Biore Pore Strips are great for making your pores less visible and giving you a smoother-looking complexion overall. If you've never used them before, we've got you covered. We interviewed FAAD board certified dermatologist Mohiba Tareen, MD, on the best ways to use Biore cleansing strips so you can get the results you want. Keep reading to get started!
Steps
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Wash your face with cleanser and warm water. According to Tareen, Biore cleansing strips “work best when they are used after cleansing your skin or when the skin.” Use a gentle, non-abrasive cleanser that doesn’t have alcohol, and avoid scrubbing your skin. [1] X Trustworthy Source American Academy of Dermatology Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists Go to source
- Alternatively, use an exfoliating cleanser to remove any surface dirt and the bulk of your blackheads. [2] X Trustworthy Source American Academy of Dermatology Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists Go to source
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Wet your nose with water or a damp towel. Tareen says that “moisture helps [your] pores open up and loosens any sebaceous filaments and blackheads, allowing for easier removal.” Additionally, your nose has to be wet for the Biore strip to become adhesive and stick to your skin. [3] X Research sourceAdvertisement
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Remove the strip from the packaging and bend it back and forth. Twist the strip to separate the slits on the backing. [4] X Research source
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Peel the shiny, plastic cover off the strip. Discard the plastic strip. Remember which side the plastic was on, since that is the side you will be placing against your skin. [5] X Research source
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Make sure that your nose is still wet, then place the strip against your nose. Dry your hands and apply the strip smooth side down. Position it so that the curved, arrow-like shape is pointing downward towards the tip of your nose. [6] X Research source
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Smooth the strip down against your nose using your fingers. If your nose is wet enough, the strip will stick to your skin. If there are any air bubbles that you can't smooth out, press down on them for a few minutes until they no longer pop up. You want the strip to be as flat as possible. [7] X Research source
- If the strip doesn't stick well to your skin, dampen your fingers and try to press the strip down against your nose.
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Let the strip dry on your nose for 10-15 minutes. It will begin to get hard, similar to paper maché. Try not to pick at it, or wrinkle your nose too much. [8] X Research source
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Grip one end of the strip and gently peel it off. Lift the strip up and away from your nose to remove your blackheads. Pull slowly and hold the surrounding skin taut to make it easier to peel off. Do not tear the strip off forcefully—it may cause skin abrasions and won't pull out most of the blackheads. [9] X Research source
- If the strip is painful to remove, you may have left it on for too long. Dip a cotton swap in some water, and place the tip against one of the edges of the strip. This will dampen the adhesive. Try to get part of the tip under the strip. Once you are able to get a good grip on the strip, put the cotton swap away and try to peel the strip off again.
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Rinse your nose using cool water and facial cleanser. The blackheads will be gone, but there might still be some sticky residue left on your nose from the Biore strip. Avoid using hot water, since this may irritate your skin. [10] X Trustworthy Source American Academy of Dermatology Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists Go to source
- Use a pore strip no more than once a week to avoid skin irritation, and make sure your skin is clean before applying it. [11] X Research source
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Purchase the Biore Deep Cleansing Pore Strips Combo pack. The Biore cleansing pore strips only include nose strips, which are not meant to be used on any other part of the face. You will need the combo pack so you can use the non-nose strips on your chin, cheeks, or forehead. [12] X Research source
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Wash your face with warm water and cleanser. Use a gentle face wash that doesn’t have alcohol in it. [13] X Trustworthy Source American Academy of Dermatology Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists Go to source If you have a lot of whiteheads or blackheads, consider using a cleanser with benzoyl peroxide. [14] X Trustworthy Source American Academy of Dermatology Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists Go to source
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Wet your skin with warm water or a damp towel. The strips will not stick on a dry nose, so thoroughly wet the areas where you have a lot of blackheads or clogged pores. [15] X Research source
- Tareen says that “moisture helps open the pores, making the blackheads easier to remove.”
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Remove the Biore face strip from its packaging. Make sure that your hands are dry, or you will activate the adhesive too soon. [16] X Research source
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Twist and bend the Biore strip. This will help separate the slits on the backing. [17] X Research source It will also help the strip adhere correctly to your chin, cheeks, or forehead.
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Peel the plastic backing off the strip. Remember which side the backing was on, since that will be the side that's going to be pressed against your skin. [18] X Research source
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Make sure that your skin is still wet, then press the strips down. Smooth the strip down against your skin, making sure to get rid of any air bubbles or wrinkles. If the strip is not sticking, dampen your fingers and try to smooth it down. [19] X Research source
- Avoid placing the strip too close to your eyes. The skin in that area is too sensitive for these strips. [20] X Research source
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Wait 10-15 minutes for the strips to dry. During this time, the strip will harden, like paper maché. Try not to move your face too much, or the Biore strip may start to peel off. For example, if you applied the strip on your forehead, try not to raise your eyebrows too much. [21] X Research source
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Gently peel the strips off. Once the strips are hard, grip one of the corners and carefully lift it away from your skin. Avoid tearing or ripping the strips off. [22] X Research source
- If you put a strip on your forehead, start peeling from both sides and work your way towards the middle.
