Dr. Althea Pore Refresh Grinding Cleansing Balm
By Nur → Last verified 11/3/2026
Price checked 11/3/2026
Verified 2026-11-03 on YesStyle: $18.90. Prices change often, so confirm on the retailer's page.
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What we found
Based on how this product compares to others in the cleansers category, cross-referenced against retailer listings and market data.
Strengths
- + Fragrance-free and essential-oil-free — the pore-care grinder balm for readers who cannot use fragranced balms
- + Grinder dispenses a shaved portion each time, so fingers never touch the product
- + Green tea extract and a guaiazulene derivative give the formula a real sebum-care angle, not just a chassis
- + INCI published on Olive Young US's own product page and matched by two databases
- + No tightness pattern across a ~780-review YesStyle base, and a 4.8 rating at Olive Young US
Worth knowing
- - Premium per-mL price ($0.458/mL at Olive Young US) in a small 50 mL tub — roughly 4–8 weeks of daily use
- - There is no exfoliant acid in the formula, so pore care here means oil massage, not acid exfoliation
- - The brand's "99% pore cleanliness" figure names no testing institution and is not something we can stand behind
- - Evidence sits exactly on the floor — no finished-product test with a named methodology
Key ingredients
These are the ingredients Dr. Althea highlights for this product, cross-checked against general dermatological and cosmetic-chemistry sources, not a full INCI list.
Fragrance: confirmed fragrance-free.
| Ingredient | What it is | What it does for skin |
|---|---|---|
| Green tea leaf extract | An extract of green tea (Camellia sinensis) leaves, rich in polyphenols such as EGCG. | Used as an antioxidant and soothing conditioning ingredient. |
| Rice bran oil | An oil pressed from rice bran, rich in antioxidants and fatty acids. | Functions as an emollient and mild antioxidant, commonly used in cleansing oils. |
| Jojoba seed oil | An oil from jojoba seeds, structurally similar to skin's own natural oils (sebum). | A well-established, lightweight emollient that moisturizes without feeling greasy, suitable for most skin types including oily skin. |
| Sodium guaiazulene sulfonate | A specific active or extract in this formula. | Not yet independently verified against general dermatology sources. |
| Soybean oil | A plant-derived oil, common in cleansing oils and balms. | Functions primarily as a cleansing and emollient base, dissolving makeup and sunscreen without stripping the skin. |
What the brand says
Dr. Althea's own marketing claims, not our own findings.
- Fragrance-free grinding cleansing balm for pore and sebum care (first cleanse); hygienic grinder dispenses a fresh portion per use; no exfoliant acid in the formula
Research-Based
Our assessment comes from pricing, ingredients, and published information, not personal use, the same standard we apply across the site. This product hasn't been hands-on tested yet. See our Methodology for what that distinction means.
Price history
Current price is the lowest we've recorded so far.
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Frequently asked
How much does Dr. Althea Pore Refresh Grinding Cleansing Balm cost per mL?
$0.38 per mL (currently $18.90 for 50 mL).
Has Dr. Althea Pore Refresh Grinding Cleansing Balm been hands-on tested?
Not yet. Our assessment for this product comes from pricing, ingredients, and published information, not personal use, the same standard we apply across the site. See our Methodology for what that distinction means.
What are the key ingredients in Dr. Althea Pore Refresh Grinding Cleansing Balm?
The ingredients Dr. Althea highlights for this product include Green tea leaf extract, Rice bran oil, Jojoba seed oil, Sodium guaiazulene sulfonate, Soybean oil.