SUNGBOON EDITOR Green Tomato Pore Lifting Serum Plain 30ml — Green Tomato Extract (200ppm) + Niacinamide + 5x Hyaluronic Acid | K-Beauty Pore Lifting

5.38 million bottles sold in Korea — and Korean women don't repurchase serums out of habit. They do it because the pores actually changed.

SUNGBOON EDITOR's Green Tomato Pore Lifting Serum Plain is a zero-irritation pore treatment built around a framework most Western pore products skip entirely: the fact that not all pores work the same way. Three distinct types — horizontal pores (widened from elasticity loss), vertical pores (deepening into lines), and melanin pores (visibly darkened by pigment buildup) — require different mechanisms to treat. This formula targets all three simultaneously, backed by a clinical irritation score of 0.00 on 30 adult test subjects. Formulated by Olive International, this is the same brand behind 5.38 million repurchases in Korea.

What's Inside — and Why It's There

Green Tomato Extract (200ppm) — Double-Filtered from Young Green Tomatoes

Unlike ripe red tomatoes, young green tomatoes are harvested at peak astringent-compound concentration and put through two rounds of filtration to extract the densest possible active yield. The result is a highly concentrated botanical that triggers skin's own firming response at the pore wall — not just temporarily blurring the surface. At 200ppm, this isn't a trace-level ingredient added for label appeal. It's the core of the formula.

Niacinamide (Vitamin B3)

Niacinamide does three things pore-focused skin actually needs: it regulates sebum production at the follicle level (less oil = less pore stretching), it inhibits melanin transfer to reduce the dark pigment that makes pores look wider than they are, and it reinforces the skin's lipid barrier so the pore wall is structurally supported over time. The brightening effect on melanin pores typically becomes visible in 4–6 weeks of consistent daily use.

5x Hyaluronic Acid System + Trehalose (Triple Moisture Lock)

Five molecular weights of hyaluronic acid work at different depths simultaneously — high-molecular HA locks in surface moisture, low-molecular HA penetrates into the upper dermis, hydrolyzed HA works on a cellular level. Trehalose adds a moisture-storage layer, helping skin hold hydration longer between applications. The "high-moisture serum" texture is the result: it feels rich on application but absorbs without residue or stickiness.

4x CICA Complex (Neem Leaf, Neem Flower, Ivy Gourd, Pumpkin)

Four plant-derived calming actives — neem leaf extract, neem flower extract, ivy gourd extract, and pumpkin powder — create what the formula calls a "4x CICA Complex" specifically for sensitive pores. Each brings its own anti-inflammatory and barrier-supporting action. The combined effect: pores that are irritated, enlarged from clogging, or reactive to environment stay calmer and less visibly inflamed with regular use.

Adenosine

A naturally occurring molecule recognized by Korea's Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) for anti-wrinkle activity. In this serum, adenosine contributes to the vertical pore care mechanism — targeting the fine-line formation that happens when vertical pores deepen and connect. Firmer skin around the pore opening means pores maintain their shape instead of elongating over time.

Raspberry Ketone (Anti-Sebum Care)

A compound derived from red raspberries, raspberry ketone has demonstrated activity in regulating oil production and controlling sebum at the surface. In the context of this formula, it reinforces the anti-sebum action of niacinamide — addressing excess oil from two different directions to reduce the stretch-and-clog cycle that makes pores appear larger.

What You'll Actually Notice

• Pores appear visibly tighter and less shadowed after 3–4 weeks of daily use
• Sebum production becomes more controlled — especially in the T-zone — reducing midday shine
• Skin texture smooths out: the uneven "bumpy" surface around pores levels off
• Blackhead-prone areas show less congestion with consistent use over 4–6 weeks
• Skin feels genuinely bouncy (the "jjukjjuk" texture Korean skincare talks about) without stickiness
• Under makeup, skin looks blurred and refined — not like you're wearing a filter, just better skin
• Even sensitive skin tolerates daily use without tightness or irritation (clinical score: 0.00)

How to Use

After cleansing and your toner step, dispense a small amount (about the size of half a pea) and press gently into skin with your fingertips — no rubbing, no dragging. Let it absorb for 20–30 seconds before moving to moisturizer.

Use AM and PM. In the morning, follow with moisturizer and SPF — the serum layers cleanly under both without pilling. At night, it works well under heavier creams or sleeping masks. The green tomato and niacinamide combination is stable enough for daily use without sensitizing your skin over time.

Tip: For best pore results, pair with the SUNGBOON EDITOR Green Tomato Toner Pads or Ampoule if you want to build the full pore-care routine the brand recommends.

Who This Is For

This serum is for the person whose pores are the thing they're most self-conscious about in their skin — not the person who's just curious. Specifically:

The person whose pores look visibly enlarged in photos, or whose foundation settles into them by midday. The one who has tried niacinamide serums before but didn't feel like they were getting a pore-targeted formula. Someone with oily or combo skin that's prone to blackheads and congestion, but also sensitive enough that strong acid exfoliants or retinol cause more problems than they solve.

