Dr. Brandt Pores No More Pore Refiner

Several big-name skincare companies have introduced products designed to both treat skin — by sapping sebum and oils and/or infusing skin with anti-aging chemicals – while also performing the double duty of makeup without actually containing makeup.

Pore minimizers – whether in moisturizer, serum or scrub form – are huge right now and Dr. Brandt Pores No More Pore Refiner is leading the pack with an “I can’t believe it isn’t foundation” version of the super mattifying lotion.

Although nothing can actually minimize pores – they have a mind of their own – Dr. Brandt’s version contains an optical diffuser that gives your skin a polished, powder-fresh look and flaxseed, designed to absorb oil.
True, this is a slightly expensive ($45 for one ounce) Band-aid for shiny skin, but wow, what a bandage. It works and, if your skin is free of blemishes, is all the skin make-up you’ll need.

Since this product contains zero sunscreen (which is, in general, my one major gripe about pore refiners), I apply a pea-size amount over my usual daytime moisturizer. The lotion is often too drying for my nose — an unfortunate result of having combination skin, I guess.

But until someone (Dr. Brandt, I hope, since I am a huge fan of his products) comes out with a more moisturizing pore refiner, this is one of the best on the market.