🇬🇧United Kingdom

Mary Kay Timewise Pore Minimizer for acne-prone skin

High

  • SuperiorCombination Skin Fit
  • HighEffectiveness
  • ExcellentSafety

A great choice for acne-prone skin; a few serums fit it even better.

This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with acne-prone skin: breakouts, blackheads, and post-acne marks. For scores and recommendations based on your full skin profile, including your 12D face scan results and any goals or preferences you have, please use the Lovi app.

Page built Nov 8, 2026How the Fit score works

Lovi Assistant explains

  • Excellent suitability for your combination skin is provided by Evodia Rutaecarpa Fruit Extract and Albizia Julibrissin Bark Extract, which help regulate sebum and offer antioxidant benefits, respectively.
  • Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer and Evodia Rutaecarpa Fruit Extract work effectively to minimize pores and refine skin texture, addressing your concerns about blemishes and breakouts.
  • The product is safe for your skin, as it contains soothing ingredients like Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract and Albizia Julibrissin Bark Extract, and lacks harsh or prohibited substances.

How to apply

  • Use your serum as part of your PM routine and start 3x/week before working up to daily use.
  • Apply this treatment after cleansing and toner, and before your moisturizer.
  • Gently press 2-3 drops of the serum into your skin and let it absorb for a minute.
  • Apply the product on clean, dry skin to help manage your breakouts safely.
  • Avoid the eye area and do a patch test before your first use.

People Say

★4.5Overall rating based on 100+ reviews

Based on limited data, this pore minimizer is frequently praised for refining skin texture and reducing the appearance of pores, leading to a smoother complexion. Users also find it works well as a makeup primer and has a lightweight feel. Some users note that consistent use yields better results and that it is most effective when used with other products in the same line.

Highlights

  • Reduces pore appearance Often Mentioned
    • “Significantly reduces the visible number of pores.”
    • “My pores are very minimal.”
    • “It makes my pores disappear.”
  • Refines skin texture Often Mentioned
    • “See a visibly smoother, flawless-looking complexion.”
    • “My skin immediately felt incredibly smooth – like baby skin.”
    • “It makes my skin feel refined—smooth, clean.”
  • Non-greasy/Lightweight Sometimes Noted
    • “This serum has a lightweight, silky texture.”
    • “Leaves no sticky residue.”
    • “It absorbed quickly, almost instantly.”
  • Works as primer Sometimes Noted
    • “This stuff works great as a primer!”
    • “Helps my makeup last!”
    • “It was an ease applying my liquid foundation after that.”
  • Best as part of set Sometimes Noted
    • “Best used together for best results.”
    • “Perfect after-step to microdermabrasion.”
    • “Combine the power of... [the] set.”
  • Requires consistent use Sometimes Noted
    • “You may not see immediate results.”
    • “After long-term use, I noticed a significant improvement.”
    • “Results get better over time.”
  • Limited anti-aging Rarely Noted
    • “Does not contain ingredients that are able to reduce fine lines.”
    • “Actives are not the most effective.”

Sources: lovi.care, influenster.com, marykay.com, spicysharon.com, lemon8-app.com, whatsinmyjar.com, and more

Questions and answers

What makes Timewise Pore Minimizer a great fit for acne-prone skin?

Mary Kay Timewise Pore Minimizer is a great fit for acne-prone skin because it contains ingredients like Evodia Rutaecarpa Fruit Extract and Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract that help control oil and soothe redness. These ingredients work together to minimize pores, refine skin texture, and keep breakouts calm without causing irritation.

Journal of Dermatological Science, 2006Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2019

Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for acne-prone skin?

Mary Kay Timewise Pore Minimizer is a great fit for acne-prone skin because ingredients like Evodia Rutaecarpa Fruit Extract and Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer help minimize pores, regulate oil, and refine skin texture. It also includes soothing Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract to keep the skin calm and comfortable.

Journal of Dermatological Science, 2006Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2019

What does Hyaluronic Acid do for acne-prone skin?

Hyaluronic acid helps acne-prone skin by soothing irritation, calming redness, and keeping the skin balanced without clogging pores. When combined with targeted ingredients like zinc oxide, it may also help reduce breakouts.

Biomedicines, 2025Drug Delivery, 2017

What does Glycerin do for acne-prone skin?

Glycerin helps keep acne-prone skin hydrated and calm without clogging pores or feeling heavy. It supports the skin barrier so it stays soft and smooth while handling everyday treatments.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2008International Journal of Toxicology, 2019

Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for acne-prone skin?

This treatment goes in the evening routine after cleansing and before moisturizing. Putting it in the evening helps provide extra safety around sun exposure, and it is generally safe for acne-prone skin because it contains soothing ingredients like Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract and lacks harsh substances.

Can I use this serum with retinol, and in what order?

