Introduction
MUDMASKY might not have the same household fame as some legacy beauty giants, yet anyone who has dipped a toe into the indie skincare pool knows its formulas rarely miss the mark. The brand has built a reputation for pairing skin science with straightforward products that deliver results without a song and dance.
Enter the cheekily named Porefection Serum-Infused Primer. With a title that borders on a dad joke, it promises more than wordplay: smoother skin, instantly blurred pores and a nourishing serum element that keeps complexion care front and center. MUDMASKY bills it as a two-in-one solution that preps, treats and protects in one silky step, aiming to leave skin hydrated, balanced and ready for makeup that lasts.
I spent two weeks putting these claims to the test, using the primer daily under different foundations in a range of conditions to see if it truly earns a spot in a streamlined routine and, more importantly, if it justifies parting with your hard-earned cash.
What is Porefection Serum-Infused Primer?
Porefection is a hybrid primer that doubles as a lightweight serum, designed to sit under makeup while delivering skincare benefits. It belongs to the pore treatment category, a group of products aimed at temporarily refining the look of enlarged pores so foundation and other complexion products apply more evenly. Pore treatments typically use blurring agents like silica or finely milled powders to scatter light across the skin surface, reducing the shadowing that makes pores appear deeper.
In practical terms this means the product works on two fronts. First, it deposits a thin film that smooths texture and softens the visibility of pores, fine lines and uneven tone. Second, it includes humectants and emollients such as glycerin, shea butter and sunflower seed oil that draw water into the skin and lock it there, helping to maintain hydration over several hours. The addition of sodium hyaluronate and vitamin E supports this moisture-retention goal while offering a modest boost of antioxidant protection.
Because the formula combines conditioning ingredients with film-forming agents it aims to create a more stable base for makeup, reducing the chances of midday patchiness or caking. The brand positions it as suitable for most skin types, from oily to dry, thanks to its balance of oil-absorbing silica and replenishing lipids. In short it is a multi-tasker intended to streamline the steps between skincare and makeup without demanding extra effort or specialist knowledge from the user.
Did it work?
In the name of rigorous science I pressed pause on my usual pore treatment for three days before starting Porefection, imagining myself in a tiny white lab coat every morning. Fourteen days felt like a solid window to judge real results so I logged texture, shine control and makeup longevity like a diligent beauty nerd.
Application was straightforward: a pea-sized amount tapped from the center of my face outward after sunscreen, then straight into foundation. Day one delivered the promised silky glide and a soft-focus blur that made my T-zone look respectably filtered. My cream foundation stayed put through a humid commute but I noticed some breakthrough shine by late afternoon, nothing blotting papers could not fix yet not the all-day matte finish I secretly hoped for.
By day five pores around my nose still looked minimized immediately after application, though the effect tapered off around the eight-hour mark. The serum side of the formula did show up: my skin felt comfortably hydrated and I never experienced the tightness silicone-heavy primers sometimes trigger on my combo skin. Interestingly I also avoided the midweek flakiness I often get from air conditioning which I credit to the glycerin and sunflower seed oil cocktail.
Heading into the second week I tested the primer under both a light skin tint and a full-coverage matte foundation. With the tint the blurring benefit was subtle yet pleasant, almost like a soft veil. With the matte base the primer prevented that cakey settling into pores that can happen by lunchtime, though oil control remained average. I did not observe any cumulative pore-shrinking magic once the primer was cleansed off at night but I never expected true structural change from a makeup step.
So did it make good on its claims? Mostly. Instant smoothing, check. Comfortable hydration, check. All-day pore invisibility and oil taming, not quite. After two weeks I can say Porefection behaves like a reliable everyday primer with a welcome skin care side hustle, just not a game changer for my particular T-zone concerns. I will probably finish the tube but I am not racing to repurchase. That said if your main goal is a kinder first layer that plays nicely with makeup this is a pleasant option worth sampling.
