When it comes to skincare, it seems like everyone is on a quest for smaller pores. Those clogged pores can really take a toll on your complexion. If you’re wondering how to get rid of blackheads on your nose, it’s important to understand how and why they occur so that you can treat and prevent them.
A blackhead starts to form when the opening to a hair follicle, which contains a hair and a sebaceous, oil-producing gland, becomes blocked. Inside the follicle, the gland continues to produce natural skin oils like sebum, which then begin to build up alongside dead skin cells, bacteria and debris. This produces a closed environment full of oils and cells that are unable to escape. If it remains blocked and covered by a thin layer of skin, these blocked follicles are known as whiteheads, due to their white appearance. However, if the skin is removed and the build-up exposed to air, it turns a noticeable dark brown color, or even black, hence the name blackheads.
To prevent blackheads from forming, keep your skin clean, exfoliate and avoid oil-filled skincare products. While you can find blackheads all over your body, they most often form on the face. They’re often most visible when they form on your nose, and the sight of visible blackheads can make a lot of us feel self-conscious.
How To Get Rid of Blackheads on Your Face
When blackheads start to multiply across your face, what can you do about it? Fortunately, you have multiple options, as there are many effective over-the-counter acne products for getting rid of blackheads on your nose and face. Treatment choices include precision tools for physically removing them, skincare masks, facial strips and even a vacuum to forcibly suck out the buildup of oils and dirt. Whatever your preference, having the right tools is key when learning how to get rid of blackheads on your nose, face and just about everywhere else.
In general, you can split up blackhead treatments into two categories: short-term treatments and long-term treatments.
Short-term treatments are effective at removing or treating blackheads after they occur, while long-term treatments can help blackheads from forming in the first place. These pore-clearing acne treatments are the better option if you’re trying to learn how to get rid of blackheads, even if they’re less satisfying in the moment. We love pimple-popping videos as much as any acne sufferer, but squeezing and popping is no replacement for a daily skincare regimen.
Popular short-term blackhead removers include:
- Peel-off facemasks
- Blackhead pore strips
- Comedone extractor tools, aka those metal tools from pimple-popping videos
- Pore extractor vacuums
For getting rid of blackheads, some of our favorite long-term treatments include:
- Facial cleansers and washes
- Charcoal cleansers
- Niacinamide acne products
- Salicylic Acid acne products
Keep reading for our favorite blackhead-busting products, from peel-off pore strips (so satisfying!) to charcoal facial cleansers. You’ll notice that we only included one blackhead pore vacuum in the guide below. Please note that while these products look appealing on TikTok, most dermatologists agree they’re actually pretty terrible for your skin. As with any medical condition, if you’re dealing with persistent or reoccurring blackheads, we recommend talking to your doctor about potential acne products.
1. Biore Deep Cleansing Pore Strips Combo Pack
BEST OVERALL
If you prefer to stay away from the nitty gritty side of things, these are super easy to use. After you’ve applied them over your skin, they work like a magnet to draw out the buildup of dirt within 10 minutes. They can be used on all skin types one to two times a week. In addition, they are free from oils, are hypoallergenic and have been dermatologist tested. In the combo pack, you’ll also get face strips in addition to the ones for your nose.

2. Tweezerman No Slip Skincare Tool
BEST MANUAL REMOVAL TOOL
You probably already know this, but squeezing out blackheads with your fingers is a bad idea for plenty of reasons. You’re likely to damage the skin and introduce bacteria, to name just a couple. Instead, use this precision tool that does a better, cleaner job. The body is textured so that you’ll get a firm grip so you can tackle that blackhead with control. It has a flat loop on one end to extract blackheads, while the other side has an angled wire to remove whiteheads.

3. Lumin Charcoal Cleansing Pore Strip
BEST STRIPS
Pore strips are both easy and effective due to their effortless application and torpedo-esque pull. With that said, the Lumin charcoal cleansing pore strips come are some of the best pore strips you can buy online. They will pull out deep-down dirt on your nose that you didn’t even know you had and clean all other impurities embedded into your skin. Now that we’re constantly wearing face masks, you’d be surprised what kind of things get trapped in there from staying so congested all day.

4. Dr. Brandt Pores No More Vacuum Cleaner
BEST MASK
True to its name, this face mask practically sucks out blackheads. Featuring an AHA/BHA glycolic and salicylic acid complex, it goes deep into pores to break down dead skin cells, dirt, oil and impurities, all while loosening up blackheads and whiteheads. After masking with this, your pores will return to a smaller size.

5. The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
BEST SERUM
When blackheads on your nose never seem to go away, you’ll want to slather on this skin-clearing serum. Niacinamide, aka vitamin B3, is adept at reducing breakouts and decongesting complexions. The serum will also keep excess oil in check and shrink enlarged pores.

