Introduction
Vividraw may not yet enjoy household status but skin care aficionados have been whispering about the brand ever since Dr.G’s lab started pairing meticulous dermatological research with a planet friendly ethos. In short it is a label that prides itself on formulas that feel thoughtful rather than gimmicky and more often than not it delivers.
Enter the Apple Vinegar Pore Tightening Serum, a name that reads like a farmers market shopping list and sounds almost drinkable. Behind the punchy title sits a promise of leaner looking pores, gentler exfoliation and far less shine thanks to a cocktail of apple cider vinegar, green apple extract and a tannin load Vividraw claims is ten times the usual dose.
The brand touts four way tightening statistics so precise you would think they were measured with a microscope: pore volume down by roughly a third, depth shaved by over 13 percent and visible improvement apparently possible in a single second. Add a bouncy gel texture, vegan credentials and a string of soothing botanicals and you have a serum aiming to be both workhorse and crowd pleaser.
I spent two full weeks putting those claims to the test, morning and night, to see whether this fruit forward formula can genuinely earn a place in a real life routine and justify the dent it makes in a wallet.
What is Apple Vinegar Pore Tightening Serum?
This serum sits in the pore treatment category, a branch of skincare that targets congestion, excess oil and visible pore size through mild exfoliation and sebum control. Vividraw pairs apple cider vinegar with green apple extract to supply acids, tannins and antioxidants that work on the surface of the skin while keeping irritation minimal. The formula also includes PHA, a gentler relative of the better known AHA group, and adenosine, which is often used for its reported firming benefits.
The brand’s lab data centres on a “four way” tightening effect: reduced pore volume, count, surface area and depth. In-house tests claim measurable improvements as quickly as the first second of wear, then continue to build over regular use. Sebum removal is addressed by the vinegar component, while the bouncy gel texture is designed to support a firmer feel once it dries down.
It is vegan certified, free of animal testing and, according to Vividraw, formulated with a sustainability mindset. The ingredient list blends humectants such as glycerin and butylene glycol with a mix of plant oils and extracts, aiming to balance exfoliation with light hydration so that even combination or mildly sensitive skin can tolerate daily application.
Did it work?
In an act of what I like to call ground-breaking dermatological research, I benched my usual pore treatment for three full days before starting the Apple Vinegar Pore Tightening Serum. Fourteen days felt like a fair window to watch my skin settle, react then (hopefully) improve.
I used two pumps morning and night after toner, pressing it over my T-zone then sweeping the remainder across cheeks and chin. The gel spread easily and left a light tack that disappeared within a minute. On the first application I clocked a faint vinegar twang and a tiny tingle around my nostrils, nothing worrisome. Within that much-hyped first second the surface did seem to tighten slightly, almost as if a clear film had pulled everything a touch flatter. The effect faded by midday but my forehead stayed a bit more matte than usual which was a pleasant surprise.
By day four my midday blotting sheet had fewer oily souvenirs and the pores beside my nose looked a shade less crater-like when I caught them in harsh office lighting. Not miracles, though enough to keep me curious. The gentle exfoliation started to show around day seven: texture along my jaw felt smoother when I ran fingers over it and makeup settled with fewer hitchhikes on dry flakes.
Day ten delivered the flip side. A faint rough patch bloomed on my chin, likely from the vinegar-PHA combo working overtime, so I dialled usage back to evenings only and layered an extra moisturiser. The dryness eased but any progress on blackheads plateaued. Pore depth stats promised by the brand never quite translated for me; side-by-side selfies looked almost identical unless I zoomed in so far my phone threatened pixel mutiny.
By the end of week two my complexion was undeniably smoother and less shiny yet the changes sat in the modest camp rather than the transformational one. The serum behaved kindly under sunscreen, never pilled and did not invite breakouts which earns it points. Still, it did not outperform the trusty BHA toner I had sidelined for science so I will not be recruiting it for full-time duty. I can still see it earning a spot on hot summer days when I want a quick matte finish and a crisp green-apple wake-up call.
