Shoppers Love This $10 “Glass Skin” Serum That Shrinks “Large, Stretched Pores”

Glass skin — aka, skin that’s seemingly poreless and impossibly smooth — has proven, in my experience, to be an elusive goal. Plus, it’s an expensive target to chase; I’ve yet to chat with an expert who hasn’t rattled off a laundry list of products in response to asking what exactly I’d need to use to achieve such a skin-state.

The good news? There’s one ingredient that can help kick-start your journey to microscopic pores, ample hydration, and the absence of visible hyperpigmentation: niacinamide. The dermatologist-loved B vitamin — which purifies pores, soothes even the driest skin, and visibly reduces the appearance of dark marks — has created quite a buzz over the past few years, perhaps in light of how it ticks all of the aforementioned boxes. Luckily, countless products contain the vitamin these days — including a shockingly cost-effective option from e.l.f., which rings in at a mere $10 at Amazon.

The e.l.f. Skin SuperRefine 10% Niacinamide Serum is a brightening, lightweight solution for anyone seeking skin a bit more akin to glass. Formulated for all skin types and intended for twice-daily use, the serum improves skin tone by fading the appearance of hyperpigmentation. Furthermore, it minimizes the appearance of large pores by quelling excess sebum — while squelching additional debris that contribute to visible pore prominence. 

Naturally, the serum stars niacinamide — at a whopping 10 percent concentration, to boot. In addition to its titular ingredient, e.l.f. 's serum contains yet another pore refiner, willow bark. Technically a member of the beta hydroxy acid family, willow bark is oil-soluble, and capable of regulating excess sebum. In doing so, the ingredient decreases the apparent prominence of pores, in turn, giving skin a smoother appearance.

Vitamin B5, also known as pantothenic acid, is also present in the formula. Ideal for all skin types, B5 softens and plumps skin thanks to its hydrating prowess. Moreover, it’s notably calming, making it a win for even the most sensitive skin. As for the role of pantothenic acid in the e.l.f. niacinamide serum, the ingredient may mitigate the potentially drying effects often associated with daily BHA use.

Shoppers across a spectrum of skin types swear that e.l.f.’s serum delivers on its glassify-ing, pore-refining promises. “I put this on in the daytime and it makes my makeup go on smoother,” said one shopper, who added it has improved their skin texture and whittled large pores. Similarly, a 51-year-old shopper noticed a “difference in [their skin’s] overall texture,” and a reduction in the appearance of “large, stretched pores.” As another fan noted, it helped them achieve “glass skin.” ​​ 

To glean the bounties of niacinamide — plus other ingredients known to smooth and soothe — shop the e.l.f. Skin SuperRefine 10% Niacinamide Serum at Amazon, where it’s $10. Personally, I’m thrilled by the prospect of a glass skin serum that costs less than the overpriced (and underwhelming) salad I ate for lunch today.