This charcoal-infused strip from Ulta impressed our tester all around, especially when it came to the fit. " It's designed with small slits which allow the strip to fit snugly and contour my nose more than others," says our tester. "While wearing the strip, I felt no discomfort whatsoever. I could talk without noticing I had the strip on my nose. As I removed it, there was no discomfort at all," they add. Because the strip reached every angle, it pulled out small and large filaments alike on the top and sides of the nose, leaving our tester smooth and very satisfied. Plus, there was no redness — only a slight residue that easily came off with water. Whether you’re already a big fan of the brand’s iconic Mighty Patch or you simply want to clean up your nose pores, Mighty Patch Nose We first consulted several dermatologists to learn how to safely use pore strips and what features to look for and avoid. With their advice, we rounded up 14 promising products in a range of sizes and ingredients to suit different skin types and needs. Our nine testers then put these products to the test by replicating the process one would follow at home — cleansing their skin, then following the specific instructions on how to apply the strips. After waiting the recommended amount of time and removing each strip, they rated every product on a scale of 1 to 5 on ease of use, comfort, irritation, and how much gunk the strips actually removed. Once all the numbers were in, we narrowed down the original selection to the seven best pore strips.

The Byrdie team carefully researched today's top-rated, best-selling pore strips before selecting 14 to try out first-hand. After inspecting the ingredients lists, intended uses, and guidelines, each option was applied according to the instructions. The application was somewhat intricate, but felt like a bandaid on our skin — noticeable, but not uncomfortable. Using hydrocolloid (a fluid-absorbing gel), this patch creates a barrier on the skin which traps oil and dirt around acne spots, and then lifts it from the skin when removed. The best part? The patch turns white as it pulls gunk out of your skin so you can see the results clearly. Another common ingredient in pore strips is charcoal, which is supposed to further help draw out oil and impurities from the skin. However, Dr. Schaffran says it's not clear how effective charcoal really is at absorbing oil. "There is little to no evidence to substantiate the claims that skincare companies are making about the use of activated charcoal in products." she says. While it is too early to confirm the benefits of charcoal, it is unlikely to be truly harmful. You can determine your own level of comfort with this ingredient. Our tester liked the feel of all three products, saying the nose strip has "zero feeling on your skin even though you know it is applied," and the acne dots blend into your skin and have zero irritation during and after use. While this kit is also in the pricier range, we believe the cost matches the value, and that those with oily and acne prone skin will benefit from this 3-in-1 system intended to stop acne before, during, and after it forms. When your pores are having a bad day and are looking more noticeable than usual, the Mighty Patch Nose can easily draw out all the gunk from your pores, as seen in @itsdaraj‘s TikTok, which has garnered over 366,000 views. Simply put it on at night and peel the patch off the next morning to admire (or shudder at, depending on your threshold for gross things) the fabulous work it did, all while you were sound asleep. The TikToker says, “That is revolting in the best way possible,” as she pulls the patch off after wearing it overnight. Even without her removing it from her nose, viewers can see all of the white spots (a.k.a. the gunk) on the strip. Again, gross, but also super impressive.

How to use?

Madison Yauger is a commerce writer who is experienced at covering beauty, home, travel, and other lifestyle areas. Her work has appeared in many outlets, including Food & Wine, Real Simple, and Health. To compile this review, she considered out testers' reports on products' attributes like efficacy and comfort. While researching pore strips, we spoke with Morgan Rabach M.D. I have been using these strips on my chin once or twice a month since the last update and I have to say that my skin looks the best it ever has,” wrote one reviewer. “Once this product clears your skin, it keeps it that way!!” There was residue left over on our skin after we removed these strips (but it could be easily cleaned)

With their advice, we compiled a list of 7 promising pore strips and sent nine testers to try them out in our lab and at home. Following the products' instructions, the testers rated each strip on ease of use, comfort, and efficacy. Hero's Mighty Patch for the Nose earned a perfect score and our Best Overall spot since there was no pain or irritation involved and it left our tester's skin poreless. Many pore strips are designed with your nose in mind since that's where the bulk of oil and grime builds up throughout the day. These strips are shaped with an almost wavy design to fit the contours of your nose. However, there are also pore strips designed for other areas of the face — such as the T zone (forehead, chin) and cheeks. These strips usually have a rectangular design to cover the most surface area and lift oil from your skin. This T-Zone-friendly strip effectively and comfortably pulled sebaceous materials from our tester's skin without issue. She said the "strips stiffened as expected" and she "could talk and emote without feeling uncomfortable or [being] aware of them."Overall our team loved how effectively this pore strip worked to remove oil and grime from pores. "I would use this strip again!" our tester exclaimed. "My nose and forehead both felt very smooth afterward. It's also fun to use because it makes a little octopus on your nose going up to your forehead." This unscented and playful pore strip is our favorite option for those on a budget. As Dr. Rabach mentions, pore strips — when overused or used on damaged skin — can cause minor skin irritations, so you shouldn't use pore strips more than once a week, she says. Of course, each type of strip (or acne dot!) may have varying instructions, but as a general rule, once a week is a good schedule to go by.

Many pore strips are made of hydrocolloid, a healing substance that seals the skin absorbs fluids, and draws out impurities. Others contain a blend of hydrocolloid and other absorbent ingredients, like kaolin and lava clay. Some patches are infused with natural soothers, such as aloe vera and witch hazel. Purvisha Patel, MD, FAAD, FASDS, FACMS, is a board-certified dermatologist, a cosmetic surgeon, and the founder of Visha Skincare. I was surprised at how much I liked this strip. For a store brand, I found the quality to be really great," our tester said. She also compared it to other popular pore strips and noted that it costs less but is just as effective. In particular, she loved the custom fit of these strips so it "can fit a range of noses." Hadley King, MD, FAAD, is a sought-after board-certified dermatologist in New York City. She specializes in cosmetic and medical treatments. This depends on the type of pore strip. Hydrocolloid patches can be left on for several hours or overnight. However, traditional pore strips that attach to wet skin should be removed once they're completely dry and stiff—usually about 10 to 15 minutes after applying them.

Perfectly on the nose

With all the beauty products that contain charcoal these days, it seems the ingredient and pore-declogging go hand-in-hand. "Because charcoal is highly absorbent, the idea is that when you put it on your skin, it will act as a micro sponge to trap the oil and sebum on the surface of your skin," says board-certified dermatologist and co-founder of BalmLabs, Robin Schaffran, M.D. The chin strip separated from our skin around the edges after a little time (but the forehead strip stayed intact)