Are pore strips safe to use?

"People who are allergic to adhesives, those that have sensitive skin, and those that are on an prescription 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.

"Blackheads form when a pore becomes clogged with dead skin cells and oil," explains dermatologist Dr. Hadley King, M.D. "When this material becomes oxidized by exposure to air, it appears black—hence the name blackhead."

The 6 Best Pore Strips, Tested and Approved by Dermatologists

Hands pulling pore strips from their box among a display of the best pore strips — Byrdie / Jhett Thompson

TL;DR

Earning perfect scores in all categories, our top choice is Hero Cosmetics Mighty Patch Nose, an effective, nonirritating, single-ingredient solution to clogged pores. If you're looking for something more affordable or just want to give pore strips a try, go with TonyMoly's Tako Pore One Shot Nose Pack. While the price per patch is a bit higher, we also really liked the effective and painless Peace Out Pores Strips.

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.

But, not all strips are created equal. We tested dozens of pore strips to see which ones actually unclogged our pores without pain or redness. Here are the best pores strips that provided a pleasant peel-off experience.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Hero Cosmetics Mighty Patch Nose at Amazon $17

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Best Budget:

Starface Lift Off Pore Strips at Amazon $6

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Best Splurge:

Peace Out Pores Oil-Absorbing Nose Strips at Amazon

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Best for T-Zone:

TonyMoly Tako Pore One Shot Nose Pack at Amazon $4

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Best for Sensitive Skin:

Formula 10.0.6 Down To the Pore Strips Pack at Amazon $8

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Best Multiuse:

Patchology Breakout Box 3-in-1 Acne Treatment Kit at Amazon $20

Jump to Review

Best Overall

Hero Cosmetics Mighty Patch Nose

PHOTO: Amazon

$17 at Amazon $18 at Target $18 at Ulta

What We Like

Effective and feels comfortable on the skin
Nonirritating
Only one ingredient

What to Consider

Almost too sticky

Amount: 10 strips | Key Ingredients: Hydrocolloid | Cruelty-Free: Yes

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.

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.

Hero Cosmetics Mighty Patch Nose pore strip and box on a marble surface — Byrdie / Jhett Thompson

Mariah, tester with oily skin: "This product has become part of my weekly routine to unclog pores. I run very oily, particularly on my nose, so this has really helped with impurities. Though my nose isn't necessarily less shiny, it does look noticeably clearer. I also like that it's an overnight patch because I can forget about it."

Best Budget

Starface Lift Off Pore Strips

PHOTO: Walmart

$6 at Amazon $6 at Walmart View on Starface.world

What We Like

Affordable
Effective
Nonirritating

What to Consider

Didn't lift every blackhead

Amount: 8 strips | Key Ingredients: Witch hazel, aloe vera | Cruelty-Free: Yes

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.

PHOTO: Byrdie / Jhett Thompson
PHOTO: Byrdie / Jhett Thompson

Cheyann, tester with dry skin: "This product performs very well. It grabs a significant amount of whiteheads, both small and deep, after each use. It leaves my nose feeling soft and smooth."

Best Splurge

Peace Out Pores Oil-Absorbing Nose Strips

PHOTO: Amazon

View on Amazon $19 at Sephora $31 at Walmart

What We Like

Immediate, noticeable results
Painless removal
Doesn't cause redness

What to Consider

Retinol can irritate sensitive skin

Amount: 4 nose strips, 4 chin strips | Key Ingredients: Hydrocolloid, retinol | Cruelty-Free: Yes

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.

Peace Out Pores Oil-Absorbing Strips box and pore strips on a marble surface — Byrdie / Jhett Thompson

Best for T-Zone

TonyMoly Tako Pore One Shot Nose Pack

$4 at Amazon $17 at Revolve

What We Like

Removes oil and sebum well
Cute packaging
Leaves the skin soft

What to Consider

Only one strip per pack

Amount: 1 strip | Key Ingredients: Taurine, Madagascar mud, Dead Sea salt | Cruelty-Free: Yes

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.

