Temu Zero Pores primer review

Zero Pores. Sounds like a dream come true, doesn’t it? If, like me, you struggle to achieve a super-smooth surface for foundation, a good primer can make a world of difference. While most leading makeup brands offer pore minimising base products, very few promise to make your pores vanish completely. Enter Temu and a primer called Zero Pores…

The name of the product alludes to a super-sheer finish. No craters. No bumps. In fact, no indentations at all. I had to give it a try.

Zero Pores, pictured with an every-day foundation.

This primer retails for under £2 on Temu. That’s ridiculously cheap for a pore minimising primer. However, it has garnered great reviews and is so popular you can buy it in packs of two. It sits neatly somewhere between gel primers and trending blur sticks.

While Temu has expanded its seller pool to include those based in the UK, meaning faster shipping times, many smaller items still originate from mainland China. This product is no exception. Having said that, my primer arrived - in perfect condition - in around seven days.

About Zero Pores

This primer is sold in a 20g tube. I parted with a mere £1.44 for it. Made by Yilest, it uses a combination of silicones and crosspolymers to fill in and smooth over imperfections. As well as reducing the appearance of pores, this product is said to transform dull skin by boosting radiance. 

So, how did I get on?

My Zero Pores arrived in a sealed box. The tube size is reasonably small but larger than a lip balm - 12.5cm in length. 

I applied the product to clean, toned skin.

Unlike gripping primers, which are mostly clear, this primer is a silky cream. It has a tinted pinky-beige appearance, but this does not translate to any colour on the skin. Instead, the pigment works to even out the skin tone. My first impression was that it would perform like a skin tint, but that wasn't the case.

It applies like a dream and has a pleasant, fresh smell - not unlike sunscreen. A small amount goes a long way! This tube has lasted four weeks, so far - and that is with regular use.

Does it improve the appearance of foundation on the skin? Yes, it does. It delivers an even base that promotes radiance and staying power.

Now for the all-important question: does Zero Pores completely camouflage pores?

No, not 100%. It definitely minimises them, though. I would say the reduction is by about 70 to 80%. So, it is one of the best pore minimising primers I’ve ever used.

Would I buy it again? Yes! I love the way my foundation looks when using this product. It delivers hydration as well as even skin tone, and that really helps base makeup to blend to a flawless finish. It also aids the baking process when I set my look with loose powder. 

When you consider the cost of branded pore minimising primers, Zero Pores is dirt cheap. But, as I discovered, low cost doesn’t mean low performance. 

This primer looks tinted but applies to the skin without adding colour.

How do face primers like Zero Pores work?

Right, let's get down to brass tacks about face primers promising to shrink your pores. You see them plastered across magazine pages and on platforms like Temu, but how exactly do these cosmetic concoctions pull off this apparent vanishing act? It's less magic and more clever formulation.

Imagine the surface of your skin being put under a microscope. What looks smooth to the naked eye is actually a landscape of tiny valleys and peaks - those valleys being your pores. These are the natural openings for oil and sweat glands. Sometimes, they appear larger due to factors like genetics, oil buildup, or even past sun damage loosening the skin around them.

Now, enter the pore-minimising primer. Most of these products rely on a few key strategies. One common approach involves filling in those valleys. Ingredients like silicones – often listed as dimethicone or cyclomethicone – are masters of this. In fact, these silicones are in Zero Pores. The polymers have a smooth, almost silky texture. When applied, they glide over the skin and settle into those pores, creating a more even surface. It's akin to using plaster to smooth out a wall before painting. Light then reflects more evenly off this smoother surface, visually reducing the appearance of the pores.

Another tactic some primers employ is absorption. Certain ingredients, such as charcoal or clay, can help soak up excess oil sitting within the pores. This temporary removal of oil can make the pores appear less prominent. Think of it like blotting paper for your entire face, specifically targeting those tiny openings.

Some primers contain light-diffusing particles. These minuscule ingredients work by scattering light as it hits the skin. Instead of light being absorbed or highlighting the texture of the pores, Light is bounced off in multiple directions, creating a softer, more blurred effect. This optical illusion contributes to the perception of smaller pores. You often find this type of particle in finishing and brightening powders.

It's important to understand that these primers don't actually shrink the physical size of your pores. They are temporary fixes, merely cosmetic camouflage. The effects last as long as the primer is on your skin. Once you cleanse your face, your pores will return to their normal appearance.

So, while the claims of ‘pore shrinking’ might be a bit of marketing hyperbole, these primers do offer a tangible benefit for those seeking a smoother makeup base. They create a more uniform canvas, allowing foundation to glide on seamlessly and reducing the likelihood of it settling into and accentuating pores. It's a clever trick of texture and light, offering a temporary but often desired refinement to the skin's appearance.