We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. The 6 Best Pore Strips That Unclog Blackheads Without Destroying Your Skin Barrier These aren't your old-school options. By Cheryl Wagemann Cheryl Wagemann Cheryl Wagemann is a writer and editor covering beauty and fashion. She has tested and reviewed many products, from buzzy haircare launches to celebrity clothing lines and more. InStyle's editorial guidelines Updated on April 1, 2025 @ 09:48AM In This Article View All In This Article Our Top Picks Reviews Our Testing Process What to Keep in Mind Your Questions, Answered Why Shop With Us Credit: InStyle Pore strips have appeared in practically everyone’s medicine cabinet at some point (we’re looking at you, expired box from the '90s), but even the best pore strips have a complex reputation among dermatologists. "What I don't like about pore strips is that it is like tape stripping your face, so though satisfying, you can't do it every week," says Kavita Mariwalla, a board-certified dermatologist. "What I do like about pore strips is that, like a comedone extractor, they pull up those comedonal plugs rather than squeezing, which can lead to wider pores and broken blood vessels.” When used correctly and sparingly in your skin care regimen, pore strips can help clear out blackheads and grime that make your skin look sad. And, if we’re being honest, we can’t deny how satisfying it is to examine all the gunk left on the strip afterward. Since you should use pore strips with care, we asked dermatologists how to select and safely use them. With their advice, our team of beauty experts tested 14 of the most popular pore strips in our lab and at home, rating each one on ease of use, comfort, and efficacy. Read on for the best pore strips for achieving clear, smooth skin. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Hero Cosmetics Mighty Patch Nose at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Oily Skin: Peace Out Pores Oil-Absorbing Nose Strips at Sephora Jump to Review Best Oversized: TonyMoly Tako Pore One Shot Nose Pack at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Entire Face: Formula 10.0.6 Down To the Pore Strips Pack at Amazon $8 Jump to Review Best for Acne: Patchology Breakout Box 3-in-1 Acne Treatment Kit at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Pores: Starface Lift Off Pore Strips at Amazon Jump to Review Best Overall Hero Cosmetics Mighty Patch Nose Credit: Ulta $17 at Amazon $18 at Ulta $20 at Walgreens Why We Love It: If you’re scarred by memories of painful pore strips leaving your skin red and inflamed, rest assured that using these strips—one of our favorite acne treatments—is a much more pleasant experience. It works like a pimple patch and uses hydrocolloid to absorb excess oil, not adhesive. Along with smoothing skin, it helps reduce a pimple’s size and can be used on pimples, too. Though skin can look a little red immediately after use, there’s no irritation, and it’s painless to remove. Who’s It For: People who want a gentler option than an adhesive-based pore strip. This option works overnight, but keep in mind it’s very sticky, so it may take a little finesse to get the application just right. Shape: Nose | Number of Strips: 10 | Key Ingredients: Hydrocolloid Credit: InStyle Credit: InStyle Credit: InStyle Leslie, tester: “The skin there is very smooth after taking it out…and once it’s on, it just feels like a Band-Aid.” Best for Oily Skin Peace Out Pores Oil-Absorbing Nose Strips Credit: Sephora $19 at Sephora $19 at Kohls.com View on Peaceoutskincare.com Why We Love It: For oily skin with a lot of blackheads, this powerful overnight option clears pores. It’s surprisingly gentle to remove, given the strip is super effective at pulling blackheads out of the skin. In addition to dirt and grain, it removes excess oil without causing any redness, irritation, or pain. And because the formula contains vitamin A, it’s designed to prevent future blackheads from forming. Who’s It For: Oily, acne-prone skin, and sensitive skin will like this painless option that works overnight. Shape: Nose and face | Number of Strips: 8 | Key Ingredients: Vitamin A, hydrocolloid polymer technology Credit: InStyle Credit: InStyle Credit: InStyle Leslie, tester: “Even though this is an overnight pore strip, it did have some effect on my chin. It removed some oil and some blackheads, so I can imagine how powerful it can be overnight!” Best Oversized TonyMoly Tako Pore One Shot Nose Pack Credit: Amazon $11 at Amazon $17 at Revolve View on Tonymoly.us Why We Love It: The TonyMoly Nose Packs are generously sized