The 10 Best Blackhead Removal Tools for Clear Skin This Summer, According to Dermatologists (2024)

$18

$18

Blackheads can appear all over your face — not just on your nose. Unfortunately, most pore strips are only designed for the nose. Mighty Patch Face Patch isn’t like most pore strips, though. Inside the pack you’ll find five de-gunking hydrocolloid patches: One for your forehead, nose, and chin, and two for your cheeks. Gingerly stick them to their designated areas before heading to bed. They’ll draw out blackheads and other pimple residue come morning.

Editor testing and review notes: “Hero Cosmetics makes some of the best pimple patches on the market, and these blackhead remover patches follow suit. Unlike similar options, these have a strong hold on the skin once you adhere them, meaning you can easily go about your chores or doze off for a long night sleep without worrying about them sliding off your skin. I’m always impressed at how quickly they clear my pores, particularly if I use an exfoliating serum before sticking one on.”

What testers say: “I have tried many types of patches for my pimples around my face and blackheads around my nose area and it works wonders. Simple to use, wash your face, fully dry and place them on my face. I prefer to do it when I am ready to go to bed and remove them early in the morning. Clear skin literally overnight!”

Price upon publish date of this article:$18

$35

$35

This Paula’s Choice exfoliating liquid has attained a cult-like following for the way it smooths out texture, fades dark spots, and remedies blackheads. TikTok and Sephora shoppers wax poetic about how it dramatically changes skin for the better, but they aren’t the only ones who love it. Dr. Mian is also a huge fan. She says that this face exfoliator is an excellent salicylic acid exfoliator that gradually transforms acne-prone, combination, and even dry skin. Make sure not to use it too often to avoid irritating your skin: Patting it onto your face once a week after cleansing is sufficient to reap the benefits.

What testers say: “I have been using this product for a few months now and can see a noticeable difference in how clean my pores are. I never knew how people kept their noses free of blackheads but this is the secret. Don’t use it every day because it will mess with your skin barrier. I alternate this, retinol, and hydration nights with slugging and my skin looks so much better. No scent and it dries down well.”

Price upon publish date of this article:$35

$109

$109

$109

Tavernise raves about the Dermaflash Pore Extractor because its sensitive skin-friendly two-in-one design clears out pores with minimal pressure and helps serums perform better. “This esthetician-recommended innovative tool cleans and unclogs pores, and can also be used with your favorite serum to penetrate more deeply,” she says. “Boosted ultrasonic speed and ionic technology easily and painlessly extract dirt, oil, and blackheads, making pores look smaller instantly.” For removing blackheads, spritz the included Prep Mist all over your face and switch on the extract mode. Then, hold the skin taut and glide the tool along congested areas. Debris will build up on the spatula as blackheads become unlodged. Before switching to the infuse mode, wipe off the tip and apply a hydrating or brightening serum. Slowly swipe the flat edge of the tool all over your face to enhance absorption.
Editor testing and review notes: “I’m usually partial to chemical blackhead removers versus tool, but this one is a great gentle option for folks who want to manually clear out their skin. It has a subtle vibration to it that helps degunk my pores without turning my skin red after use, and the design is ultra-easy to clean between uses.”

What testers say: “I have (had) tons of sebaceous filaments on my chin, nose, and cheeks made to look worse due to my larger pores. Immediately after using this device I thought holy cow what have i done… it does make your pores look HUGE afterwards… but following up with a nice toner and a sheet mask calmed my skin down. After two extraction sessions and nightly infusion sessions my skin is glowing and my pores are nonexistent. I feel confident enough to leave the house without any makeup!”

Price upon publish date of this article: $109

$8.99

If you’ve been tempted to try out pore strips after watching a satisfying pore strip removal videos on TikTok, Dr. Landriscina encourages you to pick up these from Bioré. “They use patented C-bond technology which preferentially binds to blackheads and sebaceous filaments when exposed to water,” he says. “When used correctly, they’re able to remove blackheads without damaging surrounding skin.”

The strips will only work on damp skin, so after thoroughly cleansing your face re-wet your nose. Press the strip onto your nose and wait 10 to 15 minutes for it to dry before carefully peeling it off. Then, prepare to be amazed (and maybe a little disgusted) by all of the gunk that comes out.

What testers say: “I have suffered with enlarged pores and blackheads, especially on my nose area, ever since having my son, who is now 5. I have tried multiple products but have not gotten the results I receive from Bioré. They are very easy to apply and peel off! They do not hurt when you peel it off or leave my sensitive skin red/irritated. I could see all it pulled out on the pad and it was very satisfying! Finally a bump free nose!”

Price upon publish date of this article:$8.99

$24

$24

$24

Dr. Mian emphasizes the importance of removing blackheads gently to prevent damaging the skin barrier. She recommends using products with chemical exfoliants, particularly salicylic acid. “Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid that is a small enough molecule to go into your pores and clean them out in a way that does not trigger inflammation,” she says. This handy stick from Peace Out contains salicylic acid — along with a blend of AHAs, kaolin clay, and mushroom extract — to really expel deep blackheads. Swipe the fast-acting scrubby mask along problem areas, like the T-zone, and leave it on for 10 minutes before rinsing. The cleansing, exfoliating, and nourishing formula refines the look of pores, mattifies skin, and helps prevent future breakouts.

What testers say: “I’ve tried everything for the blackheads on my nose down to mixing raw apple cider vinegar with Moroccan clay powder as a mask (works well btw) so I went out on a limb trying this one. It’s much easier and quicker, and it’s perfect for travel. I have shallow but wide pores on my nose, a prime spot for unsatisfying blackheads. This not only cleaned them out but my pores look smaller after.”

