Product photo

Most pore-targeting products go straight for the acids—salicylic, glycolic, or a retinoid to speed up cell turnover. SKIN1004 took a different path with their Poremizing Fresh Ampoule: instead of stripping your pores raw, they loaded it with 50.47% centella extract and a peptide complex that includes eight different peptides. The idea is to firm and tighten the skin around the pore rather than dissolve the gunk inside it. I spent two weeks testing this on combination skin with visible pores around my nose and cheeks to see if a soothing approach could outperform the usual exfoliation route.

The Brand: SKIN1004's Centella Ecosystem

SKIN1004 has built their entire identity around Centella Asiatica sourced from Madagascar. The brand claims the island's volcanic soil and tropical climate produce centella with higher concentrations of active triterpenoids—the compounds responsible for centella's anti-inflammatory and wound-healing properties. Whether that terroir story holds scientific weight is debatable, but what's clear is their commitment: they've developed an entire product line where centella isn't a marketing afterthought but the backbone of every formula.

The Poremizing Fresh Ampoule sits in their "Poremizing" sub-line, which targets enlarged pores and loss of firmness. It's positioned between their basic soothing products (the Ampoule and Toner) and their more intensive treatments. The "Fresh" in the name signals a lightweight, watery texture designed for layering without heaviness—a format that works well under sunscreen and makeup in humid conditions.

Ingredient Breakdown: What's Actually in This Ampoule

The INCI list is where this product earns its keep. Let me walk through the key components.

The Foundation: Centella Asiatica Extract (50.47%)

Just over half the formula is centella extract. That's a substantial concentration—not as aggressive as the 72% in their Soothing Cream, but more than enough to deliver measurable anti-inflammatory benefits. Centella's triterpenoids (asiaticoside, madecassoside, asiatic acid, madecassic acid) reduce inflammation, support wound healing, and stimulate collagen synthesis. For pore care, this matters because inflammation around the pore wall is one of the things that makes pores appear larger—swollen, stretched-out pores look bigger than calm, tight ones.

The Peptide Complex: Eight Peptides for Firmness

This is where the Poremizing Ampoule separates itself from a basic centella serum. The formula includes Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 (commonly known as Argireline), which works by inhibiting neurotransmitter release at the neuromuscular junction—essentially reducing micro-contractions that can stretch skin over time. Acetyl Octapeptide-3 is a similar mechanism, a shorter-chain version of the same approach. Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4 (Matrixyl) stimulates collagen I and III production. Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 and Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 work together as a combo (often sold as Matrixyl 3000) to boost collagen and hyaluronic acid synthesis. Copper Tripeptide-1 promotes wound healing and remodeling. Tripeptide-1, Tripeptide-2, and Tripeptide-3 round out the complex with additional signaling functions.

Eight peptides in one formula is unusual. Most products feature one or two. The question is whether they're present at effective concentrations or if this is a "fairy dusting" situation where each peptide is present at trace levels just to claim them on the label. Without concentration data, I can't confirm—but the overall firming effect I observed over two weeks suggests they're present at meaningful levels.

Triple Hyaluronic Acid

The formula stacks three forms of hyaluronic acid: Hyaluronic Acid (high molecular weight, sits on the surface), Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid (low molecular weight, penetrates deeper), and Sodium Hyaluronate (the salt form, most stable). This multi-weight approach hydrates at multiple skin depths simultaneously. Plump, well-hydrated skin makes pores appear smaller because the surrounding tissue is fuller and tighter.

Soothing & Supporting Cast

Panthenol (pro-vitamin B5) strengthens the skin barrier and provides additional hydration. Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate (from licorice root) calms inflammation. Biosaccharide Gum-1 forms a protective, film-forming layer that reduces transepidermal water loss and soothes irritation. Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract adds hydration and cooling. Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract (chamomile) provides anti-inflammatory bisabolol and apigenin. Mineral Salts likely refer to trace minerals from the centella source that support enzymatic functions in the skin.

Base & Texture Agents

Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, and Glycereth-26 are humectants that add slip and hydration. Carbomer and Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate are thickeners that give the ampoule its gel-like body without heaviness. Tromethamine adjusts pH. Hydroxyacetophenone and 1,2-Hexanediol serve as a gentle preservative system—no parabens, no phenoxyethanol. Disodium EDTA is a chelating agent that stabilizes the formula.

Texture & Application Experience

The ampoule has a clear, slightly viscous gel texture that breaks down into water on contact with skin. It's not sticky or tacky—more like a thin serum that spreads easily and absorbs within 30 seconds. The "Fresh" in the name is accurate: it feels cooling and lightweight, almost like applying a thin layer of water-gel. There's no fragrance, and the faint scent is slightly herbal from the centella and chamomile—nothing unpleasant, dissipates immediately.

