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If you had told us 15 years ago that we'd be sticking the equivalent of duct tape to our nostrils, forehead, and chin, then ripping them off and furtively examining the remains, we might have mistaken you for someone who was a little too into The X-Files.
But, what we once thought of as beauty sci-fi, we now look to as a skin-care necessity: Pore strips are one of those inventions we didn't really know we needed, but now that we've experienced them, we don't think we can live without them.
Once established though, where could this brave new world of pore de-clogging really evolve to? Deeper, apparently: The latest strips on the market boast deep-cleaning claims that make them sound like a Roto-Rooter for your nostrils. Read on for all the dirty details on our favorites and to see how their skin-excavating claims fare.
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Tea tree extract and kaolin clay pull out sebum and temporarily shrink your pores. We slap one on before every big night out.
Formula 10.0.6 Down To The Pores, $5.99, available at Ulta Beauty.
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Stubborn blackheads don't stand a chance against this double whammy treatment. First, you press the dry patch onto your wet nose and wait 10 minutes before removing it. Then, you follow that up with the wet patch for another 10 minutes. Each is infused with pore-tightening witch hazel, purifying sage, and redness-reducing tea tree extract.
Dr. Jart+ Pore Master Patch, $7.50, available at Sephora.
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To enact the serum solution in Benefit's pore mask, simply push the "press" button and it will release into the pack (this little trick is to ensure you get the most out of your ingredients). The strip can be placed on your nose, forehead, chin area — basically anywhere you need some extra pore-cleansing. It's even dual-sided, so after about 10 minutes, you can use the textured side to exfoliate.
Benefit Instant Wipeout Pore Cleansing Masks, $32, available at Ulta Beauty.
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Point of warning: You have to apply water to your nose (or forehead) before using this product to help it stay put. It takes about three to four minutes for it to begin hardening, and you'll feel a faint cooling sensation. After about 15 minutes, remove the strip and see all of the gunk it extracted from your nose (if you're into that sort of thing).
Bonus: These strips come recommended by a top celeb makeup artist, too.
Bioré Deep Cleansing Pore Strips Combo, $9.49, available at Walgreens.
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This Boscia nose strip is made with a special kind of de-clogging clay to help deep-cleanse your skin. One qualm we have with drugstore pore products is that they never fully harden — making them difficult (and painful) to pull off. But you don't have to worry about that with this black strip. After you remove the sheet, your skin will feel instantly smooth and clean. A major plus, especially during a pore-punishing summer.
Boscia Pore Purifying Black Strips, $28, available at Sephora.
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This packet comes with three different products for you to apply one after the other. After cleansing your face, apply the first sheet and remove after about 20 minutes. Next, wet the skin and apply the second strip for roughly 15 minutes, then take off. Lastly, put on the third and final product, leaving it on for 10 minutes before removing. Pat the remaining solution onto your nose and observe your new blackhead-free skin.
TonyMoly Strawberry Nose Pack, $3.50, available at Ulta Beauty.
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