to fit over your entire T-zone, so they can unclog pores on the nose and a small part of your forehead, where blackheads also tend to occur. This is one strip that you can really feel working as it tightens onto your skin. Overall, skin feels softer and looks clearer after use. And as a side note, who can resist the cute octopus design? Who’s It For: The pore strip (which is kinda like a mask, TBH) works quickly in just 15 minutes, making it ideal for travel or when you want a quick fix. If you’re sensitive to pain, however, know that it does tighten up on the skin and can require a little tugging to remove. Shape: Nose and forehead | Number of Strips: 1 | Key Ingredients: Dead sea salt, taurine, black peat water Credit: InStyle Credit: InStyle Credit: InStyle Maria, tester: “After observing my nose and the strip itself after I removed it, it seems to have removed a good amount of sebaceous materials, as well as the tiny hairs from my nose! This strip also went up to the forehead, but it didn't seem to really remove anything from the forehead. My nose feels super soft after using the strip, and it definitely looks clearer.” Best for Entire Face Formula 10.0.6 Down To the Pore Strips Pack Credit: Amazon $8 at Amazon View on Formula1006.com $6 at Walgreens Why We Love It: Blackheads can form all over the face, so it’s helpful to have an option that works on the forehead and chin, as well as the nose. These strips contain clay and witch hazel (an ingredient found in many of the best toners), which are two ingredients that help absorb oil and shrink pores. This option feels less harsh on the skin than others our team tested. Who’s It For: Oily skin types prone to blackheads on the forehead, nose, and chin. Sensitive skin types will also appreciate that although the strips stiffen up as expected, they don’t feel overly tight on the face. Keep in mind that placement may take a little trial and error—some of the components can potentially separate during the process. Shape: Nose, chin, and forehead | Number of Strips: 8 | Key Ingredients: Witch hazel, clay, charcoal Credit: InStyle Credit: InStyle Credit: InStyle Nikki, tester: “[The] strips stiffened as expected. I could talk and emote without feeling uncomfortable or aware of them.” Best for Acne Patchology Breakout Box 3-in-1 Acne Treatment Kit Credit: Dermstore $20 at Amazon $20 at Nordstrom $20 at Ulta Why We Love It: In addition to three nose strips, you get 24 hydrocolloid dots to absorb pus from whiteheads and 24 salicylic acid dots to bust up clogged pores and reduce inflammation. The nose strips and dots wear comfortably and leave skin looking and feeling fresh and matte. They’re nonirritating, too. Who’s It For: This is perfect for those concerned with acne as well as blackheads. Note that our tester had some trouble getting the salicylic acid dots to stick to her face, so keep in mind if your skin is very oily. Shape: Nose and face | Number of Strips: 51 | Key Ingredients: Hydrocolloid, salicylic acid, tea tree, charcoal, witch hazel, clay, aloe Credit: InStyle Credit: InStyle Credit: InStyle Mandy, tester (not pictured): “After 10 minutes, it removed some of my sebaceous filaments. My pores felt slightly tighter, like a brief squeeze. I feel it would be more effective and remove more gunk if it were left on for a minimum of 15 minutes instead of 10.” Best for Pores Starface Lift Off Pore Strips Credit: Starface $6 at Amazon View on Starface.world $18 $6 at Walmart Why We Love It: Don’t be fooled by the adorable smiley faces on the sunny yellow design: these pore strips don’t mess around when it comes to unclogging pores. You can definitely see and feel the strip working when you remove it, but while it’s on your face, it’s super comfortable. Once you remove it, you’ll see all the blackheads and dry skin it pulled out. Who’s It For: Pore strip purists will love that satisfying pull that removes dirt and oil. Just know that removing it isn’t the most comfortable experience. Shape: Nose | Number of Strips: 8 | Key Ingredients: Aloe vera, witch hazel Credit: InStyle Credit: InStyle Credit: InStyle Kiara, tester: “It feels as a pore strip should. You notice that it's on, but there's no irritation while it's on your face. It's not the most comfortable when taking off, but you can see it pulling out blackheads as it does.” Our Testing Process After consulting dermatologists for recommendations and gathering the most popular pore strips, we tested the products in our lab and at home. InStyle testers rated each product on its efficacy, comfort during use and removal, and any irritation it