Blackheads can be annoying. Plus, they can be really unsightly. According to Healthline, blackheads are small, dark-colored bumps that appear on your skin due to clogged hair follicles. They appear on the nose and face, but they may also appear on the back, chest, neck, arms and shoulders. Even though there are plenty of treatments and products that claim to help remove and/or prevent blackheads, one go-to product is the pore strip.
What Are Pore Strips for Blackheads?
Pore strips are designed to remove blackheads from the nose. They do not minimize pores, but they pull out excess oil and dirt from the skin and leave the skin on the nose feeling softer and smoother. For many people, using pore strips to remove blackheads is really satisfying.
Pore strips are really good to use as part of your skincare pamper session, or as part of a skincare routine to keep your face clean and before applying makeup. Pore strips are a temporary solution to removing blackheads. For a much more permanent solution, it is better to use cleansers and clay masks that are formulated to eliminate blackheads.
How to Use Pore Strips
To use pore strips, follow these simple steps:
- Wet the skin on your nose.
- Take your pore strip, peel off the packaging and apply it to the nose, smooth side down.
- Leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Grip the edge of the pore strip and slowly peel off the nose.
How to Make Pore Strips at Home
Even though you can purchase pore strips from most drugstores and beauty retailers, you can make your own at home. It’s pretty easy to DIY and it is affordable.
To make your own pore strips at home, you will need a few simple ingredients:
- Egg whites
- A spoonful of honey
- Unflavoured gelatin
- Two tablespoons of milk
- A makeup brush
Step 1
Mix the ingredients together in a microwavable bowl until you achieve a thick consistency.
Step 2
Warm up the thick mixture in the microwave for a maximum of 30 seconds. Leave it to cool until the temperature is lukewarm.
Step 3
Once the mixture has cooled down, apply a layer of the mix over your nose with a makeup brush. Blackheads may also appear on the face so you can apply the mixture all over the face (and other parts of the body) if this is an issue but be careful; do not apply the mask to sensitive areas of your face and body.
Step 4
Leave the strip to dry for a maximum of 15 minutes. Once it’s dry, peel the mask off. Start at the edges and peel off slowly.
Step 5
Cleanse your face with cold water and your favourite cleanser to remove any excess residue and to completely clear the pores of dirt and impurities. Continue with the rest of your skincare routine (including toning, applying serum, moisturising and applying sunscreen).
How to Make Charcoal Pore Strips
Alternatively, you can make charcoal pore strips for blackheads at home. Many pore strips that you can find in stores contain charcoal, which helps to remove impurities from the skin and cleanse oily and spot-prone skin.
You will need:
- Activated charcoal
- Water
- Unflavoured gelatin
- Makeup brush
To make charcoal pore strips, you will first want to mix the water and unflavored gelatin together in a microwaveable mixing bowl and microwave for 30 seconds. Then, add the activated charcoal and mix in with the mixture. Leave the mixture to cool down completely.
After the mixture is ready, wet your nose and rinse your face. Then, using your makeup brush, apply the charcoal mixture on the nose and face and leave on until it is completely dry. Peel off the strip, starting from the edges, and wash off any excess residue.
When making your own pore strips at home, you could also add essential oils to help moisturise and soothe the skin, such as lavender, vitamin E, rosehip or grapeseed oil.
In Review
All in all, pore strips are really good for removing blackheads on the nose, but they do not eliminate blackheads or minimize pores. However, they are handy if you want to indulge in a pamper session, or if you want to keep your face completely clear.
You can find pore strips for blackheads at many drugstores and beauty retailers, or you can make them at home, which is easy, simple and affordable to do. And, if you make charcoal pore strips at home, you can easily remove blackheads from the skin as well as drawing out dirt and impurities from the pores, keeping the skin clean and clear. You should also use pore strips alongside a cleanser and as part of your skincare routine.
