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I’ve been K-beauty obsessed for a while now, and one brand that has pretty much taken over my skincare shelf recently is Medicube. From their PDRN serum and Hailey Bieber-approved microcurrent device to their collagen overnight wrapping mask, I’ve tested my fair share of products from the brand – and it’s safe to say I’m a big fan.
One product that kept coming up time and time again on my TikTok FYP – and in pretty much every K-beauty roundup I read – was Medicube’s Zero Pore Pads. As a beauty writer, I was curious to see whether the “glass skin” claims were actually true, or whether this was just another overhyped online fad.
I picked up a pack for myself during the biggest beauty haul of my life in Japan last August, and I’ve been using them ever since. The double-sided pads are essentially a toner and exfoliator in one, designed to smooth texture, refine the look of pores and keep excess oil in check. And because I’ve now been using them for long enough to know whether they actually deliver, my full review below has everything you need to know before adding them to your basket.
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How I tested Medicube’s Zero Pore Pads:
At Glamour, we take testing products seriously – so no, that doesn’t mean using something once and calling it a day. Whether it’s for a full review or a place in one of our roundups, everything is tested for weeks, if not months. I first started spotting these pads all over my For You Page, with people claiming they were the secret to “glass skin” – and obviously, as a beauty writer, I was intrigued.
I’ve now been using them just under a year, and I'd go as far as to say I couldn't be without them. I don’t use them every single day, but usually around three times a week after cleansing. Since introducing them into my routine, I’ve noticed a real difference in my pores (especially around my nose), and my skin just looks overall more radiant and even. They exfoliate without feeling too harsh when used properly, and one of the biggest things I noticed is how much smoother my makeup applies afterwards - my base just sits so much better. You can read more about how we test here.
Why you can trust me:
I’ve been a beauty writer for six years now - five at the Mirror and the past year at Glamour - so testing skincare, makeup and haircare is quite literally part of the job. When it comes to recommendations, I always make sure products are properly tested, either by other Glamour editors or me, before they make it onto our pages (or into your routines). Korean beauty is absolutely everywhere right now, and Medicube is a brand that’s pretty much taken over my skincare shelf at this point—from their PDRN serum and microcurrent device to their collagen night wrapping mask, and of course, their famous Zero Pore Pads. Safe to say, I’m a bit of a super fan.
I actually attended the brand’s first-ever UK event recently, where we got a deep dive into their bestsellers and met the team – some of whom had travelled over from Korea. One thing that really stuck with me is that Medicube is a South Korean “derma-cosmetic” brand, meaning everything is rooted in clinical, science-backed formulas designed to deliver visible results at home. Founded in 2017, the whole idea is to bridge the gap between expensive, in-clinic treatments and your everyday skincare routine – which, honestly, makes total sense when you see how effective some of their products are.
How I use Medicube’s Zero Pore Pads
Personally, I use these around three times a week, as my skin leans more dry and slightly sensitive – but if you have oilier skin, you could comfortably use them daily. I always start with a freshly cleansed face, then take one pad and go in with the embossed (textured) side first, gently sweeping it across my skin from the centre of my face outwards. This is the step that really exfoliates and clears out pores.
I then flip the pad over to the smooth side and go over my face again, which helps to refine the skin, add a bit of hydration and pick up anything the first side might have missed. There’s no need to rinse – just pat in any leftover essence and carry on with the rest of your routine.
One thing I’m really mindful of is what I pair them with. Because they contain AHAs and BHAs, I avoid using them in the same routine as retinol, vitamin C (especially L-ascorbic acid), benzoyl peroxide or any other exfoliating acids. Mixing these can lead to irritation and over-exfoliation, which is definitely not the goal. On nights (or mornings) when I use these, I keep the rest of my routine simple and hydrating.
My experience using Medicube's Zero Pore Pads
My skin leans on the drier side and can be quite sensitive – so I’m not exactly the obvious match for a product designed with oily skin in mind. Even so, these have worked really well for me. The biggest difference I’ve noticed has been around my nose, where my pores are always the most visible, but I’ve also found my skin overall looks smoother and more even when these are regularly in my routine. I used to get quite a few under-the-skin bumps as well, and these pads have definitely helped calm that down.
One of the things I like most is that I can tailor them to how my skin is feeling. If my skin feels fine and I want more of a proper exfoliating step, I’ll use both sides. If it’s feeling a bit reactive, I’ll sometimes skip the more textured side and just use the smoother side instead. It makes them feel more versatile than a standard exfoliating product, and because they’re double-sided, they do feel a bit like getting two products in one.
They’re great value too. You get 70 pads for around £15, and because I only use them two or three times a week, one tub lasts me ages.
The only issue I had was at the start, when I used them too often. I got a bit carried away and was reaching for them almost every day, which my skin definitely didn’t appreciate. I ended up with some dryness and itchiness around my chin, which was my sign to take it slow. Since cutting back to two or three times a week, I’ve had no irritation. On the days I use them, I always skip my usual vitamin C serum and retinol and follow with a hydrating moisturiser instead.
After more viral Amazon beauty buys? Read our Biodance Collagen Mask review, The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid serum review and our COSRX snail mucin essence review.