caused. The pore strips on this list received the highest ratings from our testers. What to Keep in Mind Ingredients: Traditional pore strips use adhesive to pull out dirt and debris lodged within pores and typically contain active ingredients like witch hazel and vitamin A to soak up excess oil and encourage skin cell turnover. However, Robin Schaffran, a board-certified dermatologist and co-founder of BalmLabs, says these ingredients can irritate certain people. Instead of adhesive, some options on this list contain hydrocolloid, a gel-like substance that can help remove oil and soothe skin rather than pull out blackheads. If your skin is sensitive, look for an option with hydrocolloid, says Dr. Schaffran. Charcoal is another common ingredient intended to draw out blackheads, dirt, and oil. However, Dr. Schaffran says it's unclear how effective charcoals are at absorbing oil. "There is little to no evidence to substantiate the claims that skincare companies are making about the use of activated charcoal in products.” Size and Shape: While most strips are designed for the bridge of your nose, some oversized options will also cover the area between your eyebrows. If you want to remove blackheads and clogged pores on your chin or forehead, consider a set with strips specially designed to fit each part of your face. Your Questions, Answered How do I use a pore strip? Using a pore strip is pretty straightforward: You put it on the desired area, wait the recommended amount of time, and then slowly pull it off, staring in wonder at all the gunk it pulled out. For the best results, board-certified dermatologist Sandra Lee (also known as Dr. Pimple Popper) recommends taking a hot shower first to steam your face and loosen the gunk in your pores. You can also use a facial steamer. "The prep beforehand is the most important step because if you have dry skin and your blackheads are dried up in your pores, chances are anything you do isn't going to effectively remove them," Dr. Lee tells InStyle. Some pore strips are recommended for use on wet skin so they adhere better. It's always best to check the product’s label to see how to put them on and when to remove them. Are pore strips safe to use? Generally, yes, as long as you use them as directed and not too often. As Dr. Mariwalla puts it, there is a dermatologist's answer and a real-world answer to this question. "What I don't like about pore strips is that it is like tape stripping your face, so though satisfying, you can't do it every week," she says. "What I do like about pore strips is that, like a comedone extractor, they pull up those comedonal plugs rather than squeezing, which can lead to wider pores and broken blood vessels. If you are someone who cannot keep their hands off their blackheads, I would rather you use a pore strip once every two weeks than squeeze, pull, or tug at sensitive areas on your face." Can pore strips make your pores look bigger? "No. Pore strips won't make your pores look bigger, but they often don't work, so sometimes pores are simply getting fuller on their own despite using pore strips," says Dr. Schaffran. While pore strips can help unclog your pores, they don't prevent them from getting clogged in the first place (more on that below). What can I use in addition to pore strips to clear my pores? In addition to physically removing blackheads with a pore strip, you can use chemical exfoliants to slough off dead skin and prevent clogged pores. "Topical products can help exfoliate as an alternative or be used in conjunction with pore strips. Salicylic acid is a commonly recommended blackhead remedy, but can be irritating and drying for some skin," says Dr. Schaffran. "Instead, I recommend products containing gentler AHAs, like glycolic acid, which can provide daily exfoliation without the risk of irritation." A consistent exfoliation regimen may clear pores so you won't need strips as often. But if you would rather keep the pore extraction up to the pros, Dr. Schaffran recommends getting regular facials to treat blackheads. Why Shop With Us Cheryl Wagemann is a writer and editor at InStyle, covering beauty topics like skin care, hair care, and makeup. She has oily skin and large pores and has used pore strips on her nose, forehead, and chin. She analyzed insights from InStyle product testers to inform this article. The following experts spoke with InStyle for this story: Dr. Robin Schaffran is a board-certified dermatologist and co-founder of BalmLabs.Dr. Kavita Mariwalla is a board-certified dermatologist.Dr. Sandra Lee is a board-certified dermatologist. Read more: Beauty