Introduction
IT Cosmetics might already sit on plenty of vanities yet it still manages to surprise newcomers with formulas that feel more like skincare shortcuts than routine steps. Known for pairing dermatologist insight with a dash of feel-good marketing, the brand has carved itself a tidy niche between clinical credibility and beauty counter charm.
Their latest promise comes packaged in a name that is as unambiguous as it is cheeky: Bye Bye Pores. According to the brand, this concentrated derm serum relies on 10% glycolic acid and a hit of hyaluronic acid to whisk away dull surface cells, hydrate and reveal pores that look markedly smaller in as little as one week. Lofty claims, sure, but ones that sound plausible enough to tempt anyone who has ever zoomed in on a selfie and winced.
I dedicated a full two weeks to daily use, determined to see if this little bottle could live up to its confident moniker and if it deserves a spot in a regimen that has to earn every inch of cabinet space.
What is Bye Bye Pores?
Bye Bye Pores is a leave-on chemical exfoliant classified as a pore treatment, a category of products designed to refine skin texture and reduce the appearance of enlarged pores by loosening the dead cells and debris that can make them look more pronounced. This serum relies on a 10 percent concentration of glycolic acid, one of the smaller alpha hydroxy acids, which helps dissolve the bonds that keep dull surface cells clinging to the skin. By clearing that buildup, newer cells can reflect light more evenly, so pores look less shadowed and therefore smaller.
Alongside the exfoliation side of the formula, the brand has added glycerin, aloe and sodium hyaluronate to replenish water lost during the acid step and to leave skin feeling more comfortable than it might after a purely resurfacing treatment. The pH is buffered with sodium hydroxide and citric acid so the glycolic acid remains active yet tolerable, and the preservative system relies on potassium sorbate and sodium benzoate. The serum is marketed for all skin types, including sensitive, though it is still an active acid and should be treated as such in a routine.
In practical terms, you apply four to five drops once a day after cleansing, then follow with your usual moisturizer and sunscreen. Used consistently, a pore treatment like this aims to keep the follicle openings clearer, smoother and less visible in strong light or close-up photos.
Did it work?
In the name of extremely sophisticated science, I shelved my usual pore treatment for three full days so Bye Bye Pores could take center stage without any interference. Fourteen days felt like a fair trial window, long enough for glycolic acid to do its thing yet short enough to remember exactly how my skin looked at the start.
I used four drops each evening after cleansing, pressing the serum over my T-zone and lightly sweeping the excess across my cheeks. Night one delivered the expected glycolic tingle that subsided within a minute. By morning my skin looked a touch brighter but the real test was whether that effect would stick around or fizzle out with the first cup of coffee.
Days three through seven were the sweet spot. Texture along the sides of my nose felt smoother and foundation glided over with less settling into those tiny orange-peel pockets. Friends did not gasp at my newly porcelain canvas, yet selfies needed noticeably less blurring. I did catch a hint of tightness around my chin by day six, so I dropped usage to every other night and layered a richer moisturizer on top. That tweak kept any flaking at bay without dulling the surface glow.
The second week brought smaller, steadier changes rather than dramatic leaps. Pores on my cheeks looked a bit less shadowed under bathroom lighting and rough patches near my brows were gone. Still, the transformation leveled off; what I saw on day ten was largely what I saw on day fourteen. My skin never revolted, which is impressive for a formula that leans on a respectable 10 percent glycolic acid, but it also never crossed the line into “wow, where have you been all my life” territory.
So did it keep its promise? To a point. Bye Bye Pores did refine texture and give my complexion a fresher, more even look, just not to the extent the name might suggest. I will finish the bottle for occasional maintenance nights yet I am not rushing to retire my longtime exfoliating favorites. If you are new to acids or crave a straightforward, skin-softening step this is a pleasant option that behaves itself.
Bye Bye Pores’s main ingredients explained
The real workhorse here is glycolic acid at 10 percent. As the smallest alpha hydroxy acid, it can wiggle between skin cells and weaken the little bonds that keep dull flakes hanging on, which is what gives the serum its pore smoothing abilities. At this strength most users will see a visible uptick in brightness within a week, yet it is still mild enough for many sensitive skins provided you buffer it with a good moisturizer and decent sun protection during the day.
To offset potential sting or dehydration the formula leans on humectants. Glycerin shows up high on the list, drawing water from the environment and deeper skin layers to the surface so you do not end up trading glow for flakes. Sodium hyaluronate, the salt form of hyaluronic acid, does the same trick but with a smaller molecular size so it can sit closer to the epidermal barrier and hold water like a microscopic sponge.
