Benefit The POREfessional newness

Benefit have two über-specialities, so far as we’re concerned: brows and pores. They do other fab stuff, OF COURSE – but they’re in another league, when it comes to those two beauty focuses.

Over the years, many brow products and others from The POREfessional collection have impressed our Beauty Bible testers (oh, and us – but that doesn’t count when it comes to giving out ‘gongs’) – so it is genuinely Big News that six new skincare products have joined The POREfessional family.

For many readers we know, pores rank high on the beauty angst list. Contrary to myth, they don’t have the power to open and close; as the superfacialist Lydia Sarfati once said to us, moons ago, ‘They are not elevator doors.’ But they can have an open appearance, or alternatively be blocked by oxidised sebum, result in blackheads.

We’ll be open ourselves, here: the Beauty Bible team doesn’t actually suffer from pore problems, so while we’ve enjoyed using the products, we’re not the target market. Nonetheless, we want to share details of the range, because we’ve enjoyed using them from a sensorial point of view, and trust Benefit’s expertise, here – they are tried and tested in this field. So, here’s what has particularly piqued our interest.

Benefit The POREfessional Good Cleanup Foaming Cleanser. Gel-to-foam cleansers are a bit of a thing, but this is gentle enough for drier skins, giving a lovely fresh feeling that’s enhanced sensorially by the scent of yuzu and lemon extracts (which also work to clarify skin), and features soothing bisabolol. Lovely in the mornings when you’re feeling in need of a bit of zing.

Benefit The POREfessional Tight ‘n Toned. Very interesting, this – instead of using cotton pads to swipe on a toner, you give this a squirt and pat the foam into your face. It features AHA and PHA (poly hydroxy acid) exfoliators, to target the appearance of pores and ‘textural irregularities’ (um, we think that translates as ‘rough skin’). Perfectly comfortable to use, and – yes – brightening and smoothing, we’re finding. (A mini size is available, for trialling or for travel.

Benefit The POREfessional Smooth Sip Lightweight Pore Smoothing Moisturiser. We’re always looking for a ‘first moisturiser’ to recommend to young skins – and this is joining the list, a gentle gel-cream promising up to 12 hours of hydration, non-pore-blocking and altogether wonderfully gentle, light and softening. More mature skins – which aren’t in need of masses of nourishment – will benefit from the skintone-enhancing effects of niacinamide, an ingredient we’re always drawn to.

You’ll also find two masks: The POREfessional Deep Retreat Pore-Clearing Clay Mask, based around mineral-rich clays that work to clear pores and absorb excess oils, and an even quicker fix, Benefit The POREfessional Speedy Smooth Quick Smoothing Pore Mask, with hyaluronic acid and squalene to ensure that skin doesn’t feel tight or dry, after use. Benefit The POREfessional Get Unblocked Pore Clearing Cleansing Oil, however, may be the toughest call to sell to people worried about sebum and excess oil – but as we’ve long promoted, the best way to dissolve oil is… with oil, in this case a blend of jojoba, avocado, grape seed and plum kernel, which morphs into a light and gentle foam when you add water.

The range is also notable because it marks a shift towards greater sustainability, for Benefit’s packaging: outer packaging is generally FSC® Recycled-certified, made from 100% recycled materials, with the introduction aluminium tubes and bottles.

And with the redesign – well, was the problem of pores ever so sexy-looking…?

Click on any of the product names to find them online…

Benefit The POREfessional Good Cleanup Foaming Cleanser/£26 for 147ml

Benefit The POREfessional Mini Tight ‘n Toned/£18 for 60ml

Benefit The POREfessional Smooth Sip Lightweight Pore Smoothing Moisturiser/£35 for 50ml

Benefit The POREfessional Deep Retreat/£18 for 30ml

Benefit The POREfessional Speedy Smooth Quick Smoothing Pore Mask/£35 for 75g

Benefit The POREfessional Get Unblocked Pore Clearing Cleansing Oil/£32 for 175ml