Is Medicube Zero Pore Pad worth it?

Mostly no. Only 3 of the 8 gurus who reviewed it approve, which leaves it a Guru Score of 54%.

What is Medicube Zero Pore Pad's Guru Score?

Medicube Zero Pore Pad holds a Guru Score of 54%. That is our read on how warmly the experts talk about it, based on the verdicts of 8 expert reviewers we have collected.

Who is Medicube Zero Pore Pad best for?

Medicube Zero Pore Pad is generally suited to oily skin and acne-prone skin.

Medicube

Medicube Zero Pore Pad.

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About this product

Korean exfoliating toner pads with lactic acid designed to cleanse pores and improve skin texture.

Full ingredients

Water, Methylpropanediol,Methylpropanediol, Tromethamine, Lactic Acid, Ethanol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose) Flower Extract, Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Salicylic Acid, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantifolia (Lime) Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Fruit Extract, Malus Domestica Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Fruit Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Salix Alba (Willow) Bark Extract, Origanum Vulgare Leaf Extract, Chamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract, Lactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract, Cinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Betaine Salicylate, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Oil, Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Peel Oil, Betaine, Allantoin, Trehalose, Glycereth-26

Guru Score

54%

Nay

8 experts · Strong agreement

What the gurus are saying

These pads divide experts sharply. Some praise their texture-smoothing power and convenience for makeup prep, but most gurus flag serious concerns: the formula combines drying alcohol, lactic acid, and essential oils without balancing hydration, making them risky for sensitive or acne-prone skin. One expert noted a recent batch contamination with Sudan red, a known carcinogen. Those who do use them suggest limiting use to once or twice weekly on the T-zone, never daily, and steering clear if your skin is reactive.

Synthesized from 8 expert reviews · most recent take October 2026

What they liked

Cleans pores and helps with texture
Gentle enough for sensitive skin types
Pleasant texture and container experience

What they flagged

Can feel aggressive and cause redness
Pore-tightening claims not backed by ingredients

Best for

Oily skin Acne-prone skin

Type

Wipes & pads

Key actives

Hyaluronic acid Salicylic acid (BHA)AHA

Formula notes

Fragrance-freeContains drying alcohol

Where to buy

Ulta → Amazon → Google → iHerb →

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What the gurus are saying.

Every take we've logged from this product's reviews across YouTube. Click any row to watch the moment they said it.

All takes Yay takes Nay takes Mixed takes Hide sponsored

Allie Glines

829k subs

✕Yay

"These are incredible for makeup prep. I swear by these. I love them so much. They're one of my favorite Korean skincare products on Amazon."

All 2 takes from Allie Glines

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"I also love the Medicube Zero Pore Pads. These are kind of viral on TikTok, which is what made me try them, and they really are worth the hype. I love a good Korean toner pad container, the whole experience is just the best."

If I Replaced My Makeup on Amazon Today.. 📦

"These are incredible for makeup prep. I swear by these. I love them so much. They're one of my favorite Korean skincare products on Amazon."

No BS Beauty

89k subs

✕Nay

"But the bigger issue is this brand had batches recently in the late summer that according to official government research and publications contained an ingredient called Sudan red. Hong Kong Customs tested this product that was going to be sold to customers and it found one point five milligrams of Sudan red inside of it and Sudan red apparently is an extremely carcinogenic carcinogen. Not good for your skin, not good for topical, not good for anything."

All 2 takes from No BS Beauty

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"I have a feeling this product could probably do much more damage and irritation to skin, especially acne-prone skin, than it would be beneficial. The ingredients are very drying, and in addition to all of those essential oils which can be very irritating, they include denatured alcohol and then on top of an exfoliant. Lactic acid should be paired with another soothing ingredient or used in a routine with another soothing ingredient."

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Darnell Cox | 50+ Healthy Aging Expert

55k subs

✕Yay

"I got this as well. This is by Medicube Zero Pore Pad. Amazing."

AliceintheRabbitHole

59k subs

✕Nay

"I love Medicube's devices, but their skincare has been very hit or miss for me, and this one was a miss. These toner pads contain essential oils, so big heads up if you're a sensitive skin type. A lot of Korean products are fragrance free, but this is not one of them."

Dr. Vanita Rattan

1.23M subs

✕Nay

"Doesn't moisturize the skin. This is a really terrible product. And I feel like because of the alcohol, you get a sensation of tightening happening as water evaporates from the skin. And that's what makes you think it's tightening your pores. So, it's a bit of a con to be honest. It's not tightening the pores. There's no salicylic acid in this, which is what helps with pore tightening. There's no collagen boosters in here, which is what would help with pore tightening."

Mad About Skin

732k subs

✕Nay

"These are gentle, but I don't feel that we really need all these pads in our life. I think it's a little bit much. I think the marketing on here is a bit suspect because this isn't going to give you zero pores. It might help at the margins. I just don't think it's worth the price point. If you're looking for an exfoliating pad and you set your expectations right, this is okay, but it's nothing groundbreaking if you ask me."

CYoung

95k subs

✕Nay

"Don't use it every day, use it once or twice a week. Honestly this doesn't do anything for me, I would rather use a serum that actually helps my pores. People expect too much from a toner pad but it doesn't actually minimize your pores, it just helps a little bit. If you have oily or combo skin you can try it out, but it's not my style."

All 2 takes from CYoung

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"As soon as it touches your skin you feel it cooling, one side is embossed and the other is soft. When I wiped it on my nose I could feel my pores getting clean, but when I wiped again it turned red, it's effective but it's too aggressive, it feels like my skin is being shaved off. Don't use it too often, only use it when your t-zone area is rough, and if you have sensitive skin just put it on your nose and wipe it off gently."

Doctorly

3.59M subs

✕Yay

"My favorite product is [...] the Zero Pore Pads, one of their best sellers, specifically the version for sensitive skin. [...] It cleans out your pores, helps with exfoliation, helps with texture, but it plays well with sensitive skin, so it's much more generally recommended and easy to incorporate into a skincare routine. [...] I use it after shaving, about twice a week."

What the evidence says.

Independent of what the gurus think, this is what the published research supports about the main active ingredients here.

Salicylic acid

Salicylic acid dissolves in oil, so it can get into a pore rather than just working on the surface. That is why it has long-standing evidence for blackheads and milder acne.

Source: DermNet

Alpha hydroxy acids

Alpha hydroxy acids loosen the bonds holding dead cells at the surface. The evidence supports smoother texture and more even tone over time, and they can leave skin more sensitive to sun.

Source: NIH, National Library of Medicine

Humectants and emollients

Ingredients like these draw water into the surface layers and slow how fast it leaves. The evidence is for comfort, softness and hydration rather than for changing the structure of the skin.

Source: DermNet