We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: Pores are the powerhouse of your skin. They’re essential to our overall skin health; sitting at the base of hair follicles, these openings are key for emitting sweat and sebum, which serves as its built-in moisturizer. But depending on your skin type, they can be large and visible to the eye, lending skin an uneven texture. Not only that, but they can work a little too well, pumping out excess sebum — thus playing a key role in oily skin and contributing to excess shine and even breakouts.

So far, pore-blurring products have fallen short, relying on silicone (which can feel heavy and slick), leaving skin too matte, and not addressing the root cause of large, visible pores. That’s where the new Strawberry BHA Pore-Smooth Blur Drops™ comes in. Part skin-care treatment, part makeup primer, this multitasking formula is designed to blur skin instantly and refine pores over time without compromise. And, as the newest addition to the Strawberry family, it also helps to control excess oil production. Unlike Strawberry Smooth BHA+AHA Salicylic Serum, however — which is designed to tackle uneven texture and all kinds of breakouts — our new Blur Drops minimizes the look of pores while imparting a soft-focus satin glow, making it a great complement to the serum in your skincare routine.

With that in mind, here’s what you need to know about Strawberry BHA Pore-Smooth Blur Drops™ — and why there’s nothing else like it on the shelf.

What’s inside

Naturally, since it’s a new addition to the Strawberry lineup, you’ll find strawberry enzymes working alongside beta hydroxy acid, a.k.a. BHA. There’s a big reason we love strawberry: Not only is it brimming with antioxidants, such as vitamin C, but it’s also naturally rich in gentle acids that help decongest and brighten skin. Together, strawberry and encapsulated BHA work to absorb excess oil and smooth skin texture over time. BHA (which you might also recognize as salicylic acid) is also a winner because it’s one of the few, super-gentle exfoliating acids that’s also oil-soluble, meaning it can sink into pores and clear them from the inside out. With less debris to clog them — which stretches them out, giving them an enlarged look and making them more visible — the pores appear smaller over time.

Just as important to us is what’s not inside — namely, silicone. It’s hard to find a pore-blurring formula that doesn’t have silicone in it, which leaves little to no options for people who don’t love the greasy slip it leaves on skin. (Plus, since it serves as an occlusive, it could potentially exacerbate breakouts. Thanks, but no thanks.)

So, instead of silicone, Strawberry BHA Pore-Smooth Blur Drops use a unique combo of tapioca and rice, which actually encapsulate and absorb excess oil to keep shine at bay. As a result, the drops have been clinically shown to smooth uneven texture and reduce pore size in a snap — all without clogging pores. Plus, they create a smooth canvas for more seamless makeup application, giving Blur Drops their function as an effective makeup primer. Streaks? Never met her.

To round out this treatment, this dermatologist-tested formula also contains a one-two punch of oil-absorbing power: a plant-derived pore minimizer and strawberry leaf extract. Not only do they contribute to its pore-blurring power, but they also moisturize and soothe skin, leaving it comfortable and with a satin finish.

As always, sustainability is top of mind when we source our ingredients, which is why the strawberry enzymes and leaf extract use all parts of the fruit, thus minimizing waste. Plus, they’re cold-processed, which not only helps retain their inherent nutrient profile but also conserves energy and water. And our plant-derived pore minimizer is extracted via energy-saving methods, which help reduce carbon emissions.

How to use it

The beauty of Strawberry BHA Pore-Smooth Blur Drops is that there are a few ways to use it, depending on your skincare goals and preferences. (If you’re new to exfoliating acids, do a patch-test first and start slowly, using it every two days, before building up your frequency to avoid any irritation.) 

As a face serum

If you want to use it as a skincare treatment during the day or at night, use it as you would any other face serum — that is, after toner and before moisturizer.

As a makeup must-have

If you want that soft-focus, satin glow during the daytime, layer it as the last step of your skincare routine and before applying your foundation. If you’re using it as a pore-blurring makeup primer during the daytime, apply it after your moisturizer and sunscreen (which is a must!). Smooth a pea-sized amount onto skin and wait until it’s fully absorbed; then, apply your foundation. You can also mix in half a pea-sized amount with your foundation to extend its wear and give it a satin finish.

Also worth keeping in mind: You shouldn’t use it in the same routine as benzoyl peroxide, as the combo of BHA and benzoyl peroxide can be too drying for most. However, you definitely can (and should) pair it with a retinol, so long as your skin can tolerate it! BHA and retinol actually have a synergistic effect when used together, working to smooth and decongest skin over time. (If you tend to have dry or more sensitive skin, consider using your Blur Drops in the daytime and retinol in the evening.)

Whether you use it day, night, or both, you’re guaranteed to see results. How are we so sure? When used as directed by 35 subjects for two weeks, it was clinically proven to reduce excess oil (based on instrumentation testing) and reduce both shine and visible pores (based on expert clinical grader evaluation).

And, after two weeks of use, a clinical study found that*:

• 100% agreed this minimized the appearance of pores
• 97% agreed this immediately blurred pores
• 97% agreed skin immediately had a soft matte finish without dryness
• 97% agreed the T-zone (forehead, nose, and chin) looked less oily

*Based on consumer perception on 35 subjects when used as directed

We couldn’t be more excited to introduce this versatile addition to the Strawberry family. (Plus, it makes a great counterpart to Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dew Drops.) We hope you love Strawberry BHA Pore-Smooth Blur Drops as much as we do. Got questions? Just leave a comment below and we’ll get back to you!

Learn more about keeping pores clear:

• How to Treat Facial Pores According to Your Skin Type
• Why You Need a Gentle Approach for Clogged Pores
• How to Moisturize Oily Skin