Pore strips have become a popular method of clearing clogged pores and removing blackheads. However, they can also cause a lot of irritation, there’s often a lot of yanking, pulling and maybe some tears involved because it hurts when you’re stretching your skin.
Although pore strips can be very satisfying to see the sebum and blackheads all lined up perfectly on a strip, there are plenty of gentle, yet effective options that can help you unclog your pores and get rid of blackheads just the same, without all the irritation involved.
Effective Pore Strip Alternatives
1. Salicylic Acid and Glycolic Acid
Instead of pore strips, consider using salicylic acid and glycolic acid. These two types of hydroxy acids (aka chemical exfoliants) help dissolve excess oil and dead skin cells, making them great for clearing open comedones like blackheads.
Glycolic/Salicylic Acid 10/2 Acne Control Pads
2. Retinoids
Retinoids are derived from vitamin A and speed up cell turnover, which is great for us because it decreases the chance of dead skin cells and makeup mixing with oil and bacteria to clog our pores. Usually, you need to use it for a few weeks before you start noticing a difference, but I assure you it’s worth the wait, plus they are amazing as an anti-aging ingredient.
Admire My Skin Potent Retinoid Cream
3. Charcoal Masks
Charcoal masks work by absorbing dirt and oil from your skin, helping to remove impurities and reduce the appearance of blackheads. There are peel-off charcoal masks that work similarly to pore strips but are more gentle so you could use them on your whole face if you needed to.
Pro Tip: Choose a gentle charcoal mask you can use once or twice a week as the more consistent you are, it’s not only the physical act of pulling the whiteheads and blackheads from your skin but the minerals in charcoal that help you remove impurities before they become blemishes on your skin.
4. Konjac Sponges
We all know exfoliation goes a long way, but if you’re looking for gentle exfoliation to remove the whiteheads from your skin, Konjac sponges are a great alternative to pore strips because they are eco-friendly and very gentle in nature.
They might not be as dramatic as pore strips but over time they are sure to make a difference.
myHomeBody Natural Konjac Facial Sponges
5. Pore Vacuums
Pore Vacuums also known as blackhead vacuums are basically designed to suck out all the gunk and dirt within your pores. It’s a better way to physically remove comedones such as blackheads and whiteheads without having to use your fingers which could add bacteria to your skin and cause pimples and it can really be a deep cleanse if used correctly.
They often come with various suction levels and nozzles to address specific areas of the face or types of impurities. Depending on what you need as everyone’s face is different after all.
6. Peeling Gels
Another way to gently exfoliate your skin with a lovely cooling sensation, peeling gels just require you to rub a solution on your skin which causes dead skin cells to gently rub away into little balls off your face. They are a great alternative for people with sensitive skin as it is neither a harsh chemical or scrub that causes irritation and focuses a lot on keeping your skin moisturized whilst exfoliating it at the same time.
MOTHER MADE Exfoliating Vegan Facial Peeling Solution
