Benefit Cosmetics The POREfessional: Original Pore Minimizing Face Primer - 1.5oz - Ulta Beauty

I've been using this for a couple of years now and have LOVED it. Unfortunately, the recent formula change has rendered it completely useless for blurring pores. The new pore primer goes on super shiny and moist, more like the hydrating primer, and immediately melts into the skin without improving pore appearance or skin tone at all. The old formula accomplished both of those feats beautifully on its own. I'm glad I only bought a small size of it this time (happy accident) because I'm going to have to find a new product.

I have been purchasing and using this product for 7+ years. I have tried multiple other primer products throughout the years, and none ever performed as well as this product. However, the new packaging also came along with a new formulation, and it is AWFUL! Please go back to the old formula. I plan on returning the 3+ containers I bought on sale. I am super disappointed.

Did an experiment so see whether the claims about the new formula are justified. I'm a fairly new POREfessional user. About a month ago I bought the current version and genuinely liked it, especially as a standalone product. It blurred nicely and smoothed my skin. Under concealer it was okay, but it struggled more in folds and non-flat areas where product tends to collect and move around. After seeing so many comments that the older formula was better, I tracked down a fresh, well-stored tube of the original and tested them side by side. Out of the tube they look almost identical: same thick beige texture, same basic consistency. The differences show up once they're on the skin. The new formula dries to a finish that feels thinner and more slippery. It isn't runny, but once it sets there's extra slip, almost a slight oiliness. The blur is fine on bare skin, but under concealer it's easier for product to slide, bunch, or settle into lines, especially in areas with folds or a lot of movement. The original formula sets differently. It feels a bit creamier and more cushioned, with less slip once dry. The blur is stronger and more even. Concealer almost "locks" into it: it sits on top smoothly, needs fewer layers, and doesn't drag when I tap it in. On textured or high-tension areas it acts almost like a soft-focus filler. It also wears longer; my concealer keeps its shape instead of slowly breaking apart or sinking into creases. For bare-skin use, the current version is fine. But as a true primer under makeup, the older formula is clearly better: stronger blur, better grip, and better longevity, especially on tricky areas. I really wish Benefit would bring back the original POREfessional as a permanent "Classic" option, because the two formulas do not behave the same under makeup. So, yes . . . The complaints are backed by science.

All these bad reviews but I believe this product is great! Great under make up, makes you look seamlessly smooth and makes your make up last all day. Will deffo be restocking.

New packaging has clearly been reformulated and no longer is the smooth pore-blurring holy grail that I have loved for years. It is thinner, greasier feeling and definitely does not blur the same. Be aware it is new and NOT improved.

Iv been using this product for over 12 years. This new formula is awful. I wont be buying this again. Please bring back the old one

I just got a replacement for my Benefit Porefessional Face Primer from Sephora and extremely disappointed. In fact, I want my money back. Benefit not only changed it box, but also the quality of the primer. It is much thinner, lighted and doesn't cover pores anymore.

Ive been using this product for 12 years. Please bring back the old formula.

New packaging but also terrible new formula. Really thin and oily, face really shiny and greasy - looking after applying makeup, which now does not last. I have used this product for years; I will not be buying it again

I have used this product as part of my daily make up routine for years. It was the only product I have found that will blur my large pores and help my makeup last all day. My most recent purchase, (44ml tube) the packaging was different and so was the formula. The product didn't have the same feel to it; super thin and oily, not the same silky smooth texture as before, my pores were NOT blurred and my makeup had slid off my face before lunchtime. BENEFIT PLEASE REVERT BACK TO YOUR ORIGINAL FORMULA! I have not found anything nearly as good and this new formula is as bad as the rest of the products I have tried 🙁

Ugh why

The new formula is clearly different and not in a positive way. Have to find a new product now.

What did you do?? I have been using the. POREfessional Primer for years and then one day.... you not only changed the package, but you did something to the formula! It is absolutely awful! It's sticky and gunky and doesn't go on smoothly like the previous formula did. For those of us that were dedicated to this product it's pretty devastating. We obviously used it because we have large pores and this was the only thing we could find to give us confidence and did a beautiful job minimizing the pores. I didn't even apply foundation over this product. I put it on every morning and walked out of the house with confidence. Please please please fix whatever it is that you changed and bring it back the previous. POREfessional!!!!

The new packaging must mean new formula because this is completely different than the original formula. The new formula is thinner and oily. It doesn't fill in my pores and it would take 3 applications (if it stayed on my face after applying another layer) to be the thickness of the old formula. Don't waste your money. Save it until they switch back to the original formula after they receive enough complaints and their sales drop.

I was excited to try this product, but I ended up disappointed. The tube is full of air pockets, so there's significantly less product than what the packaging suggests. It feels like poor design or cost-cutting, and for the price, I expected better. I won't be repurchasing unless this is improved. And I would not recommend this product to anyone!

I want to preface this by saying I've been using Benefit's Pore Primer probably for maybe 12 years plus. So long, I don't remember when I didn't use it. I purchased a new jumbo size tube in December 2025 in the new packaging. Immediately, something was off. A new tube used to always produce a tiny bit of clear oil before the product came out of the tube and this one didn't. On application to the face, it feels strange, like it is pilling and just not applying smoothly to the skin like it did before. Rather than it spreading easily across my face, it now feels slightly clumpy and more difficult to spread. I'm having to apply more for full coverage. One thing that is distinctly different is the smell. This product now smells heavily like plastic. At first I thought it was the new packaging, but I now realise it's the product itself giving off a highly chemical, plastic-y odour. This feels very unsettling when applying it to your skin. Finally, it no longer feels and looks as effective on its own as a smoothing and blurring product. When I apply foundation, it isn't terrible, but it certainly doesn't look as smoothly applied as it used to. I also feel like my make-up doesn't last like it used to, and the only product that has changed is this primer. I'm pretty devastated that Benefit have done this to such a holy grail product. I've relied on it forever in my make-up bag, and now I'm stuck trying to test other brands to find anything that behaves like the old formula did. I can see I'm not alone in the reviews, other people are describing the same experience with this new formula. If you've never used it, please stay far away. This is not the same quality as it once was. Benefit, please sort this out. Your empire was built on this wonderful product and you've managed to torpedo it. I realise this is probably the impact of US ingredient costs, but you have to find a way to recoup your old formula. I won't buy it again whilst this formula is still being sold.

DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY IF YOU'RE EXPECTING THE SAME QUALITY PRODUCTS THEY'VE HAD FOR YEARS! THIS IS JUNK!!

I have been using this product for years and just re ordered in the new packaging and it's not the same. Make up pills and foundation does not apply as seamlessly as before. I compared it to the old one and the consistency feels noticeably different. Not smooth on fingers or face. Waste of money.

So smoothing and blurring, lasts all day, and has a nice texture!

i have used many primers in the past but this us the best for my enlarged pores and lines.