Clinique • Pore Minimizer Refining Lotion • Treatments

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LoveZelda on 12/30/2011 1:42:00 AM more reviews by LoveZelda

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Sensitive, Fair   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

I am so bummed that they are discontinuing this product! It's worked WONDERS for me.

I received it as a gift 3-4 years back and never used it. I found it not too long ago while cleaning my bathroom and though it was extremely old, I decided to use it on this huge, hugeee enlarged pore I've had on my nose for the longest time. After a week of applying it before bed on my nose, the enlarged pore (as well as my other small ones) literally dissapeared! I am so so so happy! This product was a LIFESAVER!

Buying as much as I can find on eBay!

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cfabal on 8/14/2011 5:18:00 PM more reviews by cfabal

Age: 36-43   Skin: Very Oily, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

I have very oily skin and this is the only product that keeps me mattified! I have tried Dr. Brandt (overly priced and tinted which darkens my skin and stains my clothes), the Clearasil (does nothing, although works great for acne, the Fx (did absolutely nothing), the Murad (nothing at all), and Biore (does declog pores similar to a facial, but does not reduce oil or size of pores). The Refining Lotion from Clinique is a product that I can not do without! It smoothes out my smaller pores, and mattifies my skin so well that I do not need to put on foundation above it! Also, it is clear, so it will not run on a rainy or humid South Florida day. It gives my skin the smooth clear radiant appearance that does not shine and it controls the oil behind the pores that make them grow. I can not say it shrinks the pores, but it certainly stops them from growing further. Kind of like a stretch mark cream, it won't remove current stretch marks, just helps prevent new ones from becoming permanent. This is by far the best product I have used on my skin! Although, I think that they should rename it as a mattifying lotion. I have also tried their Refining Serum, but I find that it is not very good. The Serum feels oily, though they claim it to be oil-free. Well, if oil were not a problem, then neither would the pores grow too much. It is the clogged up oil that makes them grow. So make sure that you ask for the Lotion, not the Serum.

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jenjenx2 on 7/25/2011 12:14:00 PM more reviews by jenjenx2

Age: 25-29   Skin: Sensitive, Fair-Medium, Neutral   Hair: Black, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

It was pretty cheap, like $25..
Right now I use it at night to try and repair the damage caused by Biore Pore strips, but this lotion doesn't really do much..
I might try and use it as a day lotion because it's not too greasy, and not rely on it to help my pores sigh

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*TOP REVIEWER* charlies04 on 1/27/2011 2:08:00 PM more reviews by charlies04

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair, Cool   Hair: Blond, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Blue    

I really wasn't impressed with this product! From a distance it appeared to make my complexion look much smoother, which was good, but close-up to the mirror it made my pores look so indented and prominent! I would say I naturally have medium sized pores and I felt like this product made them look bigger and more of an issue than I even started with-giving me more of a problem than I even had to begin with. This gets a big thumbs down from me.

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*TOP REVIEWER* vesuvana on 11/14/2010 6:02:00 PM more reviews by vesuvana

Age: 36-43   Skin: Sensitive, Fair   Hair: Red   Eyes: Green    

I've started noticing pores on either side of my nose when I wear foundation and the SA told me this would actually shrink them after a while, even though he couldn't tell me what the active ingredients are. So far, it's slightly mattifying where I apply it, but no change even temporarily to the appearance of my pores. I don't know why anyone uses Clinique skin care when there are products out there with real proven active ingredients that can help. I certainly won't again.

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*TOP REVIEWER* Xxkonixx on 10/13/2010 8:06:00 PM more reviews by Xxkonixx

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Black   Eyes: Black    

this make my t zone feel congested and i dun notice a whole lot of different after using this and not using it........and the biggest problem is i can't seems to blend this thing on my nose without some white residues....i think i 'm better off without it............

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skeptiqs on 10/12/2010 2:36:00 AM more reviews by skeptiqs

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

I agree with the post below about the bumps on the cheeks and stuff. I broke out on my forehead and IVE nenever any type of acne problems on my forehead before!!! And when I put it on it stings!!