Person applying TonyMoly Tako Pore One Shot Nose Pack pore strip to their face — Byrdie / Jhett Thompson

Alyssa, tester with oily skin: "These pore strips have helped me to cut down on the mud masks I normally use. I'm also finding that my makeup applies more smoothly in my T-zone because it removes blackheads well."

Best for Sensitive Skin

Formula 10.0.6 Down To the Pore Strips Pack

PHOTO: Ulta

$8 at Amazon View on Formula1006.com

What We Like

Feel soft and comfortable
Make the skin smoother
Doesn't cause redness

What to Consider

Didn't get all blackheads

Amount: 4 nose strips, 4 chin/forehead strips | Key Ingredients: Charcoal, Moroccan lava clay, kaolin, witch hazel, aloe vera | Cruelty-Free: Yes

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.

Person wearing Formula 10.0.6 Down To the Pore Strips Pack on their face while looking at box — Byrdie / Jhett Thompson

Julia, tester with sensitive skin (not shown): "I would recommend these strips for people that want strips for all areas of their face. The box includes nose, chin, and forehead strips to help cover the most acne-prone areas. The application process is easy and you only need to use a small amount of water. I think each strip pulls out a fair amount of dirt and it's fun to use."

Best Multiuse

Patchology Breakout Box 3-in-1 Acne Treatment Kit

PHOTO: Amazon

$20 at Amazon $20 at Ulta $20 at Walmart

What We Like

Comes with patches for acne and pores
Comfortable nose strip
Easy to use

What to Consider

Dots don't stick very well

Amount: 48 dots, 3 strips | Key Ingredients: Hydrocolloid, salicylic acid, tea tree oil, charcoal, bentonite, kaolin, witch hazel, aloe vera | Cruelty-Free: Yes

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.

Person holding Patchology Breakout Box 3-in-1 Acne Treatment Kit packaging and treatment dots — Byrdie / Jhett Thompson

Mandy, tester with acne-prone skin: "The nose strip is extremely comfortable. There's zero feeling on your skin, even though you know it is applied correctly."

What to Look for When Buying Pore Strips

An effective pore strip clears dead skin cells and oil, leaving clean, clear skin in its wake. To determine which pore strip is right for you, we suggest considering the following points.

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 Dr. Purvisha Patel, M.D. 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.
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.

How We Tested Pore Strips

Person looking in mirror while applying a pore strip to their nose — Byrdie/Jhett Thompson

Below are the features our editors and contributors evaluated to determine our top picks.

Efficacy: Part of the fun of pore strips is their immediate effect—they clear away the gunk in your skin right before your eyes. We selected pore strips that delivered on their promises, observing how well each removed our blackheads and sebaceous filaments. We also considered which options made our pores appear smaller or tighter.
Comfort: Pore strips can get a bad rap for being uncomfortable, so we only selected options that felt good on our skin. We also tracked how it felt to remove each strip, disqualifying options that were too painful.
Irritation: While pore strips can be a visible and instantaneous way to rid your skin of grime, they can also cause irritation. As such, we chose options that left minimal redness and discomfort behind.

FAQ

Are pore strips safe to use?

"People who are allergic to adhesives, those that have sensitive skin, and those that are on an prescription 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 Dr. Hadley King, M.D. "When this material becomes oxidized by exposure to air, it appears black—hence the name blackhead."

Meet Our Experts

To gain more insight on what makes a great pore strip, we reached out to the following experts:

Dr. Hadley King, M.D., FAAD, is a sought-after board-certified dermatologist in New York City. She specializes in cosmetic and medical treatments.
Dr. Purvisha Patel, M.D., FAAD, FASDS, FACMS, is a board-certified dermatologist, a cosmetic surgeon, and the founder of Visha Skincare.

Why Trust Byrdie

Theresa Holland is a beauty writer, editor, and product reviewer. In order to craft thoughtful, trustworthy recommendations, she compiled expertise from two dermatologists and insights from our in-house testers who tried out dozens of pore strips to see which ones actually worked without pain or redness. She has also tried many pore strips and pimple patches over the years, including options from Patchology, TonyMoly, Hero Cosmetics, and Bioré.

Updated by Allison Lax

Article Sources

Byrdie takes every opportunity to use high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.