Review: Skinfood Peach Sake Pore Serum

Probably one of the most, if not THE most, reviewed Skinfood skincare product out there. I think this product was the first Skinfood product I tried 3-4 years ago. I actually bought the whole bottle back then because I didn't think of buying samples. I debated whether I should even bother writing a review since there are probably 3459393450 other posts you can check out. Most of them were raving reviews (which largely influenced me to buy this product back then) but my actual experience with this was slightly contrary so that's why I thought I'd write a review myself. Which will also partly explain why I am buying samples instead of a whole bottle as my second purchase of this product.

Description (taken from eng.theskinfood.com):

• Containing rice sake, peach extract rich in vitamins A and C, and silica powder, this soft essence minimizes shine and the appearance of pores
• After lotion, apply gently and cover face with hands, for deep absorption

My impression:

I've read that nothing can actually decrease the size of your pores. They can only clear the impurities/oil out of the pores, thus minimizing the appearance of the pores. Fair enough.

This product does not minimize the appearance of my pores when they're normal. That is, when my pore size is my normal size (with oil/impurities accumulated from one normal day), it doesn't do much even with prolonged use (3-4 weeks). But when my pores are enlarged because I've been exfoliating too much or scrubbing too hard, or when my pores are clogged and I have little red bumps in that area, I find that this serum will help return it to its normal size or prevent it from becoming a full-fledged pimple, respectively.

Since I wasn't completely satisfied,  I decided to try other pore serums. I tried the Fresh Apple Sparkling Pore Serum. It didn't do anything for my pores either. In addition, it left my face with a dull matte cast and when I try to layer anything over it, it will start rubbing off like eraser bits. At least I can put cream over the peach sake pore serum and it doesn't leave a cast on my face!

I've tried some other products before like the Shiseido pureness pore minimizing cooling essence. It gave me a nice cooling effect once I put it on.. but that was about it. I've tried Clinique pore minimizer refining serum, which worked fairly well, but then they decided to discontinue the product and replace it with the more expensive Clinique pore refining solutions correcting serum (which I haven't tried).

So this serum is far from my HG pore serum, but so far it's the best when you take its effectiveness in consideration with the price tag. That's why I've only purchased the samples. Since it's only effective when my pores are larger than normal, which isn't everyday, I use it only when I need to so I don't need the whole bottle.

If anybody else has had some good experience with other pore serums, please share!

On a side note, I've found that pore primers are pretty effective in minimizing oil production during the day and thus minimizing the appearance of pores. I've used Etude House Goodbye Pore Ever Pore Primer Essence and Skinfood Fresh Apple Smooth Pore Cream, both primers. I put them on as the last step after putting my day cream, Missha Super Aqua Cell Renew Snail Cream. I find that this method is more useful in preventing pimples from forming than putting pore serums like the Peach Sake Pore Serum under my day cream.

Summary:

Doesn't minimize the appearance of my pores
Helps return my pores to normal size when they have been enlarged irregularly
Helps prevent my clogged pores from progressing into pimples
$12 for 45ml on eBay

Quality: 3/5 because it only helps when my pores are abnormally large

Value: 3.5/5 because it's relatively inexpensive for a serum

Repurchase? I'll be buying samples until I find something better!