Do Pore Strips Actually Work for Blackhead Removal?

Pore strips do work to remove blackheads at the skin's surface, but these adhesive strips can't prevent blackheads from occurring, and they're not a long-term skin care solution. That's especially true because blackheads, called open comedones, often occur with acne and other conditions that require more comprehensive care.

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How Pore Strips Work

Pore strips are made with a band-aid-like material that's adhesive on one side and can be applied to the nose or facial skin where blackheads appear. After staying in place for a few minutes, they're peeled back off with the blackheads pulled from your pores sticking to the strip.

Many pore strips rely on polymer films as the underlying structure. Other ingredients can vary by the product and brand, with examples that include:

• Tea tree oil
• Witch hazel
• Charcoal

Some pore strip products are designed more like hydrocolloid patches that are often used to treat acne. These patches can contain benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, or other medications.

To get the best results, use the pore strips exactly as directed. The instructions vary slightly from brand to brand, so read the directions on your product. 

What Pore Strips Can and Cannot Do

Pore strips are designed to remove the contents of a blackhead. You can see the oil, dirt, and other material that's removed from the clogged pores. The center is black because of oxidation that affects oil when it contacts the air. What you typically can't see is the material left behind. The pore strips can't completely remove larger, deeper blackheads.

One study used pore strips to take skin samples to assess the microbiome of skin hair follicles. Most of the samples removed were incomplete or broken, in part because the pore strips couldn't achieve the same skin depth as the glue technique, which achieved better results. Researchers couldn't get all of the pore contents removed when using commonly available pore strips.

No matter how often you use pore strips, they're never going to get rid of your blackheads completely. In addition, some people may experience skin irritation when using them. Nor can pore strips be used to treat acne. For that, you will need a different treatment.

Treatment for Blackheads

If you've only got a few blackheads here and there, an occasional pore strip will probably work just fine for you. Blackheads commonly occur with acne, though, and you may need more comprehensive care.

Effective treatments can include retinoids, such as tretinoin and adapalene. These medications have anti-inflammatory effects that help treat acne, and they can limit the growth of blackheads.

First, consider an over-the-counter acne treatment, and look for one containing adapalene. If you have a lot of blackheads, and you can't get improvement with OTC acne products, a prescription topical retinoid may help to get your blackheads under control.

Other treatments for blackheads that occur with acne can include:

• Benzoyl peroxide
• Antibiotics
• Salicylic acid
• Azelaic acid
• Hormonal birth control

Talk with your healthcare provider or a dermatologist (skin specialist) about treatment options.

Skin Care Basics

A good skin care routine can help to prevent blackheads, including:

• Daily cleansing with mild soap
• Using a moisturizer (look for a noncomedogenic type that's less likely to cause acne)
• Avoiding oil-based cosmetics
• Keeping hair clean and off your face
• Limiting sun exposure

Pore strips can irritate skin when pulled, and other blackhead treatment options may offer benefits. Talk with your healthcare provider about chemical peels, herbal remedies, and other options that may help to manage your blackheads.

Key Takeaways

• Pore strips do work to remove blackheads, but they tend to be a temporary solution. There's still material left in the pore when the strip is removed, and they don't prevent blackheads at all.
• Blackheads often occur with acne, so talk with your healthcare provider to see how other medications and treatments might help.