Main ingredients explained
The headline pairing is apple cider vinegar at 0.1 percent and green apple extract at 1 percent, both rich in natural acids and tannins that dissolve surface oil and give that immediate tightened feel. Together they act as a very mild chemical exfoliant so skin gets the polish of an AHA without the sting. Sitting beside them is gluconolactone, a poly-hydroxy acid better known as PHA, which has a larger molecular size so it exfoliates slowly and keeps irritation low. This trio is basically the engine room of the serum and the reason midday shine backs off after a few uses.
Hydration is handled by a familiar humectant gang of glycerin, butylene glycol and pentylene glycol that pull water into the skin so the acids can do their job without over-drying. Adenosine shows up for its wrinkle-smoothing reputation by encouraging a little extra collagen activity while xylitol and erythritol add a touch of barrier support. None of these ingredients are occlusive so the finish stays light rather than greasy.
The formula also carries a cluster of plant oils: macadamia, olive, jojoba, grape seed and a hint of cocoa extract. They cushion the exfoliants and give the gel its bouncy slip but a few of them sit mid-range on the comedogenic scale, meaning they could clog pores in skin that is extremely prone to breakouts. If that sounds like you patch test first or keep application to the T-zone only. For clarity, comedogenic simply means an ingredient has the potential to block pores and trigger bumps or blackheads.
No animal-derived materials show up on the INCI list so the serum is fully vegan and vegetarian friendly. On the pregnancy front the acids are gentle yet still classified as exfoliants so the safest approach is to check in with a doctor before using. There is also a light vinegar scent that fades quickly but could mingle oddly with strongly fragranced creams layered on top so keep that in mind if you run a multi-step routine.
What I liked/didn’t like
After two weeks of twice-daily use here is the straightforward rundown.
What works well:
- Noticeable instant tightening and a soft matte finish that holds up through most of the workday
- Gentle PHA and low-dose vinegar give consistent exfoliation without the sting of stronger acids so makeup glides on more evenly
- Light gel texture sinks in fast, layers cleanly with sunscreen or night cream and keeps the routine vegan friendly
What to consider:
- Pore size reduction sits in the subtle camp so those seeking dramatic change may feel underwhelmed
- Acid plus tannin combo can nudge dryness or flakiness on sensitive spots if used twice daily
- Blend of plant oils and the price point mean very oily or budget-minded users might look elsewhere
My final thoughts
Finding a pore treatment that actually walks the talk is tougher than it should be, so I approached Vividraw’s Apple Vinegar Pore Tightening Serum with equal parts curiosity and caution. After two weeks I landed at a steady 7/10: solid but not life changing. The formula does smooth texture and curb midday shine, yet the pore size shift sits firmly in the “you know it if you squint” camp. If you like a gentle, vegan acid step that layers well with other products and leaves skin comfortably matte, this is worth a spin. If you crave a dramatic blackhead purge or struggle with persistent congestion, you may find yourself craving something punchier.
For context, I have cycled through more pore minimisers than I care to admit, so the serum had stiff competition. It held its own on comfort and instant tightness but did not outrank my staple BHA in the clarity stakes. I would recommend it to friends with combination skin who dislike strong acids and appreciate a quick-drying gel. I would steer my extremely oily or very sensitive crew toward alternatives.
Speaking of alternatives, a few standouts have earned repeat appearances on my shelf. Deascal’s Poreless Perfection Serum is an excellent allrounder that manages genuine pore blurring across all skin types at a wallet friendly price. StriVectin’s Super Shrink Pore Minimizing Serum impressed me with a more pronounced reduction in blackheads over three weeks, while Caudalie’s Vinopure Natural Salicylic Acid Pore Minimising Serum delivers a dependable salicylic acid kick without stripping. On days when I want an easy two-in-one, Fenty Skin’s Fat Water Pore-Refining Toner Serum slots in neatly and keeps shine in check; all four have been through my rotation and lived to tell the tale.
Before you dive in, remember a couple of basics: patch test any new formula (sorry for sounding like an over-protective parent), dial usage up slowly and keep expectations realistic. Pores can look smaller but they do not vanish, and any gains you make will only stick around with consistent use.