Do Pore Strips Really Work?
Pore strips are a popular product for cleansing pores and removing stubborn blackheads. While they can be effective to an extent , they may not always be the best choice for getting clearer skin. In this guide, we explain what pore strips are, how they can work, and what might work even better for long-term results.
Pore strips are a type of physical exfoliation that can work to quickly remove blackheads.
They may cause redness or inflammation, especially for sensitive skin types.
The best way to get clear pores in the long term is to use a consistent skin care regimen that's right for your skin type.
What Are Pore Strips?
Pore strips are adhesive products designed to remove blackheads from your pores. Blackheads, also called open comodones , are open pores that are clogged with dead skin cells, dirt, and oil. Blackheads are common on the nose and chin but can occur anywhere on the face or body.
Pores strips are typically made of a flexible fabric coated with a sticky substance. When applied to the skin and removed, pore strips can pull out the debris that causes blackheads from your pores. This is known as physical exfoliation.
Physical vs. Chemical Exfoliation
There are two ways to clean pores : 1) using physical exfoliation like pore strips or physical extractions and 2) using chemical exfoliation ingredients like alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) or beta hydroxy acids (BHAs). Physical exfoliation can be harsher on the skin, especially if you are a sensitive skin type and prone to irritation or inflammation.
How Do Pore Strips Work?
When applied to damp skin, pore strips adhere to the surface of your skin and bond with dirt, oil, and other debris inside pores. Once dried, you peel them off, lifting away blackheads, dead skin cells, and excess oil. While this does work to remove many blackheads, it can leave some behind and does not address the underlying causes of clogged pores.
Pros of Using Pore Strips
Pore strips can be beneficial in some situations. Some of the main pros of using pore strips to clean your pores include:
- A quick fix in a pinch. Pore strips can come in handy a few days before an important event, when you have limited time to get clearer skin.
- Ease of use. Pore strips are fairly easy to use and can help you get clearer pores quickly.
- Affordability. Pore strips are generally inexpensive.
Cons of Using Pore Strips
As helpful as pore strips can be for a short-term, quick fix, they do have some drawbacks to keep in mind:
- Skin damage. Physical exfoliation methods like pore strips can cause damage to your skin and may make redness and inflammation worse, especially for sensitive skin types.
- Short-term results. Pore strips can effectively remove blackheads, but because they do not address the causes of clogged pores, they are often a short-term solution.
- Surface-level solution with spotty results. Pore strips also tend to be less effective than chemical exfoliation, since they rely on surface-level pore cleansing, rather than reaching deeper into the skin.
How to Use Pore Strips Properly
Start with clean skin. Cleanse your face before using pore strips. Use warm water to rinse, as this will help to dilate or open your pores. Avoid using cold water, as it can constrict pores, making strips less effective.
Apply the strip. Press firmly onto damp skin and allow it to dry completely.
Remove carefully. Gently peel off the strip, starting from the edges and creating light tension with your skin while pulling in the opposite direction.
Cleanse your skin. Gently cleanse your skin again to remove any leftover adhesive.
Alternatives to Pore Strips
Pore strips can work for short-term pore-clearing results. However, if you are looking for a longer-term solution, start by finding out which of the 16 skin types you are . From there, we can help you choose the best cleansers and exfoliants for your skin type that will help to keep your pores clear and acne at bay.
Some of our favorite gentle cleansers for removing blackheads include:
Bottom Line
While pore strips can offer a quick fix to get rid of stubborn blackheads, they are not the best long-term solution for maintaining clear skin. The best way to get rid of clogged pores and acne is to use a customized skin care regimen that is a match for your skin type. If you don’t know your skin type yet, take the quiz to find out. Then, you’ll be able to build a personalized skin care regimen to help you get and maintain clear, healthy-looking skin.
Dr. Leslie Baumann MD, FAAD
Do dermatologists recommend pore strips?
As a dermatologist, I recommend finding the right skin care regimen for acne and clogged pores. However, pore strips can work in the short-term or if you need them very occasionally or in a pinch. They are not recommended for regular use, though, because they can damage the skin over time and cause inflammation and more issues.
What do pore strips pull out?
Pore strips pull out the dead skin cells, dirt, and oil that make up the blackheads you see inside your pores.
Why won’t pore strips remove my blackheads?
Pore strips may not remove all of your blackheads for a few reasons. Firstly, pore strips work on the surface, so any blackheads that are embedded deeper into the pore may not be removed with the strip. Additionally, very oily skin may not allow the strip to adhere properly, thus limiting its results.
Best References and Scientific Publications on Pore Strips and Cleansing
- Baumann L. Antiaging Ingredients in Ch. 37 of Baumann's Cosmetic Dermatology Ed 3. (McGraw Hill 2022)
- Baumann, L. Ch. Cosmeceuticals and cosmetic Ingredients (McGraw Hill 2015)
- Decker, A., & Graber, E. M. (2012). Over-the-counter acne treatments: a review. The Journal of clinical and aesthetic dermatology, 5(5), 32.
- Sun, H., Yang, G., Yuan, J., Jiang, Y., & Jin, G. (2024). Establishment and verification of a method for analyzing nasal blackheads images. Skin Research and Technology, 30(3), e13648.
- Kim, S. J., Baek, J. H., Koh, J. S., Bae, M. I., Lee, S. J., & Shin, M. K. (2015). The effect of physically applied alpha hydroxyl acids on the skin pore and comedone. International journal of cosmetic science, 37(5), 519-525.
