Dr. Jennifer Haley, a dermatologist who is board-certified, states, “Remember that using a pore strip won’t solve your blackhead problem. You’ll remove blackheads for the time being, but they’ll come back. It’s better to start a skincare regime that stops them from happening in the first place. This should include using a gentle cleanser as part of your daily routine.” Pore strips aren’t an effective long-term solution if you are dealing with blackheads frequently, but they can surely help you get rid of them quickly. We’ve compiled a list of the top 10 pore strips in the industry right now to help you determine which ones can give you value for your money. Take a look at them below.
The 10 Best Pore Strips for Removing Blackheads
1. Best Hypoallergenic:Bioré Nose+ Face Deep Cleansing Pore Strips
4.2 Image: Biore BUY ON AMAZON | $9.87
These blackhead removal strips work like magnets and clear all the dirt and dead cells clogging your pores in one go. The strips are developed with patented C-bond technology that helps them bind to impurities and deeply cleanse the area, so you can see visible results in just one use.
Dr. Mariel Bird, FAAD and a Howland-based dermatologist, says, “When a pore becomes clogged with dead skin cells and oil, the contents get oxidized by the air and create a blackhead. When used properly, Bioré Deep Cleansing Pore Strips can clear clogged pores and make them appear smaller. Results are temporary, but they are safe to use weekly.”
Key Ingredients: Polyquaternium-37 and Witch hazel extract
Pros
Dermatologically tested Hypoallergenic Oil-free Vegan Cruelty-free
Cons None
2. Best In Budget:Livaclean Blackhead Strips
4 BUY ON AMAZON | $14.99
These blackhead removal strips by Livaclean remove the top layer of dead skin cells and blackheads while allowing the pores to breathe. Charcoal, the primary ingredient, acts as a magnet and draws out all the impurities from the pores. These strips perfectly fit the shape of your nose and remove all the gunk effortlessly.
Key Ingredients: Charcoal
Pros
Easy to use Pack of 60 strips Value for money
Cons None
3. Best For Enlarged Pores:Auslka Charcoal Deep Cleansing Pore Strips
3.9 BUY ON AMAZON | $11.99
These pore strips contain charcoal that removes deep-seated dirt, oil, and blackheads. They pull out dirt, help minimize the appearance of pores, and improve the skin’s overall appearance. You can use these oil-free strips 2-4 times a week to get the best results. Dr. Marie Jhin, a California-based dermatologist, says, “I like this product because it is suitable for all skin types.”
Key Ingredients: Charcoal
Pros
Oil-free Cruelty-free Nose-shaped cutout design Easy-to-use
Cons None
4. Best Natural Formula:Look At Me Nose Pore Strips
3.9 BUY ON AMAZON | $9.99
Try out the Look At Me Nose Pore Strips if you are looking to give your pores a really deep cleanse. The nano gel particles from the strips stick to the surface of every comedone, whitehead, and blackhead and extract them efficiently. The strips have active ingredients like witch hazel, allantoin, and charcoal to draw out impurities without irritating and drying the skin.
Key Ingredients: Witch hazel, Allantoin, and Charcoal
Pros
Safe for sensitive skin 100% natural Cruelty-free SLS/SLES-free Formaldehyde-free Phthalate-free Triclosan-free
Cons None
5. Best Dermatologist-Tested:MEDca Deep Cleansing Pore Strips
3.9 BUY ON AMAZON | $28.49
The MEDca Deep Cleansing Pore Strips come in a pack of 48 strips – 24 nose and 24 facial pore cleansing strips. They are enriched with aqua, a balanced amount of titanium dioxide, and other active ingredients. They work like magnets to pull out all the dirt and deep cleanse your pores without any damage or irritation.
Key Ingredients: Titanium dioxide
Pros
Hypoallergenic Suitable for sensitive skin Dermatologist-tested Value for money
Cons None
6. Best Multipurpose:Simplot 3-Step Tea Tree Kit
4 BUY ON AMAZON | $15.98
This 3-Step Tea Tree Kit by Simplot leaves pores clean and smooth by extracting all the blackheads efficiently. The three-step routine consists of a blackhead mask infused with witch hazel and sage leaf extract to loosen the pores and minimize sebum production, a nose pack enriched with lemon extract to remove all the dead skin cells and blackheads, and a pore tightening mask with aloe vera extract and green tea extract to soothe your pores.
Key Ingredients: Witch hazel, Sage leaf, Lemon, Aloe vera, and Green tea extracts
Pros
Easy to use Multipurpose Pleasant scent Suitable for all skin types
Cons None
7. Best For Sensitive Skin:Shills Deep Cleansing Pore Strips
3.8 BUY ON AMAZON | $15.99
The Shills Deep Cleansing Pore Strips show instant visible results by drawing out all the impurities and revealing a more youthful skin. It is a quick and easy solution to cleanse clogged pores and blackheads and eliminate the chances of acne and pimples. The pack includes 28 pore strips and works great on sensitive and oily skin.
