Safe and satisfying.
Besides late-’90s nostalgia, one of the main draws of pore strips is that they’re just plain satisfying to use. Pore strips are small adhesive patches you stick on your nose, chin, or forehead. The idea is that when you pull them off, they take all the gunk with them. When used correctly, they can be super-helpful when dealing with blackheads.
Not all strips are created equal. We tested dozens of pore strips to see which ones actually declogged our pores without pain or redness. Here are the best pores strips that provided a pleasant peel-off experience
Best Overall
Hero Cosmetics Mighty Patch Nose
After trying several of today’s best-selling pore strips, Mighty Patch was a clear winner. This single-ingredient nose strip is made of nothing more than hydrocolloid (the stuff most often used to make pimple patches). When left on overnight (or for at least six hours), the soft, fluid-absorbing substance soaks up the gunk from your pores like a sponge.1
While the design is ultimately user-friendly, applying the patch called for a bit of focus due to the winged, contoured shape. Our only complaint was that it’s almost too tacky in that the ends kept sticking together and getting caught on our nails. And once you place it on your nose, it can’t be repositioned. Still, removal was virtually painless, and once we pulled the strip off, our nose was gunk-free and oh-so-smooth. There was some minor redness shortly afterward, but our skin wasn’t irritated.
Best Budget
Starface Lift Off Pore Strips
Starface Lift-Off Pore Strips offer the most bang for your buck. You’ll get a pack of eight for less than $10, and the patches hold their own against pricier options. The curved design is comfortable, though our tester said you can feel a tension between your skin and the strip when you peel it off. While it didn’t clear every last pore, there were a substantial amount of blackheads on the back of the strip, as well as some dry skin. Our tester noticed some blotchiness, but thanks to a soothing blend of witch hazel and aloe vera, it didn’t cause any irritation.
Best Splurge
Peace Out Pores Oil-Absorbing Nose Strips
Peace Out Pores is on the pricier side for blackhead strips, but if you’re willing to pay a small premium for big results, this is the way to go. What sets these strips apart is that they contain retinol, which helps minimize the look of declogged pores. However, retinol can irritate sensitive skin, though we didn’t have any issues (see below). Our tester applied one patch to her nose and one to her chin, noting that they’re comfortable but feel like bandages.These patches can be left on as long as overnight, and even though our tester removed hers after just a few hours, it drew out some oil and unclogged her pores. Not only that, but peeling them off was pain-free and didn’t cause any redness.
Best for T-Zone
TonyMoly Tako Pore One Shot Nose Pack
TonyMoly’s Tako Pore Pack was a hit with our tester. After placing it on her T-Zone, she felt it getting continually tighter. Though the last couple of minutes were slightly uncomfortable, the stiffening made her feel that it was working. Removal was slightly painful and left her briefly red, but the results were well worth it. The strip pulled out a substantial amount of sebum and even a few tiny hairs, leaving our tester with super-soft skin. This blackhead treatment will only run you a few bucks—just bear in mind that you only get one patch per pack.
Best for Sensitive Skin
Formula 10.0.6 Down To the Pore Strips Pack
For those with reactive skin, we recommend Formula 10.0.6. This pack comes with four strips for your nose and four for your chin or forehead. Our tester said they’re softer, gentler, and more comfortable than most other blackhead patches, though they stiffened slightly as they dried. While the strips didn’t clear every single pore on her forehead and chin, they still worked pretty well and left the skin smooth, and pulling them off didn’t cause irritation or redness.
Best Multi-Use
Patchology Breakout Box 3-in-1 Acne Treatment Kit
Patchology’s Breakout Box was also a hit in The Lab. This three-in-one kit comes with 24 salicylic acid dots for treating pimples, 24 hydrocolloid dots for whiteheads, and three charcoal nose strips. Though the adhesive could be a little better, our tester said both types of dots were user-friendly, comfortable, and all but invisible on her skin. After doing its thing for about 10 minutes, the nose strip unclogged some of her pores and made them feel tighter. It didn’t irritate our tester’s skin, and she thinks it would be even more effective if she were to leave it on a little longer.
Other Options We Tested
Bioré The Original Deep Cleansing Pore Strips
Bioré was the first brand to launch pore strips back in 1997, and while we respect and appreciate the trailblazing product, it wasn’t as effective as others we tried. Our tester said the strip didn’t stick very well and pulled out very few blackheads. (However, she noted that it may have worked better if she had started with a wet nose instead of simply dampening it with a cleansing wipe.)
Pacifica Cosmic Vanish Pore Strips
We found these pore strips to be exceptionally comfortable. They stayed in place and didn’t cause any irritation or visible redness. But while our tester’s skin felt clean afterward, she didn’t notice much in terms of blackhead removal.
Yes to Tomatoes Two-Step Nose Strip
Though it pulled out some sebaceous filaments, the edges of this strip curled up, which reduced the coverage area. Our tester said it didn’t seem particularly absorbent, and unfortunately, it left her with slight irritation and some redness on the bridge of her nose.
What to Look for in Pore Strips
- Ingredients: Many pore strips are made of hydrocolloid, a healing substance that seals the skin absorbs fluids, and draws out impurities. Others contain a blend of hydrocolloid and other absorbent ingredients, like kaolin and lava clay. Some patches are infused with natural soothers, such as aloe vera and witch hazel. Board-certified dermatologist Purvisha Patel, MD says that those with particularly oily complexions might benefit from charcoal, which can help minimize greasiness. However, she tells Byrdie that “a lot of added ingredients are just marketing.”
- Adhesive: No matter what ingredients are on the strips, they won’t do their job without a good adhesive (the tacky underside that clings to your skin like a Band-Aid). Hydrocolloid is inherently sticky, which is why many pimple patches and pore strips are made from this substance alone.4
- Shape: You’ll also want to pay attention to the shape of the strip. Many are contoured with little slits to help them fit securely around the curves of your nose. Rectangular patches can be placed on flatter, smoother parts of your face like your forehead or chin.
FAQ
Are pore strips safe to use?
“People who are allergic to adhesives, those that have sensitive skin, and those that are on an Rx retinoid are not good candidates for pore strips,” says Dr. Patel, warning that substantial irritation or potential skin damage could occur.
Overusing pore strips—using more than once a week—can also irritate your skin and potentially cause your skin to produce more oil. It’s also important to note that extracting blackheads—whether through a pore strip or popping—won’t shrink your pores. Instead, it’s better to create a skincare routine that prevents blackheads.
How do you use pore strips?
Pore strips are easy to use. If yours calls for wet skin, be sure to wet the area thoroughly with water before applying it. Then peel the strip off the backing, position it on your nose (or the area you’re applying it), and gently press it down, smoothing it out with your fingers. Once dry and stiff, carefully peel off the strip.
How long should you leave pore strips on?
This depends on the type of pore strip. Hydrocolloid patches can be left on for several hours or overnight. However, traditional pore strips that attach to wet skin should be removed once they’re completely dry and stiff—usually about 10 to 15 minutes after applying them.
What are blackheads?
“Blackheads form when a pore becomes clogged with dead skin cells and oil,” explains dermatologist Hadley King, MD. “When this material becomes oxidized by exposure to air, it appears black—hence the name blackhead.”