Best Pore Cleansing Strips

Buying guide for Best pore cleansing strips

Written by Jennifer Manfrin

Updated April 2022

Dirt, oil, and dead skin cells can all collect in your pores and make them appear larger and lead to blackheads. Even when you wash your face twice a day, sometimes you need additional help cleansing your pores, especially on and around the nose.

Pore cleansing strips are designed for deep cleaning. Strips stick over the bridge and sides of the nose where blackheads and enlarged pores are most common. Some brands also make strips to fit the forehead. When removed, the strip pulls debris from the pores, revealing clearer skin. Although pore cleansing strips can be irritating for some, the results for most people exceed what a facial cleanser can do alone.

Pore cleansing strips come with various ingredients to make them more effective. The best kind for you will depend on how clogged your pores are and your skin type.

Some pore cleansing strips are a bit longer and wider. They are the best option if you tend to develop blackheads on the areas of your face close to your nose.

Are pore cleansing strips effective?

To answer this question, it’s important to understand why skin develops clogged pores in the first place. Your skin’s natural oil production, makeup, and improper cleansing can all play a role in the development of exaggerated pores, which tend to be more noticeable on the nose and surrounding T-zone areas. These factors can also contribute to blackheads, which form when oil secretions called sebum clog hair follicles. The dark appearance occurs when the substance comes in contact with air and oxidation occurs. Whiteheads don’t have the same dark appearance as blackheads, but they may also benefit from using pore cleansing strips.

The strong adhesive of pore cleansing strips, combined with other ingredients, works to soften and extract built-up dirt, oil, debris, and blackheads. The results can be notable and include less obvious pores and fewer blackheads. Using pore cleansing strips on a regular basis will lead to clearer skin for most people.

Using pore cleansing strips

Each pack of pore cleansing strips comes with its own instructions, but there are some basic steps you will need to follow.

• Read the instructions on the package of pore cleansing strips before you begin.
• Wash and dry your face to remove any products, dirt, or debris that may interfere with the strip’s adhesive action.
• Put water on your nose so the pore cleansing strip will stick.
• Dry your hands before opening the strip package.
• Remove the liner on the strip to expose the adhesive.
• Place the pore cleansing strip evenly on your nose, and press firmly to seal the adhesive to your skin.
• Leave the strip in place for the time designated on the package, typically 10 to 15 minutes.
• Remove the strip gently by lifting the edges and working toward the center of your nose.
• Use a washcloth to carefully wipe away any excess adhesive or residue that is left behind on your skin.
• Repeat as recommended on the package instructions, usually every one or two weeks.

Are there any negative effects?

Most users of pore cleansing strips report satisfactory results, but they can pose some potential problems. The adhesive that makes the strips effective at extracting gunk can also cause skin irritation from tugging at the skin. Redness, rash, and irritation can occur as a result, most likely on users who have sensitive skin. Using pore cleansing strips more frequently than recommended can also lead to this problem. However, when used as recommended and removed with care, pore cleansing strips offer deep cleaning that basic cleansers can’t.

Features

Adhesive

Sometimes infused with skin-soothing ingredients like witch hazel and tea tree oil, the adhesive side is the part of the pore cleansing strip that comes in contact with the skin. Some pore cleansing strips are also made with charcoal, which attracts impurities and clarifies skin naturally.

Size

While pore cleansing strips are shaped to conform to the bridge and sides of the nose, some are a bit wider and longer to cover more skin. Although less common, some strips are made to fit the forehead and are typically longer and thinner than those designed to fit over the nose.

Quantity

Packs with just a few pore cleansing strips – approximately five to 10 – are suitable for consumers who don’t use strips frequently. But for those who plan to treat their pore issues on a regular basis, packs containing anywhere from 15 to 30-plus strips are a better value.

Wait time

Most pore cleansing strips don’t require a long wait to produce dirt-pulling results. The typical wait time is about 10 to 15 minutes.

Dual packs

Some well-known brands offer combo packs that contain two types of pore cleansing strips: for the nose and the forehead.

Pore cleansing strip prices

Pore cleansing strips come in packs of various quantities. But if you break down the price for top-selling strips, they run about $0.50 to $1 per strip. Brands that aren’t as recognizable are more affordable and range in price from about $9 to $15 for around 18 to 48 strips. Combo packs with an equal amount of nose and forehead strips cost about $13 to $15 for approximately 24 strips in total.

Tips

• When you remove a pore cleansing strip, don’t pull too aggressively. If you do, you may cause skin irritation and redness.
• If a pore strip is difficult to remove after the recommended time, dab a little water on it to help loosen the adhesive.
• If you use pore cleansing strips as recommended – typically about once or twice a week – you are likely to see noticeable, consistent results like fewer blackheads and smaller pores.
• Don’t use pore cleansing strips more often than the package instructs. If you do, you may irritate or damage your skin.
• If you experience severe irritation, this could be a sign of an allergic reaction or that you have extremely sensitive skin. Discontinue use, and contact your dermatologist if symptoms persist.

Although you may be tempted to use pore cleansing strips that are designed for the nose on other areas of your face, they aren’t likely to stick well. That’s because they are designed especially to fit over the contours of your nose.

FAQ

Q. How many times do I need to use pore cleansing strips to see results?A. The answer to this question varies from person to person. Those with more severe pore blockage and a lot of blackheads may need to use pore cleansing strips several times for optimal results, while those with fewer issues can expect improvement after the first use. Regardless, pore cleansing strips remove dirt and debris with each use.

Q. Can I use pore cleansing strips on pimples?
A. Pimples are blocked oil glands that have become irritated and infected. Using pore strips on them isn’t a good idea because they can make the irritation even worse. Other products that are designed specifically to treat pimples are better options.

Q. Will I continue to get blackheads after using pore cleansing strips?
A. Unfortunately, pore cleansing strips only remove grime and blackheads; they don’t prevent these issues from occurring. However, treating your skin with strips as part of your regular facial cleansing routine is a proactive way to keep blackheads and clogged pores to a minimum.