Pore strips for blackheads: do nose strips work?

A used pore strip shows dark and white specks stuck to it. That result is real, and it is also short. The specks are the tops of blackheads and the normal oil plugs that line nose pores. Both grow back. This guide explains what a strip pulls out, what the few studies show, the risks the medical sources describe, and what clears blackheads for longer. For the full blackhead plan, see how to get rid of blackheads.

What a pore strip pulls out

A pore strip is a sticky pad that you press onto the nose, let dry and peel away. What comes off with it depends on what fills your pores.

Blackhead tops. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) says a blackhead forms when "excess oil and dead skin cells build up inside a pore," and the top turns dark when it "reacts with oxygen in the air." A strip grips the part of that plug that sits at the surface.

Sebaceous filaments. Some specks on a used strip are sebaceous filaments, thin plugs of skin oil that line the pores of the nose. A 1976 study in Archives of Dermatological Research described them as "cylindrical tubes of whitish-yellowish color" found most often on the sides of the nose, and called them "a common morphological variant of sebaceous follicles," meaning a normal form that oily pores take. The guide sebaceous filaments covers them in full.

Fine hairs. A 2025 study of nose blackheads in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology described one type where oil and skin cells gather around the fine hairs inside pores, making the hairs easier to see.

What the studies show

Research on pore strips is limited, and Skinli found no clinical trial of strips for ordinary blackheads. Three sources speak to them.

A report of two patients. In 2000, dermatologists in Japan wrote to the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology about two patients with nevus comedonicus. This is a rare condition where many plugged pores sit together in a patch. The doctors "used a pore strip cosmetic pack to eliminate the keratin plugs," with "excellent results." Keratin is the protein in skin cells. The report shows a strip can pull hard plugs out of pores. It involved two people with an uncommon condition, so it says little about everyday blackheads.

How fast pores refill. The 1976 study removed sebaceous filaments by pinching the skin or by a method using a skin glue that is pressed on and lifted off, which works in a similar way to a strip. It found: "Following the expression of the filament the follicle refills within 30 days." Expression means squeezing or pulling out. An emptied pore fills again within a month.

A warning about peel-off masks. The 2025 nose blackhead study says: "In some cases, patients attempt to remove blackheads at home by squeezing the nasal area or using peel-off masks." It warns that these methods can make the problem worse, "resulting in skin infections, further pore dilation, and capillary damage." Pore dilation means pores getting wider. Capillaries are the tiny blood vessels near the surface of the skin.

Why the nose fills up again

A strip removes what is in the pore on the day you use it. It leaves the reasons the pore filled in place. The 2025 nose blackhead study names three main reasons blackheads form on the nose: "excessive sebum production, reduced skin elasticity around the pores, and increased hair follicle volume." Sebum is the skin's natural oil. Elasticity is how firm and springy the skin is. Follicle volume is the size of the tube in the skin that holds a hair and its oil gland.

The oil gland keeps making oil after the strip comes off, and the lining of the pore keeps shedding cells. That is why the 1976 study found emptied pores refilled within 30 days, and why the AAD says blackheads "can return, so you'll need to follow a skin-care plan to prevent new blemishes."

The risks

• Irritation. The AAD's page on large pores says "Picking at, squeezing, or digging into your pores can also irritate your skin, making pores look more noticeable." A strip pulls on the same pores.
• More acne. The AAD's skin care habits page says: "Anytime you irritate your skin, you risk getting more acne."
• Infection and wider pores. The 2025 study lists both as results of peel-off masks and squeezing at home.
• Skin treated with a retinoid. The adapalene label says: "do not wax to remove hair in areas where the product has been applied." Waxing and strips both pull on the skin. Ask a pharmacist before using strips on skin you treat with adapalene or another retinoid.

If you still want to use a strip

Skinli's suggestions, based on the irritation risks above:

1. Follow the directions on the package, including how long to leave the strip on.
2. Skip strips on skin that is broken, sunburned, peeling or already irritated.
3. Skip strips on skin you treat with a retinoid, unless a pharmacist says otherwise.
4. Do not squeeze the pores after peeling. The AAD says squeezing a blackhead "can cause an infection or permanent scar."
5. Stop if your nose turns red, sore or raw, or if new bumps appear.

What clears nose blackheads for longer

The AAD's treatment for blackheads works from inside the pore over weeks: "To unclog pores, dermatologists recommend using a retinoid. You can buy one retinoid, adapalene, without a prescription. You'll also want to use a benzoyl peroxide wash." The AAD says to "Give treatment six to eight weeks to work."

A retinoid, the AAD says, "works to clear your pores, and can treat blackheads, whiteheads, and some pimples." Dermatologists may also recommend one "as a maintenance treatment" to keep skin clear once acne is under control.

Salicylic acid is the other option sold without a prescription. The AAD says it "works best on whiteheads and blackheads" because it unclogs pores and exfoliates the skin. The AAD's page on pores says "Some cleansers containing salicylic acid are gentle enough to use every day." The guide salicylic acid for blackheads covers it. For a nose-specific routine, see blackheads on the nose.

Gentle habits that help pores

The AAD's page on large pores gives habits that make pores less noticeable without pulling on them:

• Use products that will not clog pores. "The word 'non-comedogenic' means the product won't clog your pores. When pores clog, they expand, which can make your pores look more noticeable."
• Wash twice a day with warm water. The AAD says "Hot water can irritate your skin, causing pores to look larger."
• Wash gently. "Scrubbing can irritate your skin, causing inflammation. When skin is inflamed, pores tend to be more noticeable."
• Wear sunscreen every day. The AAD says sun damage makes skin less firm, and "When skin starts to lose its firmness, pores look more noticeable."

The guide does niacinamide shrink pores covers what studies show about pore size.

Strips, masks and tools compared

Method	What it does	What the sources say
Pore strip	Pulls surface plugs out of open pores	Removed keratin plugs in 2 patients with a rare condition (JAAD, 2000). Emptied pores refill within 30 days (1976 study).
Peel-off mask	Pulls surface plugs and dead skin as it peels	Can cause skin infections, wider pores and blood vessel damage when used at home (2025 study)
Metal extractor used at home	Presses plugs out of pores	Squeezing a blackhead can cause infection or a permanent scar (AAD)
Retinoid such as adapalene	Clears pores from inside over weeks	Recommended by dermatologists for blackheads (AAD)
Extraction by a dermatologist	Removes plugs with sterile tools	Safe when a dermatologist does it; blackheads can return (AAD)

The guide comedone extractors covers metal tools in detail.

When to see a dermatologist

See a dermatologist if blackheads on your nose remain after six to eight weeks of a retinoid or salicylic acid, if your pores look larger after using strips, or if the skin stays red or sore. The AAD says a dermatologist can remove blackheads with "sterile instruments," and that "When performed by a dermatologist, acne extraction is a safe way to get rid of blackheads and whiteheads." The guide how a dermatologist removes blackheads explains what that involves. Skinli gives general education and is not a doctor. For a plan built from a photo of your skin, try the free Skinli acne plan.