The following are some of the reasons why DIY pore strips are preferable:
Homemade pore strips cover your entire face. They are an inexpensive alternative to drugstore pore strips. Their ingredients are all-natural. They do not contain any artificial components like chemicals and fragrances.
Now that you know why many people prefer homemade pore strips, check out the next section to learn how to make them.
DIY Pore Strips To Get Rid Of Blackheads
1. Egg White Pore Strips
Egg whites are said to tighten your pores temporarily. They minimize the probability of new blackheads formation and remove the existing ones. They are also nutrient-dense and less abrasive. Egg whites may also help in removing the dead skin cells clogging your pores. However, there is no scientific proof to back these claims. What You Need
1 egg white A paper towel A bowl
What To Do
2. Sugar And Honey Strips
Honey preserves the skin’s moisture and softens it (1). Sugar’s abrasive texture acts as a natural exfoliator. When these two ingredients are combined, they may form an effective pore strip. What You Need
3 tablespoons of granulated sugar 2 tablespoons of honey
What To Do
3. Baking Soda Strips
Baking soda is claimed to be an effective skin exfoliant for blackheads. However, it has the potential to dry out your skin, which may cause irritation and rashes. Also, there is not much research on the impact of baking soda on the skin. What You Need
½ tablespoon of baking soda ½ cup lukewarm water A paper towel A bowl
What To Do
4. Gelatin Pore Strips
This recipe uses gelatin to help simulate the sticky sensation and peel-off action of store-bought pore strips. Milk may help moisturize the skin. What You Need
1 tablespoon of gelatin powder 1 tablespoon of milk A bowl
What To Do
5. Honey And Cinnamon Strips
Honey has antioxidant, antifungal, and antibacterial properties (1). Cinnamon may help tighten pores while also hydrating the skin, though there is no scientific evidence to prove the same. This mixture may help you get rid of blackheads while leaving you with healthy skin. What You Need
Honey 1 teaspoon cinnamon powder Cotton strips A bowl
What To Do Note: Avoid your brows, hairline, and any part of the skin that is sensitive when applying these home remedies. Also, do a patch test on your forearm before applying these DIY pore strips to your face. Avoid using them on inflamed, swollen, or irritated skin. After using these DIY pore strips, follow the aftercare tips given below to nourish and protect your skin.
Aftercare Tips
Aftercare involves icing and toning the skin. Rub an ice cube all over the affected area after using a DIY pore strip to close your pores. If you are not comfortable with ice cubes, you can use cold water. Once that, you can resume your normal skin care routine, such as using sunscreen or moisturizer. If your skin is oily, make sure to exfoliate once a week. Including this step in your skin care routine will help to ensure that your skin is clear, smooth, and clean.
Cassandra Bankson, a skin care expert and medical esthetician, adds, “Make sure you are protecting the skin! A good serum, such as one containing salicylic acid, can prevent blackheads and acne from reappearing and prevent those pores from “filling up” with more sebum/oil as quickly. Afterward, be sure to use sunscreen. Pore strips are exfoliating, and you definitely don’t want to do this before you go outside or sit in front of a window. Protect your nose with sunscreen as this is a common area that skin cancer can form, and remember that exfoliation should always be followed up with protection.” Some household ingredients can irritate your skin by being abrasive. Let’s learn about them in detail in the next section.
DIY Treatments For Blackheads To Avoid Altogether
1. Toothpaste
Toothpaste is a well-known hack for removing blackheads. It may contain some blackhead-fighting components. But it also has unpleasant compounds that can irritate the skin. Dermatologists do not recommend using toothpaste to eliminate blackheads because it can seriously irritate and damage your skin.
2. Glue
The stickiness of glue imitates the sticky nature of traditional pore strips. However, it is not safe for human skin. It may clog your pores even more. Glue can get attached to not only your blackheads but also the natural sebum and moisture and strip them away from your skin, thus drying it out.
3. Duct Tape
Most people use duct tape for its adhesive properties to remove blackheads. However, skin care professionals strongly advise against using tape on the skin. Apart from failing to remove blackheads, it may further aggravate your skin.
The Final Takeaway
Pore strips are among the most popular and effective blackhead treatments available today. These strips stick to comedones and pull them off as you peel them. Homemade pore strips are a good alternative to commercial pore strips. They are natural and a quick and effective way of eradicating blackheads. However, they should be used with caution. Test them on your forearm before applying them to your face. Discontinue using them if you see any signs of inflammation. Should you squeeze sebum out of pores? No. Never try to squeeze sebum out of your pores because it can injure your skin and increase the risk of scarring. When I squeeze my nose pores why does white stuff come out? This white stuff is called a sebaceous filament that comprises sebum, dead skin cells, and dirt. It is best not to squeeze them out as that may scratch and injure the skin. What can I use instead of nose pore strips? You can use peel-off masks, gels, or cleansing face washes containing salicylic acid, which will penetrate deep into the pores and unclog them. Why you shouldn’t use pore strips? Despite all their benefits, pore strips can be damaging for sensitive, thin skin. They hurt your skin and can even pull out your skin and facial hair when used excessively. How often should you use nose strips? Limit the use of nose strips to once per week. Pore strips can be abrasive when overused and can cause redness and irritation.
