Homemade Pore Strips
Have you ever tried those Biore blackhead pore strips from the drugstore? They work great but they can be expensive. I'm going to show you how to make your own homemade version for just pennies and with one ingredient.
Here's what you need:
Knox gelatin. You can find it in the baking section of your supermarket. It's near the Jello. Make sure you get plain unflavored gelatin and don't buy actual Jello. You can also buy it on Amazon.
Directions
Take one teaspoon of gelatin
Two teaspoons of water
Mix them together in a shot glass. Then microwave it for 10 seconds.
It looks like goo. Test it to make sure it's not too hot and smear it all over your nose, chin and forehead (or wherever you have clogged pores) and let it dry. If you smear it on too thinly it will be difficult to peel off. You can help speed up the drying process by using a blow dryer over your face.
Make sure it is completely dry and peel it off. You will know it's completely dry because it will feel really tight. All the nasty gunk that has been sitting in your pores will come up with it. It's pretty gross yet strangely satisfying. Your skin will feel smooth and healthy. Follow up with a swipe of toner over your face and your favorite moisturizer.
Tips:
- Stay clear of your eyebrows. The hardened gelatin will rip out eyebrow hairs if you accidentally get any on them.
- Wash and exfoliate your skin and then steam it over a bowl of hot water to open up your pores before applying the gelatin
- You can apply the gelatin to your whole face to get it super clean. Once you peel off the gelatin your face will feel super soft. Just be careful if you have sensitive skin because it can kind of have that "ripping off a band-aid" feeling
If you try making these homemade pore strips, let me know how it goes!
Kathryn says
I'm going to try this today and use the tea tree oil. Does anyone know what other essential oils might work to mask the smell?
adrienne says
Eucalyptus or lavender would probably work great!
Elwo says
I just tried this. I added a drop of melaleuca/tea tree oil and that worked with the smell. I also used 1.5 tsp milk instead of water. I didn't really get any blackheads, that I saw, though I don't have many in the first place. I will try it again, but I'll put it on thicker in the places with blackheads (i.e. around nostrils). My skin feels super smooth!
Amanda Gates says
ive mixed with honey before and worked well although i applied a thin layer and couldnt get it to peel in some places so had to wash it off with a warm cloth
Amanda Gates says
I used green tea as the water not too bad of a smell
Me says
I mix it with milk instead, lactic acid is a very gentle exfoliant.
Anonymous says
This is amazing, it's really works but it hurts a little bit when you starts pulling out. Make sure avoid any site with hair like eyebrows, upper lip or side of the face or near hairline. It will rip out all that hair and it will be too painful. Your skin will look and feel so smooth after the treatment.
Anonymous says
My mom won't let me use regular gelatine- is it possible to use a vegetarian version instead? Please reply, I am ridden with acne and balckheads. 🙁
Princess_Lola says
Hi everyone 🙂 It seems like a lot of people have tried this with success. I would like to try it, but kindly request some advice. I don't have a microwave, has anyone tried warming gently on the stove, and if so, what setting and for how long? Thanks in advance 🙂 -Amanda