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chezz on 7/27/2010 1:28:00 AM more reviews by chezz

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Brown, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

I am using this with the Instant Perfector on my Tzone areas. When I use this, I will skip my moisturizer on my Tzone...although it doesn't completely hide my pores especially the large ones, but it makes the smaller pores appear invisible and also controls the oil. My Tzone looks matte after applying this and the Perfector. For application method, you can refer to my Clinique Pore Minimizer Instant Perfector review. My Tzone areas didn't look SO shiny n oily the whole day, I still need to blot once or twice, but it is better than without having it on.
Before that, my Tzones will start to shine within half an hour, and you can see the pores and blackheads - Arrghhh. This is still my favourite until I discover a better one.

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littlemoonbeamm on 7/25/2010 6:59:00 PM more reviews by littlemoonbeamm

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Tan, Warm   Hair: Brown, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

This product put my face through hell. I started using it to minimize the pores on my cheeks and it somehow broke my entire face out in tiny little bumps. The bumps weren't even spaced far apart, my face was bumpy. BUMPY. Ugh, I was devasted! At first I blamed my foundation and stopped using it but the bumps weren't going anywhere. Then I stopped using my Philosophy Purity, and the bumps still weren't going anywhere. I finally stopped using the pore minimizer and my face cleared up in 2 days. It's rediculous! I have no idea if anyone else had the same problem with it as I did, but what a waste of money! It didn't even minimize my pores! >:|

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chrissygalpal on 7/24/2010 7:21:00 PM more reviews by chrissygalpal

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Neutral   Hair: Brown, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

Sorry their was NO pore Minimizing here. NONE. I have large pores on my nose and cheeks area and have combo skin and this product was a waist for me. I returned it fast. I gave it a week and that was all I needed.

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Rachierach0000 on 6/24/2010 9:57:00 AM more reviews by Rachierach0000

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Blue    

I have quite large pores on my nose, and have always hated them as i get bad blackheads. Recently i noticed the pores on my cheeks were getting really big and i got into a right old panic and started looking on here and online for some treatment. I decided to give this a go and have been using since the end of april (pretty much 2 months). Its a lovely consistency, you only need a tiny bit like literally pea size or so really. I would guess i have about half a tube left if not more, and i use it twice a day every single day. It dries really nicely into a matt finish, but i didnt see it do anything really. Then one day i tried just one side and was walking to work, had a look in the daylight and you could actually see a difference! The side i used it on was slightly plumper and the pores didnt look so bad. Now, i give it a lower mark still because it hasnt improved my cheeks and they are the worst bit. Maybe improved my nose at a push but i also have small pores on my forehead and chin and they are still the same :( so i guess its good as a primer type product but long term not effective. I wouldnt buy again because its a little bit pricey for what it is.

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catarinaf14 on 5/9/2010 7:27:00 PM more reviews by catarinaf14

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

I have significantly large pores that bug me a lot and i have been searching for a product that would minimize them. When i went to the clinique counter the lady said that this product works to strengthen the pore walls and it would take a few weeks to see results. I use this twice a day and just apply a tiny tiny amount (less than a pea size) and pat it lightly on my cheeks and chin after cleansing, toning and moisturizing. I have been using this for approximately 3 weeks and just started seeing a difference. Granted, it's not a huge difference but it's enough for me to continue using this especially since i still have a lot of product left. I paid 25 dollars Canadian for this so it is a bit pricey, however, i would reccomend it to anyone who has a problem with large pores and my advice is to not be discouraged if you don't see results in the first few weeks! Keep at it :)

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cvieyra on 2/26/2010 4:06:00 PM more reviews by cvieyra

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Hazel    

now i dont have large pores but when i put on foundation they seem to show and i still havent been able to find a foundation to smooth them. i bought this hoping that it would help but sadly it did nothing. it doesnt moisturize well and you hardley get any product. the clinique lady said i would have to use for a couple of weeks to see results but nothing and after a couple of weeks of just using on my cheeks its almost all gone.

