Maybelline Baby Skin Pore Eraser Review & Swatches

Maybelline Baby Skin Pore Eraser has finally hit the US shores! This is probably old news for you if you live in Asia but for me I am more than excited to be using this product! Let’s find out how it performs and whether or not it’s worth the wait! :)

First off, I know, I know…. the packaging looks almost identical to the famous Benefit POREfessional! Intentional or not, one could easily be mistaken that they are the same product. ;) The size of the Maybelline Baby Skin’s tube is a little shorter, though. It is a basic squeeze tube with a small nozzle which makes it hygienic and travel-friendly. I have to admit I really like the cute packaging here! The American version reads “Instant Pore Eraser” on the tube as opposed to just “Pore Eraser” for the Asian version. Wonder why that is. For all I know, it’s the exact same product.

But the word “instant” rings true for the Baby Skin Pore Eraser! As soon as I put it on my face, my pores are instantly minimized! Not exactly the same way Becca Ever-Matte Poreless Priming Perfector does (that one is so extreme, it’s like everything is sucked out of the pores instead of filling them, and it should be named Pore Tightener instead of Primer!), this one feels much more gentle.

In a nutshell, it’s a basic face primer that is loaded with silicone, think Tarte Clean Slate Poreless 12-Hr Perfecting Primer or Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer or even Laura Mercier Secret Finish Primer and you are pretty close. It does not feel anything like Benefit POREfessional, however, and I don’t understand why people are comparing it to Benefit’s. To me, Benefit POREfessional feels like a cream and leaves a powdery matte finish while Maybelline Baby Skin is a gel and leaves a velvety finish. But if we are talking about the end result, then yes, all these primers are comparable in terms of how they manage to reduce the appearance of pores and give the skin a softer and smoother feel.

Maybelline Baby Skin Pore Eraser has a transparent gel-like consistency. It is non-sticky, non-greasy, and scent-free. The light gel spreads and blends with ease upon contact with the skin and leaves a soft and rather velvety finish than complete matte. Does it completely erase pores? Not at all. I’d rather say it helps “blur” them and make them look much less noticeable. Does it make the skin feel soft and smooth? Oh yes, definitely! :)

I tend to use the smallest amount only on certain areas on my face where my pores are visible, though – mostly on the inner cheeks and the sides of my nose. I’m acne-prone so I try to avoid applying any kind of silicone-heavy product all over my face on a daily basis as they seem to clog pores and cause me breakouts.

When I follow with my usual BB cream/foundation, I find that they glide on much better and my makeup certainly looks fresh throughout the day. It does control oil reasonably well, too. The oil still seeps through but not to the point that my face becomes an oily mess – just enough to give it a dewy look. This is based on my combination skin where I get a little oily on the T-zone area but if you have super oily skin to start with, I suspect you will need to blot at some point.

Overall, I think it’s a pretty decent primer. It does a good job at covering pores, smoothing out skin and keeping makeup looking fresh and may I say at a drugstore price. It may not completely keep your face matte and shine-free all day but what does, really? :) If you are a big fan of some of the high-end face primers I mentioned above, you may want to check this one out as an alternative since it can save you quite a bit of money especially if you are using primer on a daily basis.

Let me know if you have tried and whether or not it’s working out for you. I always want to hear different opinions especially if you have different skin types and concerns. :)

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