profile and mild oil-balancing talent. PDRN is next; listed as sodium DNA, it is a polymer harvested from salmon that is currently trending in K-beauty for alleged wound healing and elasticity support. White truffle extract brings more antioxidant heft and a dash of luxe marketing sparkle, even if studies on topical truffle are still thin.
Hydration rounds out the picture with glycerin, butylene glycol and sodium hyaluronate, all well loved humectants that pull in water and smooth fine lines. The supporting cast of sage, centella, lemon balm and eucalyptus extracts offers additional antioxidants and a herbal scent but can be a mixed bag for reactive skin types.
On the comedogenic front nothing in the formula rings alarm bells at moderate usage. It skips heavy oils and waxes that can clog pores so the risk of breakouts is low. (Comedogenic means an ingredient has a tendency to block pores and contribute to acne.)
As for pregnancy safety, the blend is mostly gentle actives but PDRN is still relatively new in topical form and the stack of botanicals is long. Out of caution anyone pregnant or nursing should run the ingredient list past a medical professional before committing.
Finally it is worth noting the product uses synthetic polymers like ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP copolymer to give the essence its bouncy gel texture. If you are trying to minimize microplastic derivatives in your routine that is something to weigh before purchase.
What I liked/didn’t like
Here is the quick breakdown after two weeks of use.
What works well:
- Instant cooling relief that feels especially good post workout or on hot days
- Noticeable hydration that keeps skin springy and comfortable until midday
- Hydrogel pads cling securely so the ten minute mask trick stays put without slipping
- Zero irritation even on reactive cheeks thanks to a soothing, alcohol free formula
- Subtle texture smoothing makes foundation sit more evenly
What to consider:
- Pore tightening is short lived and fades by the next morning
- May not replace a dedicated exfoliant if you are prone to blackheads or deeper congestion
- Price may feel steep for a product that mainly delivers hydration and brief blurring
My final thoughts
Finding a pore treatment that delivers visible refinement without upsetting the skin’s balance is a perpetual quest, and I have cycled through more formulas than I can politely list. Eqqualberry’s Collagen Pore-Tight Up Gel Toner Pads earn a solid 7/10 for giving fast hydration, fleeting smoothness and a genuinely calming feel. They suit normal, dehydrated or mildly oily skin that wants a quick pick-me-up rather than a heavy-duty exfoliant. If you rely on stronger acids or retinoids to keep congestion at bay these pads will feel like a sidekick, not the hero. I would recommend them to a friend who prioritises comfort and convenience over dramatic pore shrinkage, with the friendly caveat that expectations should match the temporary nature of the results.
Should you crave options, a few standouts from my own cabinet come to mind. Deascal’s Poreless Perfection Serum is the dependable all-rounder: light, fragrance free and surprisingly effective across skin types at a wallet-friendly price. Paula’s Choice Pore-Reducing Toner has been a steady backup for years and still earns points for its niacinamide-forward approach that keeps shine in check. For those who enjoy a slightly richer serum texture StriVectin’s Super Shrink Pore Minimizing Serum balances hydration with gentle clarifiers and has never pilled under sunscreen. Finally, Glow Recipe’s Watermelon Glow PHA+BHA Pore-tight Toner brings a mild acid duo that smooths without sting and smells like summer in a bottle. I have rotated through each of these and can confirm they all carry their weight when the goal is visibly refined skin.
Before you dive in, remember a few sensible precautions. Patch test on the jawline or behind the ear, forgive me for sounding like an over-protective parent, and give any new product at least a couple of weeks before deciding its fate. Results will only stick around with consistent use and even the best formula cannot rewrite genetics or erase the need for sunscreen. Happy experimenting and may your pores look as invisible as biology allows.