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clazies on 2/8/2010 5:31:00 PM more reviews by clazies

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Blue    

I absolutely would purchase this product again. I use this product about twice a week after exfoliating/moisturizing and my pores are noticeably smaller than when I didn't use this. Granted this product is not a miracle worker- and does not make your face pore-less. However, it really does decrease the size of your pores IF you are combining it with other products like exfoliants etc.

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skylark on 12/5/2009 2:23:00 PM more reviews by skylark

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination   Hair: Black   Eyes: Black    

I don't know what the hype about this product is but it really does nothing for me. It just looks like it makes my skin look matte but I get the same effect from using Milk of magnesium as a primer. the tube looks pretty but there's no way I'd buy this again.

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lonetabby on 11/25/2009 4:54:00 PM more reviews by lonetabby

Age: 19-24   Skin: Sensitive, Fair   Hair: Brunette, Curly, Medium   Eyes: Hazel    

I'll join the legions in saying, it only works temporarily. Great efffects while on, but you have to have it on to notice any difference in the pores. My nose always felt rubbery after removing this, so whatever causes it to shrink the pores is probably doing that.

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wiwid1103 on 10/17/2009 3:45:00 AM more reviews by wiwid1103

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Black, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

i bought this product to shrink my pores... but this product doesnt do permanent effect. its only work when i apply it, if i dont use this product, my pores just back to its original size.
But this product works great as make up base. It makes my foundation look flawless and control my oil production. So it makes my face look matte almost the whole day.
im quite please with this product.

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t4nvmind on 9/22/2009 2:17:00 PM more reviews by t4nvmind

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Acne-prone, Medium, Warm   Hair: Black, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

I have been using this product for quite awhile, and I feel absolutely disappointed in this product. It does nothing. It doesn't make my pores smaller or anything. Seriously I don't recommend this product for anybody because I think it is useless, a waste of money.

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*TOP REVIEWER* skwpt on 9/6/2009 10:19:00 AM more reviews by skwpt

Age: 44-55   Skin: Combination, Fair, Cool   Hair: Blond, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Blue    

I have always had oily skin so I have virtually no wrinkles -- but the same oil that protects my skin from aging has contributed to enlarged pores. I'd been wearing Jane Iredale pressed mineral powder/foundation for years, but this past spring I switched to a liquid/cream for better coverage on my T-zone, where I have some redness from mild rosacea. Unfortunately, these pink areas are the same location as the enlarged pores, and I ended up with makeup visibly settling in my pores by the afternoon. I sampled literally *dozens* of foundations and primers at Sephora, but none worked. Until Clinique.


I don't know how they do it. There must be some kind of astringent in the lotion, and I can't help but wonder if this product replaced Clinique's long-discontinued Pore Minimizer Makeup. My pores shrunk immediately after I applied the lotion and my foundation had a flawless finish -- straight through to evening.


By late afternoon, I had some oil on my T-zone, which caused the pores to wink open, but it was nothing an oil blotting paper couldn't handle in ten seconds, and I didn't have little darkened divots of foundation in the bottoms of my pores.


I am mostly satisfied with the Pore Refining Lotion's temporary effects, but I do not believe this product will permanently reduce the shape of anyone's pores. The only way to do that is to turn back the clock or invest in IPL (Intense Pulsed Light Photofacials).


I read some bad reviews about this product, calling it useless. That's not my finding, but my expectations were realistic for what it could and could not do. For very oily/younger skins, the astringent (shrinking) effects might wear off more quickly, but it's so easy to dab on a bit more, as the thin tube is very portable.

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faircherie on 8/25/2009 12:42:00 AM more reviews by faircherie

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

This is crap. I don't know what Clinique's and the other reviewers' definition of large pores is, but it does nothing. It does not make you poreless, it does not minimize the size of your pores. It simply makes the skin of your pores MATTE. That's all.

It's also not a treatment therefore it won't improve anything; it works like a primer. I'm glad I only got it as a sample. SKIP this one.

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