Pore strips have been around since the ’90s and were quite the at-home spa night staple in their heyday. Though you might think pore strips are a safe way to remove blackheads from your nose and treat large pores, they can potentially cause more harm than good. Before you plaster that sticky strip across your nose, follow along as we answer some crucial questions about the safety of pore strips, including:

• How do pore strips work?

• Are pore strips bad for your skin?

• Are pore strips safe for those with skin conditions?

• Can removing blackheads on the nose lead to infection?

• What are some safer alternatives to pore strips?

How do pore strips work?

The selling point of pore strips is that they reportedly unclog pores on your nose by removing dirt, oil and blackheads with an adhesive that sticks to the surface of your skin. “In reality, pore strips often remove just the top of blackheads, along with healthy skin cells,” says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Joel Schlessinger. “That’s what you’ll see when you remove a pore strip from your nose.”

Are pore strips bad for your skin?

Pore strips are not a great choice for removing blackheads or cleaning clogged pores on your nose because the adhesive can cause collateral damage to your skin. “I don’t recommend using pore strips because the adhesive can cause skin irritation, including redness and flakiness,” says Dr. Schlessinger. “They can even cause other issues such as broken capillaries around the nose or even small tears in the skin that could lead to scarring.”

Are pore strips safe for those with skin conditions?

Not only are pore strips bad for those with sensitive skin, they can also worsen other skin conditions. “Pore strips can exacerbate rosacea-prone skin, especially if they contain irritating ingredients such as alcohol and astringents,” Dr. Schlessinger says. “They can also aggravate extremely dry skin, eczema and psoriasis.”

What are the dangers of using pore strips?

While no one wants clogged pores, trying to unclog pores with blackhead strips can actually leave your nose pores more susceptible to infection because they may collect bacteria and dirt and become infected. At the first sign of an infected pore—inflammation, tenderness and pus-filled sores—see your dermatologist to prevent lasting damage and scarring.

6 alternatives to pore strips

If you’re looking to improve blackheads and clogged pores, there are safer alternatives to pore strips that Dr. Schlessinger recommends using on your nose. Here are a few options to consider:

LovelySkin LUXE Clarifying Gel Cleanser

Keeping your skin clear of blackheads and blocked pores really starts with cleansing. This facial cleansing gel contains pore-clearing glycolic acid and salicylic acid along with afaLUXE™, a dermatologist-developed molecule of amino-based filaggrin antioxidants with vitamin C and Dead Sea minerals that helps boost cellular turnover and sweep away the dead skin cells and debris that can clog pores. The result? Fewer breakouts and smaller-looking pores without skin feeling dry or tight.

HydroPeptide Bambusa Blackhead Banisher Pore Perfecting Nose Mask

This mask features the convenience of a nose strip without the harmful adhesive. Instead of simply pulling out the contents of a pore and risking damage, this purifying face mask minimizes pore appearance by exfoliating the skin with volcanic ash and charcoal powder. This approach clears pores without drying out skin and gently lifts from the skin to prevent irritation.

LovelySkin LUXE Acne Care Gel

Also featuring the exfoliating power of afaLUXE™ along with salicylic and glycolic acids, this acne treatment gel helps tame existing breakouts and prevent future ones by keeping pores clear. It also improves the skin’s ability to maintain moisture and stimulates collagen production, which can result in younger, softer-looking skin over time.

Obagi CLENZIderm MD Pore Therapy

To prevent pores from becoming infected, keep them clear by using a treatment with salicylic acid like this facial toner by Obagi. It purifies skin and leaves the complexion completely clean. Using this toner after cleansing prevents breakouts, minimizes the appearance of pores and gets rid of impurities.

Dermaflash Dermapore+ Ultrasonic Pore Extractor & Skincare Infuser

This skin care device uses ultrasonic wave technology to help remove dead skin cells and debris from your skin to reduce blackheads, whiteheads and clogged pores. It features a curved stainless steel spatula that you gently press onto your skin after applying a soothing prep mist formulated with hydrating hyaluronic acid and nourishing ceramides. In addition, it also helps remove excess oil and exfoliates dry, flaky skin.

Dermalogica Clear Start Blackhead Clearing Fizz Mask

This fizzy face mask will make for a fun alternative to pore strips at your next at-home spa night. After you apply it to your skin, it takes on a foamy texture to oxygenate your skin while kaolin clay and white sulfur help absorb the excess oil that can lead to clogged pores and breakouts. Apple fruit extract helps hydrate skin, leaving it feeling soft and smooth.

Looking for even more safe alternatives to pore strips? You can read about the best exfoliators, peels and face masks to help clear clogged nose pores on the LovelySkin Blog.