The satisfaction of peeling off a pore strip vs. enlarged pores… How do you manage blackheads?
Blackheads are sebum inside the pores that looks dark after oxidizing when it comes into contact with air. Pulling them out with a pore strip feels satisfying in the moment, but they fill back up quickly, too.
That’s why these days, many people manage them by “dissolving” rather than “pulling them out.” This means gently loosening them with oil-soluble BHA (salicylic acid) or cleansing oil.
Common ingredients that dissolve sebum
Examples of products that dissolve sebum
코스알엑스코스알엑스 BHA Blackhead Power Liquid
아누아어성초 포어 컨트롤 클렌징 오일Poll
What’s your go-to for managing blackheads?
- Pull them out with pore strips
- Dissolve them with BHA
- Massage with cleansing oil
- Just coexist with them
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I admit peeling off pore strips feels satisfying, but it turns out not every dot you see on your nose is a blackhead. Small, evenly distributed gray or yellow dots across the nose may be sebaceous filaments. Rather than trying to get rid of them completely, it’s more realistic to manage them so they look less noticeable.
I’d wash with a gentle cleanser and start with a salicylic acid (BHA) product at a low frequency. Concentrations vary by product, so follow the directions, and take a break if it stings or causes peeling. For cleansing oil, gently roll it over your dry face for a short time, then wet your face to emulsify it and rinse. There’s no need to rub hard or massage for a long time every day.
It’s hard to say that using pore strips occasionally will permanently enlarge your pores, but peeling them off forcefully and often can irritate your skin, making it look red and rough. I vote for resisting the urge to peel them off, at least for a little while 😅
Editor's tip: When rolling cleansing oil over your nose, 30 seconds to 1 minute is enough. Rubbing for too long can actually make your skin red.