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[ DemythSkin Verdict ]

Medicube Zero Pore Pads 2.0

ExfoliantExfoliation

Efficacy

Strong

4.3 / 5.0

Safety

Irritant

2.8 / 5.0

System Verdict

High-strength but brutally fragranced acid pads that trade pore care for needless irritation risk. The formula has clinically relevant exfoliant levels (around 4.5% lactic acid plus ~0.45% salicylic acid) and decent humectant/soothing support, but heavy denatured alcohol high in the list and a cocktail of citrus, lavender, eucalyptus and rosemary essential oils drag efficacy down by increasing barrier stress and sensitivity rather than improving exfoliation results.

Active Ingredients Detected

S Tier: Gold StandardsHigh Clinical Proof | Skin-Transformative

Lactic AcidSalicylic Acid

A Tier: Good BasicsProven Results

PanthenolBetaineTrehaloseGlycerinAllantoinSodium HyaluronateBetaine SalicylateLactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract

B Tier: Supporting IngredientsPromising Ingredients

Glycereth-26Centella Asiatica Extract

C Tier: Marketing IdolsHype | Limited or Weak Data

Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Fruit ExtractCitrus Aurantifolia (Lime) Fruit ExtractPyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit ExtractSalix Alba (Willow) Bark ExtractOriganum Vulgare Leaf ExtractChamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf ExtractScutellaria Baicalensis Root ExtractPortulaca Oleracea ExtractOenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose) Flower ExtractPinus Palustris Leaf ExtractUlmus Davidiana Root ExtractPueraria Lobata Root Extract

D Tier: Potential IrritantsBe Cautious

Alcohol Denat.Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel OilCitrus Limon (Lemon) Peel OilCitrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Peel OilCitrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit OilRosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf OilEucalyptus Globulus Leaf OilLavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) OilCitrus Limon (Lemon) Fruit ExtractCitrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Fruit ExtractCinnamomum Cassia Bark ExtractLimonene

What Each Ingredient Does

Water: Solvent base
Methylpropanediol: Solvent, penetration enhancer
Tromethamine: pH adjuster / buffering agent
Lactic Acid: AHA exfoliant for texture and tone
Alcohol Denat.: Solvent, penetration enhancer, potential irritant
1,2-Hexanediol: Solvent, preservative booster
Panthenol: Humectant, soothing agent
Glycereth-26: Humectant, helps hydration
Salicylic Acid: BHA exfoliant, pore-clearing
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer: Viscosity control, texture stabilizer
Betaine: Osmolyte humectant, moisturising
Trehalose: Humectant, water-binding sugar
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate: Emulsifier, mild surfactant
Ethylhexylglycerin: Preservative booster, humectant
Glycerin: Core humectant for hydration
Allantoin: Soothing, skin-conditioning
Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate: Emulsifier, mild surfactant
Disodium EDTA: Chelating agent, stabilizes formula
Butylene Glycol: Humectant and solvent
Sodium Hyaluronate: Hyaluronic acid salt, hydration
Betaine Salicylate: Gentler BHA derivative, exfoliant
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Oil: Fragrant essential oil, potential irritant
Citrus Limon (Lemon) Peel Oil: Fragrant essential oil, potential irritant
Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Peel Oil: Fragrant essential oil, potential irritant

Full Ingredient List (INCI)

Water, Methylpropanediol, Tromethamine, Lactic Acid, Alcohol Denat., 1,2-Hexanediol, Panthenol, Glycereth-26, Salicylic Acid, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer, Betaine, Trehalose, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glycerin, Allantoin, Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate, Disodium EDTA, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Betaine Salicylate, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Oil, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Peel Oil, Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantifolia (Lime) Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Fruit Extract, Ethyl Hexanediol, 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, Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose) Flower Extract, Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Limonene

Frequently Asked

Is Medicube Zero Pore Pads 2.0 worth it?

Medicube Zero Pore Pads 2.0 scores 4.3 out of 5.0 for efficacy (Strong) and 2.8 out of 5.0 for safety (Irritant) on DemythSkin's independent ingredient analysis. High-strength but brutally fragranced acid pads that trade pore care for needless irritation risk. The formula has clinically relevant exfoliant levels (around 4.5% lactic acid plus ~0.45% salicylic acid) and decent hume

What are the key active ingredients in Medicube Zero Pore Pads 2.0?

Medicube Zero Pore Pads 2.0 contains these gold-standard actives with strong clinical evidence: Lactic Acid, Salicylic Acid.

Does Medicube Zero Pore Pads 2.0 contain fragrance or known irritants?

DemythSkin flags these ingredients in Medicube Zero Pore Pads 2.0 as potential irritants: Alcohol Denat., Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Oil, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Peel Oil, Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Fruit Extract, Cinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract, Limonene.

How is Medicube Zero Pore Pads 2.0 scored?

DemythSkin grades every product on two independent axes: efficacy (whether the ingredients have clinical evidence of working) and safety (irritation and sensitisation risk). Ingredients are classified S through D against a database of over 3,000 compounds. No brand pays for a score.

Analyze on DemythSkin →

Analysis last updated: 2026-07-20. DemythSkin is an independent ingredient analyzer. Scores are computed by a deterministic rubric from published clinical evidence — no brand pays for a score.