If you've been in the "my pores are large and nothing really shrinks them" camp — this is what Korean women with the same concern actually use. 5.38 million of them.

FAQ

Q: What is the best Korean serum for minimizing large pores?
For visibly enlarged pores, the most effective Korean serums combine niacinamide (sebum regulation and melanin reduction), plant-based astringents like green tomato extract (pore wall firming), and a CICA-type complex for calming inflamed pore walls. SUNGBOON EDITOR's Green Tomato Pore Lifting Serum covers all three mechanisms in one formula. Results are typically visible within 3–4 weeks of daily AM/PM use.

Q: What does niacinamide actually do for pores — does it shrink them?
Niacinamide doesn't physically shrink pore size — nothing permanently does. What it does is regulate sebum production (less oil means less pore-stretching), reduce melanin buildup around pore openings (making them appear less dark and prominent), and strengthen the skin barrier around each pore so it holds its shape better. The visible result over 4–6 weeks is pores that look smaller — because they're less stretched, less clogged, and less shadowed.

Q: What is green tomato extract in skincare and what does it do?
Green tomato extract is derived from unripe tomatoes at peak astringent-compound concentration — before they ripen and those compounds break down. In skincare, it acts as a botanical astringent and firming agent, helping to tighten the skin structure around pore openings. Unlike synthetic pore-minimizers, green tomato extract works by triggering skin's own firming response rather than just temporarily filling the pore surface. At 200ppm in this formula, it's a working dose, not a label claim.

Q: Is there a Korean pore serum that works for sensitive skin?
Yes — this is one of the few. The SUNGBOON EDITOR Green Tomato Serum Plain was dermatologically tested with a skin reaction score of 0.00 across 30 adult test subjects, meaning zero irritation response. The formula is fragrance-adjusted and built around calming actives (4x CICA complex, panthenol, allantoin) that specifically address "sensitive pores" — pores that become inflamed and more visible when skin is reactive.

Q: What is the difference between horizontal pores and vertical pores?
Horizontal pores are pores that have widened sideways — typically caused by skin losing elasticity with age or UV damage, causing the pore walls to collapse outward. Vertical pores are pores that have elongated downward, often developing into the fine lines and surface creases that become wrinkles. Both are addressed by firming-focused actives (green tomato extract, adenosine), but vertical pores specifically benefit from anti-wrinkle actives like adenosine that prevent the deepening process.

Q: Can I use a pore-minimizing serum every day without irritating my skin?
Yes, if the formula is built for it. This serum has a clinical irritation rating of 0.00 — tested on 30 adults including sensitive skin types — and is designed for AM/PM daily use. The key is using the right amount (a half-pea-sized amount is enough for the whole face) and applying by pressing rather than rubbing. If you're new to niacinamide, start with once daily in the evening for the first week before moving to twice daily.

Q: What is CICA complex in K-beauty and what does it do?
CICA originally refers to Centella Asiatica, a plant extract historically used in wound healing and skin-calming treatments. In K-beauty, "CICA complex" has expanded to describe any combination of calming botanical actives that reduce inflammation, support barrier repair, and soothe reactive skin. In this serum, the 4x CICA Complex uses neem leaf, neem flower, ivy gourd, and pumpkin — each with anti-inflammatory properties — specifically formulated for "sensitive pores" that become enlarged and irritated easily.

Q: How long does a Korean pore serum take to visibly reduce pores?
Realistic timeline: sebum control and surface-level texture improvement typically appear within 1–2 weeks. Visible pore reduction — the kind you notice in photos or under lighting — usually takes 3–4 weeks of consistent AM/PM use. Melanin pore darkening (the discoloration that makes pores look wider) improves more slowly, typically 4–8 weeks, as niacinamide works by gradually reducing melanin transfer. Consistency matters more than quantity — once daily every day outperforms twice daily three days a week.

Q: What is hyaluronic acid and why do K-beauty serums use multiple types?
Hyaluronic acid is a molecule naturally found in skin that holds water — up to 1,000x its own weight. Different molecular sizes penetrate to different depths: high-molecular HA stays at the surface creating a moisture-sealing film, while low-molecular and hydrolyzed forms penetrate into the dermis to hydrate from within. Using 5 different weights simultaneously means every layer of skin gets hydrated at once — rather than just surface moisturization. The result is the kind of "plump" skin that makes pores appear less defined.

Product Details

HOLYKOLY is an independent reseller. Products are sourced directly from Korean retail channels and parallel-imported to the US market. HOLYKOLY is not directly affiliated with, authorized by, or officially partnered with SUNGBOON EDITOR or Olive International Co., Ltd. Product formulas may be updated by the manufacturer without notice.