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Rinse your face using cool water and facial cleaner. The Biore strips may leave behind some sticky residue, but cool water and facial cleanser can get rid of it. Avoid using hot or warm water, as you may irritate your skin barrier. [23] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
Expert Q&A
Video
Tips
- Make sure that your skin is wet before applying the strip. Biore strips do not stick to dry skin. [24] X Research sourceThanks
- If the strip is difficult to remove, wet the strip thoroughly and try to peel it off. [25] X Research sourceThanks
- Always wash your face before using Biore cleansing strips. Oily residue from makeup and creams may prevent the strips from sticking.Thanks
Warnings
- Do not leave the strips on overnight. This will not make them more effective.Thanks
- If the strip causes irritation, discontinue use.Thanks
- If you are using any prescribed medication for acne, ask your doctor before using the strips.Thanks
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Thanks
- Do not use Biore strips on your skin if you have swollen, sunburned, excessively dry skin, severe acne, or skin prone to spider veins. [27] X Research sourceThanks
Things You'll Need
- Biore Pore Strips
- Water
- Facial cleanser
Expert Interview
Thanks for reading our article! If you'd like to learn more about acne treatment, check out our in-depth interview with Mohiba Tareen, MD .
References
- ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-basics/care/face-washing-101
- ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-secrets/routine/safely-exfoliate-at-home
- ↑ https://www.biore.com/en-ca/products/deep-cleansing-pore-strips/
- ↑ https://www.biore.com/en-ca/products/deep-cleansing-pore-strips-ultra/
- ↑ https://www.biore.com/en-ca/products/deep-cleansing-pore-strips-ultra/
- ↑ https://www.biore.com/en-ca/products/deep-cleansing-pore-strips-ultra/
- ↑ https://www.biore.com/en-ca/products/deep-cleansing-pore-strips-ultra/
- ↑ https://www.biore.com/en-ca/products/deep-cleansing-pore-strips/
- ↑ https://www.biore.com/en-ca/products/deep-cleansing-pore-strips/
- ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-secrets/face/treat-large-pores
- ↑ https://blog.ochsner.org/articles/are-you-stripping-away-at-your-beauty-with-pore-strips
- ↑ https://www.biore.com/en-gb/products/deep-cleansing-pore-strips-combo/
- ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-basics/dry/oily-skin
- ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/acne/diy/types-breakouts
- ↑ https://www.biore.com/en-gb/products/deep-cleansing-pore-strips-combo/
- ↑ https://www.biore.com/en-gb/products/deep-cleansing-pore-strips-combo/
- ↑ https://www.biore.com/en-ca/products/deep-cleansing-pore-strips-ultra/
- ↑ https://www.biore.com/en-gb/products/deep-cleansing-pore-strips-combo/
- ↑ https://www.biore.com/en-gb/products/deep-cleansing-pore-strips-combo/
- ↑ https://www.biore.com/en-ca/products/deep-cleansing-pore-strips-ultra/
- ↑ https://www.biore.com/en-gb/products/deep-cleansing-pore-strips-combo/
- ↑ https://www.biore.com/en-gb/products/deep-cleansing-pore-strips-combo/
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8778033/
- ↑ https://www.biore.com/en-ca/products/deep-cleansing-pore-strips-ultra/
- ↑ https://www.biore.com/en-ca/products/deep-cleansing-pore-strips-ultra/
- ↑ https://blog.ochsner.org/articles/are-you-stripping-away-at-your-beauty-with-pore-strips
- ↑ https://www.biore.com/en-ca/products/deep-cleansing-pore-strips-ultra/
About This Article
To use Biore pore cleansing strips, start by dampening your nose with a wet cloth to open up your pores. Remove the strip from its packaging and tear off the shiny strip on the back to expose the adhesive. Then, position the strip on your nose with the arrow pointing downwards towards the tip. Smooth out the strip over your nose with your fingers, then leave it in place for 10 to 15 minutes. When you’re ready to remove the strip, gently lift up one end and peel it off slowly, which is the best way to remove all of the blackheads. If you can’t get your finger under the strip, dampen a Q-tip and hold it against the strip to soften the adhesive before trying to peel it back again. After you’ve removed the strip, give your nose a final wash with cool water and cleanser to get rid of any residue. For tips on how to use Biore pore strips on other parts of your face, keep reading!
Reader Success Stories
- "This article informed as to which side of a Biore strip was supposed to be applied to skin. For most effective product results, use sticky-smooth side down. " ..." more