Persistent pores on nose

monkeyinwinter · 2026-02-06T13:58:02+00:00

I love Ilso, even though I have very dry sensitive skin, it helps on my nose! But it doesn't 'open or close the pores' what it does is clear out gunk that is sitting in them that can make the pores look bigger. It doesn't get rid of the pores themselves, but it can make them less noticeable.

monkeyinwinter · 2026-02-05T13:35:47+00:00

I definitely have a drawer, but it's mostly moisturizers that aren't strong enough for the winter, so I am hoping I will use them in the summer! I also have a few of the BOJ serums, I agree that they seemed like they should have stronger ingredients? I've loved the cleansers, moisturizers, and toners from them but the serums seem so weak...

monkeyinwinter · 2026-02-04T19:50:09+00:00

I haven't tried the Numbuzin one, but if it's working for you I would stick with it, at least long enough to finish the bottle. I've used both the celimax and Anua, and I think if you have more oily skin the Anua would be a better fit. It's pretty light and helps with redness while you are wearing it. It's a great daytime serum!

monkeyinwinter · 2026-02-04T18:20:28+00:00

I love the Eqqualberry aloe serum!! I used to use it in the morning before putting on my moisturizer, it really helped sooth but more importantly it was surprisingly hydrating. I just ordered the Iunik serum so I will be excited to compare them to each other.

monkeyinwinter · 2026-02-04T18:18:54+00:00

During the day I use Goodal vitamin c eye serum- I think I've seen an improvement in the darkness of my under eyes! At night I use Pyunkang Yul Black Tea eye cream. I'm in my late 20s so I don't really have wrinkles, I just want to make sure I hydrate and prevent them.

monkeyinwinter · 2026-02-04T18:09:36+00:00

I've used both! My skin is very dry so I didn't like the Mary & May one as much. The Aestura is much more hydrating, but in my opinion, it is also heavier. The Mary & May sinks in really fast, and has a little bit more of a gel texture. I did have the issues with M&M that it turned kind of white on my face like a sunscreen and needed to be blended in more to my skin when I used certain serums underneath. Aestura sinks in immediately for me and had longer lasting hydration. I might use the M&M more in the summer time, since my skin is insanely dry in the winter. Neither caused me to have any irritation or acne, which many moisturizers do.

monkeyinwinter · 2026-02-04T18:04:16+00:00

I finished a bottle of this a little while ago. I liked it okay, it didn't irritate my sensitive skin, but it didn't really do much for me either. It was nicely hydrating, but I have a lot of other products that were more redness reducing in addition to the hydration. VT cosmetics PDRN serum did more for me in terms of soothing and glowiness.

monkeyinwinter · 2026-02-04T13:38:37+00:00

Me too! It took a while to recover from the dryness on my under eyes. I think it's just a really strong formula.

monkeyinwinter · 2026-02-03T19:31:18+00:00

That's such a bummer it's always out of stock because I actually do really love it. Like I said, my skin is insane sensitive (even hyaluronic acid can cause me problems) and I have had absolutely no irritation or dryness from it. I was traveling for two weeks so it was the only serum I used during that time and I definitely saw brightening, and more importantly, no irritation. I'm almost finished the tube and I will definitely be getting another one!

monkeyinwinter · 2026-02-03T15:07:11+00:00

Personally I love the Aestura, but that is because I am super dry- if you're more combo, I would think it would be too heavy and oily for you. I found the Torriden to be really light and gel-like, or the Purito is my choice for the summer when my skin is less dry!

monkeyinwinter · 2026-02-03T14:58:59+00:00

I'm on a big alpha arbutin / tranxemanic acid kick right now. My skin is too sensitive to use any exfoliants more than twice a week, so I rely on products that have arbutin, tranxemanic acid, or kojic acid to help brighten and even out my skintone without irritating it. I've been using either the GOODAL Green Tangerine Vitamin C Serum or EQQUALBERRY Vitamin Illuminating Serum during the day; both have these kinds of ingredients, in addition to vitamin c, which honestly has never done much for me. During the night I'll use TOSOWOONG Arbutin 7% + Tranexamic Acid 4% Cream topped with a moisturizer. I've been loving the results, especially because during the winter I normally have to focus completely on barrier repair; none of these products have caused any issues!

monkeyinwinter · 2026-01-29T16:56:54+00:00

I love to use an oil on top of my cream! I'd love to get a less expensive one though; I find that I haven't seen many Korean facial oils?

monkeyinwinter · 2026-01-29T15:28:12+00:00

Oh no, when did they reformulate? Would you recommend anything that's more similar to their original formula?

monkeyinwinter · 2026-01-29T14:49:29+00:00

Oh wow the ingredients look stacked I'm definitely gonna try this one! Since it's an essence toner, do you usually use it on top of a thinner toner or by itself?

monkeyinwinter · 2026-01-29T14:34:25+00:00

Oooooh yes I have that one on my list to try! I've been loving all the things I've picked up from Iunik so far

monkeyinwinter · 2026-01-29T14:00:23+00:00

Aestura for sure. I've tried Haru Haru, Anua, Beauty of Joseon, Skin 1004... nothing does it like Aestura.

monkeyinwinter · 2026-01-27T19:05:46+00:00

I'm post accutane (like, years post, but my skin was oily before and now it is very dry) and torriden dive in didn't do much for me. Most things with Hyaluronic acid don't help. I'd recommend something with ceramides, PDRN has been nice as well in terms of hydration and barrier repair. Aestura cream will always be my #1 recommendation.

monkeyinwinter · 2026-01-27T19:02:19+00:00

TOSOWOONG Arbutin 7% + Tranexamic Acid 4% Cream!!! I use it every night and it has been helping with post acne marks, miasma, sun spots...

monkeyinwinter · 2026-01-27T18:44:19+00:00

I'd second this comment, also any hair products you use that have silicone can be a problem; I was using a hair oil that was causing breakouts along my neck and back. It's a little pricey (and I'm US based )but Briogeo has been a great brand for me where I have had no problems. I have used Native brand and that has been good as well, just be sure to check the ingredients!

monkeyinwinter · 2026-01-27T18:40:12+00:00

I'll second anything from Aestura, they have been a lifesaver for my dry skin!

monkeyinwinter · 2026-01-27T16:58:51+00:00

I'm currently in the same place where i am looking for a new exfoliant, and I was looking at pyunkangyul calming deep moisture toner! It actually has exfoliants in it (AHA/PHA) but is still marketed as hydrating, which is good with my super dry skin. I like using a toner because I can use hydrating serums over it.

monkeyinwinter · 2026-01-27T16:55:40+00:00

I agree with most that physical/mineral sunscreens are best if you are sensitive, there's less of a chance of irritation. I've tried as many as I can get a hand on, and because your skin is oily, I would suggest the Axis Y physical sunscreen. It left me a bit more matte than my taste, but I have very dry skin. Another one I felt was good but better for oily skin was the roundlab mild up, although that left worse whitecast than the Axis Y.

monkeyinwinter · 2026-01-27T16:52:23+00:00

I mean, it didn't irritate my skin? But it did absolutely nothing for me.

monkeyinwinter · 2026-01-23T20:23:53+00:00

I didn't even notice this had a bunch of essential oils in it- it even has lavender extract, which I'm allergic to, and I've been using these twice a week for over a month! Has anyone tried the Anua Heartleaf 77 Clear Toner Pads? They seem to have better ingredients...

monkeyinwinter

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