Layering is effortless. I applied this after toner and before moisturizer, and it never pillled or created any texture issues with subsequent products. Under sunscreen, it disappeared completely—no residue, no greasiness. In humid weather, I could almost skip moisturizer after this and just follow with SPF, though I wouldn't recommend that for dry skin types.

Two-Week Wear Test

Conditions tested: Combination skin (oily T-zone, normal-to-dry cheeks) with visible pores around the nose, nasolabial folds, and outer cheeks. Tested during late summer—high humidity, temperatures around 85-95°F, daily sunscreen use, no other active treatments during the test period.

Days 1–3: Immediate impression was the texture—this felt like nothing on the skin, which is both a compliment and a concern. I wasn't sure something this lightweight could actually do anything. Hydration was solid though—no midday tightness, and my skin felt plump rather than flat. The cooling sensation was pleasant in the heat.

Days 4–7: I started noticing a subtle tightening effect around my nose and cheeks. Not a dramatic "pores disappeared" moment, but the pores looked less stretched—more like they'd contracted slightly. My skin also felt smoother to the touch, with a subtle firmness that wasn't there before. The centella was keeping inflammation in check—no breakouts, no redness, just calm skin.

Days 8–10: The firming effect became more consistent. In the morning, before any product, my skin looked tighter and more even-textured. Pores around the nose were visibly smaller—not gone, but reduced. I took comparison photos and the difference was subtle but real. The peptide complex seemed to be building cumulative effect, which tracks with how peptides work (they signal collagen production, which takes weeks to manifest).

Days 11–14: By the end of the test, the improvement was noticeable without being dramatic. My skin looked more refined—pores were tighter, texture was smoother, and there was a subtle firmness that made my face look slightly more lifted. No irritation, no breakouts, no sensitivity. The formula was gentle enough for daily use and effective enough to justify continued use.

Pros

Cons

Who Is This For?

This ampoule is ideal for:

Not ideal for:

Price & Where to Buy

SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Poremizing Fresh Ampoule (100ml) typically retails for $22–28 USD. Available at:

Avoid unauthorized sellers on eBay or deeply discounted listings—counterfeit SKIN1004 products are common.

Comparison Notes

Against COSRX The Niacinamide 15 Serum: COSRX targets pores through oil regulation and brightening with 15% niacinamide. SKIN1004 targets pores through firming and tightening with peptides. If your pores are enlarged from excess sebum, COSRX wins. If they're enlarged from lost elasticity, SKIN1004 is the better choice. They can also be used together—niacinamide in the morning, peptides at night.

Against Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Essence Serum: Beauty of Joseon uses ginseng and niacinamide for anti-aging and brightening. SKIN1004 has more centella for soothing and a broader peptide complex for firming. If your priority is brightening, Beauty of Joseon wins. If your priority is pore tightening and calming, SKIN1004 is superior.

Against The Ordinary "Buffet" + Copper Peptides 1%: The Ordinary has a similar peptide-forward approach but includes copper peptides at a disclosed 1% concentration. SKIN1004 has more peptides overall but undisclosed concentrations. The Ordinary is cheaper and more transparent about concentrations. SKIN1004 has the centella base for soothing and a more elegant texture. If you want transparency and value, The Ordinary wins. If you want a soothing, lightweight formula with centella benefits, SKIN1004 is the choice.

Final Verdict

SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Poremizing Fresh Ampoule takes an unconventional approach to pore care—firm and tighten rather than exfoliate and dissolve. The combination of 50.47% centella extract with eight peptides creates a formula that calms inflammation while stimulating collagen production and skin firmness. The result is subtly but visibly tighter-looking pores over consistent use.

This isn't a miracle product that will erase your pores overnight. Peptides work gradually, and the results I saw over two weeks were noticeable but not dramatic. However, the approach is sound: reducing inflammation around the pore wall and firming the surrounding skin genuinely makes pores appear smaller. The ultra-lightweight texture makes it easy to use daily, and the gentle formula is suitable for sensitive skin that can't tolerate traditional pore treatments.

The main limitation is transparency—we don't know the concentrations of individual peptides, so it's impossible to verify whether each is present at effective levels. The overall performance suggests they are, but without disclosure, there's some uncertainty. The price is reasonable for the ingredient quality, and the 100ml size lasts 2-3 months with daily use.

If you're dealing with enlarged pores from lost firmness, sensitive skin that can't handle acids, or you simply want a lightweight, soothing ampoule that doubles as an anti-aging treatment, this is worth trying. It earned a solid 4/5 for consistent performance, gentle formulation, and a thoughtful ingredient stack that delivers on its promises—just not dramatically.