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Medicube’s Zero Pore Pads have been going viral on TikTok, and it all started with Alix Earle and her NYC-based board-certified dermatologist, Dr. Kiran Mian. In case you missed it, Earle’s series about visiting her derm and her subsequent skincare recommendations got the internet buzzing, specifically about the wonders of Medicube’s Zero Pore Pads. The K-Beauty brand has been taking over this year thanks to its Mini Booster device, which helps your skincare products better absorb into your skin. And now, the brand’s Zero Pore Pads are having their moment in the spotlight.
Earle has been documenting her skincare journey, which includes the Medicube bestseller. She’s posted multiple videos about her visits with Dr. Mian, where they also discuss what Earle is doing for her skincare routine and the benefits behind each of the products being recommended. “Alix and I were introduced by a mutual connection,” Dr. Mian told TQE. The TikTok star’s video with the dermatologist about not wearing makeup for 48 hours also resonated with many of her followers and sparked a conversation about how acne can affect your self-confidence. “We resonated on how painful acne can be, and not just skin deep, but how it can affect your mood, motivation, and well-being. At the same time, it doesn’t make you who you are, and true confidence comes from within.”
Having tried thousands of beauty products over my years as an editor, I wanted to get to the bottom of if this product was a) worth the hype or b) just popular because of an influencer ~*influencing*~. Since I have super sensitive skin, I decided to go straight to the source and ask both Dr. Mian and Dr. Bhanusali (who also happens to be a dermatologist for Hailey Bieber’s skincare and makeup line Rhode) to get down to the science behind this product and why this product has become such a holy grail. We even have tips so you can learn the correct way to use the product to get the most benefits.
Keep reading for my honest review of Medicube’s viral Zeo Pore Pads and gain insight from Dr. Mian and Dr. Bhanusali before you make your purchase.
We like
- Dual pad concept is pretty cool and combines skincare steps
- Compact packaging
- Easy to use
- Large Quantity for the price
We don't like
- Might be a little harsh for those with ultra-sensitive skin.
- If you have sensitive skin, you need to build your skin’s tolerance up first
- It leaves a little sticky feeling on your skin afterwards
What Are Medicube’s Zero Pore Pads?
- These dual-textured facial pads have an embossed side that exfoliates and a silky side that hydrates
- They were specially designed to help enlarged pores, dull and rough skin, and help with excess sebum that causes greasy skin.
- It also helps tackle both blackheads and whiteheads
- The product claims to provide a triple solution of “Pore Tightening + Exfoliating + Soothing”
Key Ingredients
- BHA (Salicylic Acid), AHA: Helps exfoliate dead skin cells and reduces sebum
- Citrus oils, leaf oils, fruit extracts: Helps with skin’s moisture control
- Anti Sebum P (Patented Pore Care Ingredients): Helps minimize pores
Dr. Bhanusali broke down the key ingredients of the Zero Pore Pads for us. “The BHA refers to the white willow bark, which has salicin (a precursor to salicylic acid),” Dr. Bhanusali explains to TQE. “Salicylic Acid is a great beta hydroxy acid that is lipophilic, meaning it absorbs into the oil glands and helps decrease production. The light fruit extracts tend to be gentle and less irritating than ingredients like glycolic acid.”
How To Use:
Dr. Mian recommends using the product AM or PM on a cleansed face. “Start from the forehead and swipe downward in small strokes, working your way down to the neck and décolletage. I like doing this in the AM to separate it from any retinoid use.” I start by washing my face with a simple cleanser like Dieux’s Baptism Cleanser or Sofie Pavitt’s Clean Clean Gentle Cleanser. After cleansing, I take out one of the pads from the jar and start by swiping the embossed side on my face. Once I complete that, I follow up by using the silky side of the toner pad, and finish by lightly patting to absorb any extra toner onto my face for maximum absorption. In terms of how often you should be using the product, Dr. Bhanusali explained that it varies for those with normal to combination skin and those with very oily skin. “These types of products are ideal to use 1-2x a week for normal to combo skin and two to three times a week for very oily skin. It’s important to note you wouldn't combine with a retinol or any other exfoliating treatment, so you don't overwhelm the skin. Less is more!”
My Honest Review:
I’m not going to lie – I was a bit hesitant about testing it out at first because when I say my skin is super sensitive, I mean it. I often break out immediately if I use a product with certain ingredients, even if they are marketed for sensitive skin. “Those with super sensitive skin may be able to tolerate this product less frequently, but can still use this, as it has a nice balance of exfoliating acids along with soothing ingredients like allantoin,” explained Dr. Mian.
The first time I used the product, I started by testing out the product only on areas of my face that were super clogged, like my chin, nose, and forehead. Slowly, I worked my way up to using the product twice a week as recommended.
It was really easy to use, and I liked the fact that the dual sides remove the additional steps of applying a serum right after a toner. My skin was breaking out around my chin because I was actually testing out another cleaner this week (ironic, I know,) so I was interested in seeing if this would actually help unclog my pores.
The Final Results
After initial use, I noticed that I became a little red around the apples of my cheeks (which tends to happen sometimes with certain actives), but overall my skin did look and feel smoother after just one use. The silky (hydration) side of the toner pad was calming but it did leave a little stickiness on my face even after 10 minutes of sitting, which I wasn’t the biggest fan of. Dr. Mian stated that in terms of results, “Skin texture should improve fairly quickly, within three weeks. Whiteheads and blackheads may take six weeks for improvement.”
After two weeks of continuous use (2x a week), I did notice that the congestion on my chin was a lot better, and my nose had fewer blackheads as well. My one note is that if you do have sensitive skin, take your time to work your way up to 2x a week and only focus on congested areas. I continued to stay away from the super sensitive parts of my face (like my cheeks) and focused only on areas that were clogged. Overall, if you are someone who deals with acne, whiteheads, and blackheads, I think that this product is a great addition to your skincare routine when used correctly. It also doesn’t hurt that they come in a large pack of 70 pads, so they will last you a long time.
Shop the products online at Medicube.com and Amazon.