Yes, you can use this treatment with retinol by applying the treatment first and following with your retinol. It helps keep your skin calm and is unlikely to cause irritation because it contains soothing ingredients like Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2019

How often should I use this serum?

You can use this treatment in the evening as part of your routine. It is generally well tolerated, helping to calm your skin and refine texture with ingredients like Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract and Evodia Rutaecarpa Fruit Extract.

Journal of Dermatological Science, 2006Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2019

Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for acne-prone skin?

Mary Kay Timewise Pore Minimizer is a great fit for acne-prone skin because it contains ingredients like Evodia Rutaecarpa Fruit Extract and Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract that help regulate oil and calm redness. It also features Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer to minimize pores and refine skin texture without clogging pores or causing breakouts.

Journal of Dermatological Science, 2006Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2019

Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.

What the research says

  • Topical application of 0.1% hyaluronic acid formulations of different molecular weights led to significant improvements in skin hydration and elasticity, with low-molecular-weight formulations also significantly reducing wrinkle depth in seventy-six female subjects compared to a vehicle control.

    Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2011
  • Topical application of hyaluronic acid in conjunction with free gingival graft significantly reduced donor site postoperative pain until day 7 compared to normal saline, with no significant differences in graft dimensions or patient satisfaction.

    Clinical Oral Investigations, 2022
  • Treatment with a hyaluronic acid-containing mouth rinse or topical gel led to significant lesion reduction, pain relief, and normalization of lesion color in adult patients with minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis, with the gel formulation showing an earlier healing onset at 3 days.

    BMC Oral Health, 2019
  • A single application of a moisturizing fluid containing hyaluronic acid 1%, glycerin 5%, and Centella asiatica stem cells extract significantly increased skin hydration by 29% and reduced transepidermal water loss at 24 hours compared to baseline and an untreated control site in twenty healthy women.

    Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
  • The emollient V0034CR significantly reduced TEWL compared to vehicle and vehicle plus glycerol, and significantly increased corneometry scores compared to vehicle and vehicle plus petrolatum in healthy volunteers with dry skin, demonstrating combined barrier function improvement from petrolatum and hydration improvement from glycerol.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020
  • Ten days of treatment with a cream containing 20% glycerin significantly increased skin hydration measured by corneometer values in 17 healthy volunteers compared to a placebo cream, but showed no influence on transepidermal water loss or skin sensitivity to an irritating surfactant.

    International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2001
  • A biomimetic mixture of Evodia rutaecarpa extract components significantly inhibited UVB-induced PGE2 release in cultured keratinocytes and reduced methyl nicotinate-induced erythema in human skin compared to bisabolol.

    Journal of Dermatological Science, 2006
  • Rutaecarpine significantly suppressed ultraviolet A-induced expression, protein levels, and gelatinolytic activities of MMP-2 and MMP-9 while decreasing reactive oxygen species generation in HaCaT human keratinocytes compared to irradiated cells without rutaecarpine.

    European Journal of Pharmacology, 2004
  • The purity of evodiamine and rutaecarpine does not significantly affect their transdermal permeation through porcine skin, but lipophilic enhancers promote their transdermal rate while topical cream produces a dose-dependent analgesic effect in mice pain models.

    Fitoterapia, 2012
  • Topical green tea extract significantly improved clinical symptoms, tear breakup times, and meibomian gland health compared to standard treatment in patients with dry eye and Meibomian Gland Dysfunction.

    Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research, 2017
  • Topical low-dose green tea extract reduces UVB-induced p53 expression and apoptosis in human skin keratinocytes compared to placebo.

    Experimental Dermatology, 2009
  • An anti-acne hydrogel containing Aloe barbadensis, Garcinia mangostana, and Camellia sinensis extracts showed superior antiacne and antiblotch activities compared to 1% clindamycin gel in sixty subjects with mild-moderate acne.

    Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2019

Ingredients

Water, Glycerin, Cyclopentasiloxane, Polysilicone-11, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Dipropylene Glycol, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Betaine, Bis-Peg Ppg-16 16 Dimethicone, Sodium Hyaluronate, Evodia Rutaecarpa Fruit Extract, Albizia Julibrissin Bark Extract, Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, Sea Whip Extract, Hydrolyzed Soy Flour, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Hydroxyethylacrylate Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Mica, Isohexadecane, Ceteareth-33, Titanium Dioxide, Decylene Glycol, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Xanthan Gum, Dimethicone, Polysorbate 50, Butylene Glycol, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Sorbitan Isostearate, Triethyl Citrate, Lavandula Angustifolia Stem Extract Flower Leaf Lavender Stem Extract Flower Leaf, Propanediol, Cyclohexasiloxane, Sodium Benzoate, Elettaria Cardamomum Seed Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract Raspberry Fruit Extract, 2-Hexanediol, Disodium Edta, Phenoxyethanol, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate

Behind this fit score

Lovi calculates every fit score from the full ingredient list with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.

How does it fit your skin?

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