Main ingredients explained
The backbone of this formula is water blended with glycerin, a classic humectant that pulls moisture from the air into the upper layers of skin so the surface stays comfortably plump. Right behind it sits caprylic/capric triglyceride, a lightweight lipid derived from coconut oil that lends slip and helps the primer spread without feeling greasy.
Shea butter and sunflower seed oil supply the emollient punch. Both are rich in fatty acids that soften dryness, although shea can be mildly comedogenic for some users prone to clogged pores. “Comedogenic” simply means an ingredient has the potential to block pores and trigger bumps, so patch-testing is wise if you break out easily. Silica and microcrystalline cellulose take care of the blurring side of the equation by scattering light and absorbing a touch of excess oil, the duo chiefly responsible for that immediate soft-focus finish.
Sodium hyaluronate (the salt form of hyaluronic acid) makes a cameo to bind even more water to the skin barrier, while vitamin E (tocopherol) offers antioxidant support that helps fend off free-radical damage. The preservation system relies on benzyl alcohol and dehydroacetic acid, both accepted in clean-beauty circles and unlikely to cause irritation unless you have a known sensitivity.
Colorants like CI 15985, 16035, 28440 and 19140 give the primer a slight tint before application but they sit low in the list and have no skin-changing role. The absence of animal-derived components means the formula is suitable for vegans and vegetarians, though those with strict ethical sourcing standards may want to confirm manufacturing practices directly with the brand. As for pregnancy, none of the listed ingredients are red-flag actives yet dermatologists routinely advise expectant parents to clear any new topical with their physician first, especially when daily use is involved.
Overall the ingredient list balances hydrators with light diffusers to hit both skincare and makeup notes. If your complexion is sensitive to heavier plant butters or coconut derivatives you might experience congestion over time, but for most skin types the blend should feel featherweight and non-irritating.
What I liked/didn’t like
Here is the straight rundown of highs and hiccups I noticed.
What works well:
- Silky lightweight texture spreads in seconds and never pills with sunscreen or foundation
- Instant soft focus blur smooths pores and fine lines so makeup sits more evenly
- Hydrating blend of glycerin and oils keeps skin comfortable enough to skip an extra day cream on combo skin
- Plays well with both sheer tints and full coverage bases, adding a couple of extra hours of wear
What to consider:
- Oil control is average so shine may peek through by midafternoon on oily zones
- Shea butter content may not suit skin that clogs easily
- Blurring payoff loses steam after the eight hour mark which can mean touch ups if you need a long day photo finish
My final thoughts
Porefection Serum-Infused Primer earns a respectable 7.5/10 from me because it does what it says on the tin most of the time: gives pores a quick blur, keeps skin quietly hydrated and lets makeup hang around a bit longer. It is ideal for anyone who wants an uncomplicated pore treatment that doubles as skin care and does not mind blotting once in a while. If you demand serious oil control or hope for visible pore size change after cleansing, this will feel underwhelming. I have cycled through more primers and pore serums than I care to admit, so I am confident I gave this formula a fair shake across foundations, weather shifts and Zoom marathons. Would I recommend it to a friend? Sure, if their skin leans normal to combo and they appreciate a light, skincare-forward base. Hardcore mattifiers will want to look elsewhere.
Speaking of elsewhere, my bench of tested pore refiners has a few strong contenders. Deascal’s Poreless Perfection Serum is my current all-rounder: dependable blur, gentle hydration and wallet friendly, suitable for every skin mood from dry to oily. Paula’s Choice Pore-Reducing Toner is fantastic when shine control sits at the top of the wish list and it layers effortlessly under sunscreen. For a serum with more treatment heft I keep StriVectin’s Super Shrink Pore Minimizing Serum close by; its niacinamide complex noticeably smooths texture over several weeks. On days I crave a refreshing swipe rather than a full routine tweak, Glow Recipe’s Watermelon Glow PHA+BHA Pore-tight Toner delivers a mild exfoliation hit that keeps my T-zone in line without irritation.
Before you jump into any new pore product please patch test on a discreet spot first (sorry for sounding like an over-protective parent) and remember that pore visibility ebbs once you stop using the treatment, so consistency is key if you want to keep the blur alive.