Price upon publish date of this article: $24

$12.64$17.3927% off

$17.39

“I like salicylic acid cleansers as a blackhead remedy since they tend to be less irritating than leave-on exfoliants,” says Dr. Landriscina. “A favorite of mine is Neutrogena’s Stubborn Texture Cleanser.” Specially formulated to even out rough texture and diminish acne, this face wash for oily skin combines a gentle yet powerful mix of 1 percent salicylic acid with 2 percent glycolic acid and polyhydroxy acid. Washing with this can reduce persistent blemishes and leave acne-prone skin soft and clear.

What testers say: “I use it a few times a week and I have very oily skin. My mom uses it like once a week. It has helped both of us a lot. Definitely, you need to use a moisturizer if you are going to use this. We have also found it useful on our body acne.”

Price upon publish date of this article:$12.64

Product Type: Facial tool
Pros: It replicates the effects of a highly sought-after professional treatment
Cons: It won’t operate correctly if it doesn’t stay upright
Amazon Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.6/5 stars
Ulta Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.7/5 stars
Nordstrom Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.8/5 stars

$159$19920% off

$199

$199

This Glofacial Pore Cleansing Tool from Beautybio is the closest thing to an at-home Hydrafacial. The device siphons out dirt, oil, grime, makeup, and blackheads (which you can see in the chamber after you’re done), while simultaneously infusing the skin with a salicylic acid and hyaluronic acid concentrate. Why these two ingredients, you ask? Salicylic acid unclogs pores and gently exfoliates to prevent future breakouts, and hyaluronic acid plumps the skin and helps it retain moisture, enhancing the all-over glow post-treatment. Before turning it on, fill the left chamber with a mixture of water and the included concentrate, then slowly swipe it along your face and areas of congestion.

Editor testing and review notes: “I’ve tested out this Beautybio facial kit during the holiday season when I wanted a radiant skin look, quick: I’ve had professional Hydrafcials before and always love the glowing, clean-feeling results post-facial. This set makes it easy to DIY a similar treatment at home with its solution and dual-chambered device. It can be hard to use around narrow contours of the face (near the nose), but it’s genius for clearing out pores on the forehead, chin, and cheeks.”

What testers say: “Over the years I’ve paid to get a facial every few months. But recently I moved from humidity-filled Florida to dry-as-can-be Colorado. My skin hated me for that. I live in such a small town, that it would take me 3 hours to get to a decent person to do a facial, so I got the next best thing. I absolutely love my GLOfacial Hydro-Infusion Deep Pore Cleaning Tool. After I shower, I use this and my skin is glowing. Not gonna lie, the stuff that comes out is so gross. My husband even notices a difference and compliments my skin after I use it. This product is well worth it.”

Price upon publish date of this article:$159

$7$1450% off

$14

$14

This skin care tool may not have all of the bells and whistles of some high-tech devices, but it still manages to efficiently clear out blackheads without breaking the bank. The barebones Tweezerman No-Slip Skin Care Tool has two loops on either end — the larger for whiteheads and the smaller for blackheads. To use, thoroughly clean your skin and the tool, then place the little ring around your blackhead and apply ultra-gentle pressure. This will lightly pop the filament out of your pore without damaging the skin around it. Tavernise suggests applying a warm compress to the area before going in with the tool to loosen the blackhead and draw impurities to the surface for easier extraction. Make sure to sanitize the tool as well as your skin after use.

What testers say: “This works nicely. I pick at my skin pretty compulsively, sometimes using sharper tools like tweezers or bobby pins. This helps me pop consciously – since getting it, I’ve been picking at things less and being more gentle when I do.”

Price upon publish date of this article:$14

$254.15$29915% off

$299

$299

PMD Beauty’s microdermabrasion tool has completely taken over TikTok with over 537 million views and counting. People are enamored with this TikTok-famous beauty product as it physically exfoliates skin with tiny crystal discs and how the gentle suction gets rid of dead skin cells, sebum, and other pore-cloggers. Consistent use once a week can lead to smooth, glowing skin.

The handheld device comes with four types of disc attachments of varying exfoliation intensities, so you can customize the treatment to fit your skin’s needs. Beginners should start with the sensitive skin-safe option and work their way up as they become accustomed to the treatment. For extracting blackheads specifically, slide your disc of choice into the chamber and screw on the blackhead cap. Then gently glide it along areas of congestion. The tool will suck out grime and trap it in the cap (you can actually see how effective it is once you’re done).

What testers say: “If your expectations are reasonable, you will probably enjoy this product. It’s not going to give you the same result as going to the salon, but the price point is vastly different. I see a significant difference in my forehead, a place where I have a tendency to break out with blemishes. Unfortunately, I haven’t seen much difference in the size of my nose pores. I’ve had the product for over a month now, using it several times a week, and I am pleased by the construction and sturdiness of the item.”

Price upon publish date of this article:$254.15

$80

Instead of picking and prodding at your skin to squeeze out blackheads, let Skin Gym’s Lumiscrub do the work for you. The unique vibrating skin spatula merges microcurrent and ionic technologies that gently wriggle out blackheads, sebaceous filaments, and dead skin. As it deep cleans, it also supplies a relaxing facial massage, making the tedious task more enjoyable. Once you’re done de-gunking, flip it over to the flat side to help your serums and moisturizers sink deeper into skin.

What testers say: “This product does exactly what it says that it’s going to do. It removes blackheads and accumulated sebum. After you get done cleaning your face, flip it over and put on your favorite moisturizer. I believe with the slight warmth and vibration that this produces, product is more easily pushed into the skin.”

Price upon publish date of this article:$80