Aloe barbadensis leaf juice adds a light soothing element that can help calm the mild irritation you sometimes get from acids. It is not a full replacement for a calming cream but it does take the edge off the post application tingle.
Alcohol denat. might raise an eyebrow because it can be drying in large amounts, yet here it mainly acts as a penetration enhancer, helping glycolic acid slip into those surface layers more efficiently. If you already use an occlusive or richer night cream you likely will not notice any extra dryness.
Sodium hydroxide and citric acid form a buffering duo that keeps the pH low enough for glycolic acid to stay active while still steering clear of the extreme acidity that could cause outright burns. Potassium sorbate and sodium benzoate round things out by stopping microbes from turning your serum into a petri dish.
Ascorbyl glucoside is a stable vitamin C derivative that, when enzymatically converted, can lend a tiny extra boost of antioxidant support. It is not at blockbuster levels here but every bit of free radical defense helps when you are exfoliating.
The ingredient lineup is free of animal derived components, so vegans and vegetarians can use it without hesitating. None of the listed ingredients are flagged as highly comedogenic, meaning they have a low likelihood of clogging pores and triggering breakouts, though everyone’s threshold is different so patch testing is wise.
Pregnancy is a special category. Glycolic acid is generally viewed as one of the safer exfoliants during pregnancy, especially under 10 percent, but the rule of thumb is to clear every topical with your healthcare provider first. The same caution applies if you are nursing or on any prescription skin treatments.
Those sensitive to fragrance will be relieved to find none listed, and the water based formula keeps texture light making it easy to layer under the rest of your routine. Overall the ingredient roster is short, purposeful and leans more clinical than cosmetic, which explains why my skin behaved throughout the two week test run.
What I liked/didn’t like
Here is the quick tally of highs and lows after two weeks of testing.
What works well:
- Glycolic acid concentration delivers a noticeable smoothing effect within the first week
- Humectant blend keeps tightness minimal so most skin types can tolerate nightly use with a basic moisturizer
- Fragrance free and vegan formula suits those avoiding added scent or animal ingredients
What to consider:
- Brightness and pore blurring level off after the initial boost so long-term wow factor may feel modest
- Contains denatured alcohol which some users find drying if not paired with a richer cream
- Price sits on the higher side for a single-acid serum given the market’s many budget options
My final thoughts
Bye Bye Pores did what it said on the tin up to a solid 70 percent, which earns it a 7/10 from me. The serum clarified texture, toned down shine and delivered a week-one brightness pop that should satisfy anyone whose main concern is a slightly rough T-zone rather than deeply entrenched congestion. If you already rotate stronger acids or use a multitasking retinoid it might feel a little tame, but beginners or sensitive-leaning skin types will appreciate the straightforward glycolic approach and the gentle hydration backup.
I have put plenty of pore smoothers through their paces over the years so I feel comfortable saying this formula sits in the middle of the pack: more effective than a splashy toner, less transformative than a prescription-strength exfoliant. I would point a friend toward it if they were acid-curious yet wary of irritation, though I would add a friendly caveat that the pore minimising magic plateaus after the initial boost and maintenance nights will still be necessary.
For those who want options I have also had good luck with a handful of alternatives. Poreless Perfection Serum by Deascal is an excellent allrounder, balancing a gentler AHA blend with niacinamide so it tackles texture and tone at a friendlier price. Paula’s Choice Pore-Reducing Toner impresses when you prefer a quick swipe situation over a leave-on serum and it layers well under heavier actives. StriVectin’s Super Shrink Pore Minimizing Serum feels like Bye Bye Pores’ more assertive cousin thanks to added peptides that subtly firm. Lastly, Glow Recipe’s Watermelon Glow PHA+BHA Pore-tight Toner offers a fruit acid cocktail that keeps pores clear while lending a soft radiance, perfect for those who crave a sensorial moment without sacrificing results.
Whichever route you choose remember that pore size is largely genetic and every topical buys you refinement, not a permanent Photoshop filter. Consistency plus a diligent sunscreen habit will keep the gains you make and help fend off the dulling buildup that makes pores look larger in the first place.
And because I cannot stop myself from sounding like an over-protective parent, patch test on a discreet spot for a couple of nights before going full face, especially if your skin is reactive or you are layering multiple actives. A little caution up front saves a lot of soothing cream later.