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Last Updated on February 20, 2026 by Giorgia Guazzarotti

why you shouldn't use pore strips

When I was a teen, I inflicted all kinds of damage to my skin. I didn’t always bother to remove makeup before going to bed. Sunscreen was something I used only at the beach (and I rarely went there, so I almost never wore it). I used cheap products with comedogenic ingredients that would leave me with pimples and blackheads. And then, I tried to remove them with pore strips. Ugh. Sorry, skin!

Of course, back then I thought I was doing all the right things. Pore strips were something that pretty much every magazine recommended (and still do). And why not? You apply one to your nose, press, remove, and voilà. Your blackheads are gone and your pores look smaller. But only temporarily. In the long run, pore strips actually make them bigger. True story! Here’s everything you need to know about pore strips in skincare and why you should avoid them like the plague:

What Are Blackheads?

Blackheads are a type of non-inflammatory acne (meaning they’re not the red, painful kind). They happen when a pore gets clogged with a mix of dead skin cells and extra sebum (the oil your skin naturally produces). While whiteheads are fully closed, blackheads have an open surface. This means when they’re exposed to air, they oxide and turn black. Everyone can get them, but the more oil your skin produces, the more likely you are to get stuck with them.

Why You Shouldn’t Use Pore Strips

Here are all the reasons why pore strips are bad for your skin:

1. Pore Strips Stretch Pores And Makes Them Clog Faster

You know what pore strips are made of? Polyquaternium-37. That’s the hairspray-like substance that makes the strip stick to the gunk within your pores. When you rip the strip off, it stretches your pores. Over time, your pores are so stretched, all sorts of gunk can easily fill them. You know what that means? Yep, a nose full of blackheads.

Related: 3 Science-Backed Ways To Shrink Large Pores

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2. Pore Strips Can Irritate And Tear Skin

Pore strips are harsh, my friend. When you rip off the strips, they can irritate and tear the skin and even bring spider veins to the surface. They are particularly dangerous if:

  • You’ve been having facial peels
  • You’re using Retin-A, Renova, AHAs, or BHA
  • You’re taking Isotretinoin for acne
  • You have naturally thin skin
  • You have rosacea, psoriasis or any other skin disorder

There’s more. The glue that makes them adhere so well to the skin can get inside the pores, too. That can irritate them and cause breakouts, too.

Related: How To Deal With Rosacea

3. Pore Strips Don’t Remove The Entire Blackhead

But, but, but… seeing that strip covered in gunk feels SO good. The stretching and tearing pale in comparison. Who cares about them? Look at all those blackheads on the strips. Now, that’s satisfying!

I hate to break your bubble, but all that gunk is just the top of the blackheads. You know, the parts there were closer to the opening. The bodies of your blackheads are still well and alive and will haunt you again. A little push and soon that gunk will reach the surface. Yep, another blackhead. Except, it’s not. It’s the old one you hadn’t removed properly the first time around.

Related: The Right Way To Treat Blackheads

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What Should You Use Instead Of Pore Strips?

If blackheads pay frequent visits to your face, exfoliate regularly with salicylic acid. It can penetrate inside the pores, so it removes the whole thing, not just the head. Bye bye, blackheads! By the way, salicylic acid doesn’t necessarily need to be in an exfoliant. It can be in a toner, moisturizer, wherever… Just as long as it stays on the skin for hours, it’ll work fine.

Best picks:

  • Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Night Serum ($90.00): Don’t let the name fool you. This exfoliant has both salicylic acid to unclog pores and glycolic acid to fade away the dark spots pimples sometimes leave behind. Available at Cult Beauty, Sephora and SpaceNK.
  • Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid ($29.00): The cult exfoliant from the brand, it unlclogs pores and treats blackheads and acne. The texture’s a little sticky, but if you can take that, this is one of the best salicylic acid exfoliants out there. Available at Cult Beauty, Sephora, and SpaceNK.
  • The Inkey List Beta Hydroxy Acid (£9.99): A simple, no-frills salicylic acid exfoliant for people on a budget. Available at Cult Beauty.

The Bottom Line

Pore strips do more harm than good. Stay away from comedogenic stuff and exfoliate often and you won’t have to deal with blackheads anymore.