Frustrated about your blackheads and enlarged pores every time you look in the mirror? You’re not alone! As an urbanite who lives in a city with high pollution and wears a face mask for more than eight hours a day, I’m always on the quest for the right products that deal with stubborn and pesky dirt and pollutants deep in my pores.

Korean skin care brand TIA’M’s Pore Minimizing 21 series specifically targets the common skin care problems of enlarged pores and blackheads. As the name suggests, the line consists of pore care products, including the Pore Minimizing 21 Serum, Pore Minimizing 21 Cream and Blackhead Out Sheet nose pads, that promise to deliver visible improvements in 21 days. I understand there are no quick and final fixes to blackheads and enlarged pores. I just hoped these three products could help improve my overall complexion and deliver gradual but promising results in the long term.

Read on to find out how they fared on my skin, and for guidance on how to remove blackheads and minimize pores using TIA’M’s trio!

Blackhead Out Sheet Nose Pad

What it is:

A nose sheet pad that reduces excess sebum production, and exfoliates and purifies pores with anti-inflammatory and antibacterial ingredients like soapberry extract and natural BHA. It also comes with a pack of cotton swabs to draw out impurities and blackheads.

How to use:

Wrap the sheet pad around your nose and let it sit for 10-15 minutes. Then gently use the provided cotton swabs (the end with a built-in extractor) to remove the softened blackheads. For better results, steam your face beforehand to open up pores.

My take:

As the nose sheet pad is drenched in a blend of acids and exfoliating ingredients, I only used it once or twice a week before I went to bed. I’m one of many who love the gratifying process of squeezing blackheads out from my nose, so I was low-key stoked to try this out.

Unfortunately, I was disappointed by the design of the round and large nose pad sheet, which was too big but didn’t properly cover my entire nose. Despite the design,  I appreciate that the sheet pad uses effective exfoliators (natural BHA and salicylic acid) and soapberry extract to penetrate deep into my skin to melt away blackheads and pore-clogging substances. TIA’M didn’t skimp on the hydration benefits when developing this nose pack as each pad was heavily drenched with its ingredients.

The soaked pad adhered nicely onto my nose without falling off. After letting it sit for 10-15 minutes, I used the cotton swabs (the end with the built-in extractor) to scrape out blackheads, and managed to squeeze a few out. I’m not going to lie: seeing all the gunk get purged from my skin was the best feeling! The sheet nose pad left my skin feeling deeply cleansed and refreshed. Thanks to the infused soapberry extract in the product, I immediately noticed that my nose had a smooth and clear appearance, and was less shiny than before application.

Pore Minimizing 21 Serum

What it is:

This gentle yet powerful serum is formulated with a high concentration of niacinamide (20%), willow bark extract and natural BHA to remove dead skin cells and impurities. It delivers a mattifying effect upon application for a smooth finish.

My take:

Right off the bat, I was skeptical about the product after seeing white residue on the serum bottle. Luckily, the labeling on the bottle indicated that the white residue was due to 20% niacinamide in the formula – that’s a lot of niacinamide! Every time I applied a small amount of the serum onto my entire face, it gradually transformed from a liquid texture to a thin white powdery layer on my skin. I have a love-hate relationship with this serum: although I wasn’t a fan of how it left a powdery white layer on my face, I loved the mattifying effect it delivered afterwards. The serum left my skin super smooth and velvety, and when I  glanced in the mirror, I noticed that my pores were visibly smaller! After using it for a few weeks, it also reduced some blemishes on my skin. However, with its unusual white powder after-effect on skin and the formula’s high concentration of niacinamide, I’d advise using it at most twice a week and preferably at night, because I doubt it will blend easily with other makeup products.

Pore Minimizing 21 Cream

What it is:

A face cream that reduces oiliness and shine while tightening pores and working to prevent blackheads with ingredients such as 2.1% natural BHA, 5% niacinamide and panthenol. 

My take:

Most blackhead-removing or pore-minimizing products tend to leave skin dry because of the formulas’ exfoliating and antibacterial properties. That’s why it’s always important to top off your pore care routine with a face cream that restores hydration and provides a moisturizing layer on top of skin. This cream not only delivers exfoliating and pore-tightening benefits, it also maintains skin balance with panthenol infused in the formula. I have no complaints in using this face cream as the lightweight yet hydrating texture and consistency suited my combination skin, but take note that it may not be moisturizing enough for people with dry skin. The cream absorbed quite seamlessly into my skin. Since panthenol, one of its key ingredients, is a well-known skin protectant, this cream is a perfect final step in the skin care routine to seal in moisture while delivering all those pore-minimizing effects!

Final Verdict

You can’t shrink pores and get rid of blackheads overnight; there are no miracle cures for these skin care concerns. Even so, TIA’M’s pore-minimizing trio deserve spots in your nighttime skin care lineup, as all three products contain effective ingredients to tackle those concerns. The products didn’t cause any breakouts or irritations on my skin. If you’re interested in TIA’M’s Pore Minimizing 21 line, I’d definitely recommend to buy these three products together, instead of just one, for maximum benefits and results!