Key Ingredients: Activated charcoal
Pros
Easy to use Safe for sensitive skin
Cons
Does not stick well
8. Best For All Skin Types:Yes To Tomatoes Clear Skin
4 BUY ON AMAZON | $4.59
Say goodbye to stubborn blackheads with the Yes To Tomatoes Clear Skin pore strips. This 2-step nose kit includes a cleanser and a nose strip. The cleanser is infused with tomato extract and salicylic acid to loosen the dirt in the skin pores. The single-use strip contains charcoal that efficiently extracts all the gunk and impurities to give you clear and smooth skin.
Key Ingredients: Tomato extracts, Charcoal, and Salicylic acid
Pros
Suitable for all skin types Budget-friendly
Cons None
9. Best With Witch Hazel:Jolvka Deep Cleansing Pore Strips
3.9 BUY ON AMAZON | $13.49
The Jolvka Deep Cleansing Pore Strips clear acne and blackheads by deep cleansing the pores. The strips are enriched with witch hazel that effectively helps keep your nose clear. The unique butterfly-shaped design perfectly contours the nose shape, removes gunk, makes the pores appear tight, and prevents future breakouts. The pack includes 30 strips.
Key Ingredients: Witch hazel
Pros
Butterfly-shaped Budget-friendly Pack of 30 strips
Cons
Unpleasant fragrance
10. Best Vegan:Pacifica Cosmic Vanish Pore Strips
4.1 BUY ON AMAZON | $6
Try the Pacifica Cosmic Vanish Pore Strips if you are looking for pore strips for your entire facial area. This product includes separate strips for your nose, chin, and forehead. The strips are enriched with tea tree oil, hemp seed oil, and witch hazel extract to control excess sebum, remove dirt from the pores, and prevent blackheads. If you have sensitive skin, do a patch test before using the product.
Key Ingredients: Tea tree oil, Hemp seed oil, and Witch hazel extract
Pros
Vegan Cruelty-free Phthalate-free Paraben-free Sulfate-free
Cons None All pore strips may appear similar and work in similar ways, but some may perform better than others. Choosing the best blackhead pore strips often boils down to certain factors discussed in the next section.
How To Choose Pore Strips To Remove Blackheads — Buying Guide
List Of Ingredients
Go through the label and check the ingredients. Pick the product that contains acne-fighting ingredients like activated charcoal, salicylic acid, tea tree oil, witch hazel, and allantoin. These ingredients can extract all the gunk and impurities from your entire T-zone. You can also go through the reviews of a particular product before purchasing it. If you have allergy-prone or sensitive skin, avoid buying pore strips that contain artificial fragrances and colorants.
Number Of Strips
Some products may come with 6-8 strips per pack, while others may contain 30-40 strips per pack. If you have acne-prone and oily skin and get blackheads frequently, you may want to go for the packs with more number of strips.
Variety
Pore strips can be used on the nose, forehead, and chin. Strips for each area are designed differently. Some brands may include a set for the entire face, while others may contain strips meant for a specific area. Choose a pack that suits your preferences. In the next section, find out how to best use these strips to get optimal results.
How To Use Pore Strips To Remove Blackheads
Dr. Jennifer Haley says, “Always wash your face with your regular cleanser. This removes oil and dirt buildup on your skin.”
Take some hot water in a bowl and steam your face for at least 10-20 minutes. The steam will help loosen up the dirt stuck in your pores. Apply the pore strip on the wet skin and press it well. Allow the pore strip to stay for 10-15 minutes. Hold both sides of the strip and gently peel it off from top to bottom. Once you are done, follow up with a toner and the rest of your skin care routine.
Note: Dr. Haley warns, “If you notice irritation or redness after using a pore strip, your skin may be too sensitive, and you might want to think about changing your skincare routine to stop blackheads from happening at all.”
Why Trust StyleCraze?
StyleCraze articles are backed by expert opinions and suggestions from certified professionals. The author, Oyendrila Kanjilal is a certified skin care coach and a big fan of pore strips. The list features some of her absolute favorites like the Bioré Nose+Face, Deep Cleansing Pore Strips and Look At Me Nose Pore Strips. Are pore strips safe? Yes. Pore strips are unlikely to damage your skin. Ensure to follow the instructions and avoid overusing the strips. If you are still unsure, you can do a patch test and check the list of ingredients. How do pore strips work? Pore strips have an adhesive that sticks to wet skin. It takes 10-15 minutes to dry, and after that, you can pull the strip off. As you pull, the adhesive takes out all the dirt and grime from the pores. Should you exfoliate before pore strips? Yes, exfoliate before using a pore strip to prevent further clogging of pores. Should I moisturize after pore strips? Yes, moisturization is necessary after using pore strips to prevent dryness. How often should I use pore strips? Using a pore strip once or twice a week is recommended for the best results. How do you close pores after pore strips? Rub some ice cubes or wash with cold water to close the pores after using pore strips. What happens if I apply pore strips to acne? Pores trips can help remove dirt and blackheads but applying them to acne can cause inflammation and aggravate your skin condition.
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