Ultimately, pore strips aren't an effective long-term solution for blackheads and skin texture. But they are OK to use in moderation if you have an oily skin type or need a quick fix for clear-looking skin. "They are designed to draw out excess oil," says Dr. Garshick.
The OG pore-unclogging master (and possibly the most popular), Bioré strips have stood the test of time because they really do work. The brand claims its strips are twice as effective in just one use as other options out there, and they work to get rid of buildup, dirt, oil, makeup, and blackheads instantly.
Pore strips can damage more sensitive, thin skin and even pull out both skin and hair. That's why there's a warning within the instructions to only use nose strips about once a week. Overusing nose strips can make your skin actually look worse. Pore strips can be abrasive, causing skin irritation and turning red.
While pore strips are a fun and satisfying way to unclog your pores, the dermatologists we consulted are not convinced they're worth the possible damage they can cause to the skin. Stick with other, safer–albeit slightly less exciting–methods when deep cleaning your pores for better results.
Not only are nose strips bad for those with sensitive skin, but they can also worsen other skin conditions. Pore strips can exacerbate rosacea-prone skin, especially if they contain irritating ingredients such as alcohol and astringents. They can also aggravate extremely dry skin, eczema and psoriasis.
Apart from making your skin oilier by stripping too much natural oils, using pore strips can stretch your pores and these don't go back to normal. A stretched pore leads to more buildup and bigger blackheads.
What are pore strips and how do they work? Board-certified dermatologist Harold Lancer, MD, said pore strips aim to remove debris that accumulate within pores, which includes dead skin cells, oil, wax, mixed yeast and bacteria.
Moreover, all this pulling and tugging of your skin by the pore strips tends to make your skin wrinkle faster according to a few studies. That's not a surprise though since damaged skin ages faster than healthy skin.
Bioré Original Deep Cleansing Pore Strips
They can be used once a week to help remove dirt and oil.
After you carefully remove your nose strip, you'll want to complete your skin care routine with noncomedogenic products. This essentially just means the products won't clog your pores. Gently massage in a lightweight moisturizer.
Pore strips may prove beneficial in removing blackheads, but there is a high risk when these strips are used on pimples. Using pore strips on the pimple can lead to excessive breakout on the face and also leave you with an unhealthy skin condition.
Pore strips can't completely remove larger, deeper blackheads. And, unfortunately, they won't stop your blackheads from forming.
Once you have removed the strip, you might find some residue or even some blackheads which have been broken. The best way to remove them is to use a gentle scrub. Don't rub it hard on your skin and gently massage for 30 seconds to buff away the remaining stuff. Rinse with cold water as it helps to close the pores.
The adhesive substance in pore strips can further irritate your skin. It could even tear your skin and leave unsightly scars.
"It is typically just pulling out oil and sebum." Another reason why using them is so satisfying is that they can temporarily make your pores appear smaller cleaner, she says (plus you can actually see the gunk that comes out of your nose on the other side of the strip).
Use Baking Soda:
Make a baking soda solution and then dip the pore strip in it. Now, apply the baking soda solution on your nose and let the pore strip soak in the solution and then apply it on your nose. Let it rest and then remove it. These were some of the easy tricks to make your pore strip work more effectively.
Use an alpha or beta hydroxy acid cleanser
“My go-to treatment for blackheads is recommending a salicylic acid wash once a day,” says Dr. Ward. “There are even medicated face wipes that contain it.” If you want to try salicylic acid, start off by using a product that contains between 2 and 4%.
CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser
CeraVe SA Cleanser is an affordable, non-comedogenic cleanser that contains salicylic acid. According to Dr. Qazi, this ingredient is vital for blackhead-prone skin as it helps to exfoliate and remove impurities from the pores. "Depending on the concentration, it is safe for every skin type.
Next, the esthetician uses cotton- or tissue-wrapped fingers to apply gentle pressure to each blackhead or blemish. Some estheticians may also use a small metal tool called a comedone extractor to release the blackhead plug from the pore.
Stick it onto your nose and flatten out any wrinkles with your fingers. Wait for 10-15 minutes then remove the strip. Let the pore strip dry and then slowly remove the strip from top to bottom. This will extract the blackheads from your nose.
Nose pores are naturally larger than those that are located on other parts of your skin. This is because the sebaceous glands underneath them are larger, too. You're also more likely to have enlarged nose pores if you have oily skin. Enlarged nose pores are also genetic.