DIY pore patches: why experts say to avoid them + what to do instead

First, a note about pore strips: Even store-bought strips can be, well, stripping. As a certified dermatologist Hadley King, M.Dsaid mbg earlier, they can be irritating if you’re not super careful. “Adhesives can cause skin trauma, so utilize them carefully and follow instructions,” he says. And sure, exfoliating a strip of pores can be quite satisfying, but it doesn’t actually do anything to stop blackheads from dusting your nose. “Pore strips can temporarily remove the top layers of dead skin cells, but they will do nothing to prevent blackheads from forming,” adds King. (To get to the root of these plugs, a good exfoliation treatment is best).