6. Tula Skincare Maskne Rescue Breakout Fighting Kit
BEST FOR MASKNE
The mask mandate isn’t going anywhere soon. Well, unless you’re in Texas. Shame on you Texas. Considering your mask is staying on, it’s more important now than it ever has been to take care of that mug of yours. Lucky for you, Tula Skincare’s Maske Rescue kit is here to rid of any clogged pores caused by your face mask. This stick is built specifically for mask-related issues and works to clear oil, dirt and general skin congestion you might get in your day-to-day. So, if you’re still wearing that facial covering (in which you absolutely should be) this is the fighting kit for you.

7. Glossier Mega Greens Galaxy Pack
BEST PORE SHRINKER
If oily skin and enlarged pores are constantly getting you down, this intense clay mask will take care of those concerns, plus deliver a more even texture. A trio of ingredients do the heavy lifting: white kaolin clay cleanses the face and vitamin-rich greens and superfruit antioxidants nourish your skin to leave it looking and feeling great. You might think Glossier is only for women, but guess again — this brand is for everybody, so let’s kiss those pores goodbye.

8. Kiehl’s Rare Earth Deep Pore Daily Cleanser
BEST CLEANSER
Every time you wash your face, it’s an opportunity to zap those blackheads, so make sure you use a cleanser that will help you do that, like this one from Kiehl’s. The ingredient spotlight is on Amazonian white clay particles, which help the cleanser detox and unclog pores by washing away dirt and oil. Though it’s a potent exfoliator, it never strips your skin.

9. Lumin No-Nonsense Charcoal Cleanser
GREAT FOR DEAD SKIN
The Lumin No-Nonsense charcoal cleanser is a beast of a skin treatment. Not only does this stuff unclog pores, but it helps fight unwanted and excess oil, helps fight pollutants trapped in your pores and removes any extra dead skin that is collecting on your face. You’ll constantly look and feel fresh using this, just use a tiny amount in the shower and your skin will look revitalized ASAP.

10. Dermalogica Blackhead Clearing Fizz Mask
BEST OIL ZAPPER
Excess oil is one of the main triggers of blackheads and this mask keeps an oily T-zone under control — and a lot more. Designed for acne-prone skin, the fizzing formula cleans out skin and that includes getting blackheads out. It contains anti-microbial sulfur to keep skin clear, kaolin clay to soak up extra sebum and apple fruit extract to moisturize.

11. JPNK Blackhead Remover Tools
BEST BUDGET
The have over 1,100 five-star reviews of Amazon, suggesting customers are extremely happy with the results they’ve achieved using the kit. It includes six individual blackhead management tools, all made from high-quality stainless steel. The kit also comes in a handy, leather case, so you can easily take it with you for whenever an unsuspecting blackhead strikes. The tools inside include loop heads to squeeze out pimples, a spike to break the skin and a pair of tweezers for precise removal of dirt.

12. Yes To Tomatoes Clear Skin Acne Fighting Bubbling Paper Mask
BEST SHEET MASK
This bubbling mask stops pimples and blackheads before they happen and treats existing ones with a killer combo of tomatoes, salicylic acid and oxygen. In just 10 minutes, it deep cleans and purifies your complexion. Made from 100% cotton, the paper mask features 95% natural ingredients. And the bubbling part is fun and satisfying!

13. SOME BY MI Bye Bye Blackhead
BEST NATURAL CLEANSER
Like the product itself, even the name of the cleanser cuts the crap and gets to the point when it comes to dealing with blackheads. This cleanser is made up of 16 different kinds of tea. The naturally sourced BHA works to exfoliate your skin and remove impurities from the surface. The effective cleanser also helps to prevent future breakouts while tightening pores for improved skin elasticity. To use the cleanser, simply apply a layer to your face, leave it to foam for three to five minutes and then rub your face gently before removing the foam with warm water.

14. Differin Adapalene Acne Treatment Gel
BEST FOR SENSITIVE SKIN
With over 400 five-star reviews from Amazon users, the is a tried and true, award-winning answer to keeping blackheads under control. This gel, once only available via prescription, works to renew your skin from the inside using an Rx-strength, acne-fighting retinoid formula. It also works to regulate skin turnover and reduce inflammation, helping to prevent outbreaks in the future as well. This option is great for sensitive skin and can be used in the morning or evening without worry.

15. Blackhead Remover Pore Vacuum
BEST DEVICE
When you think of how to get something clean, isn’t the answer usually a vacuum? That’s what June Julien thought when they created this Blackhead Remover Pore Vacuum. It turns out this vacuum-like device is mighty effective, with users rating it 4.2 stars out of 5. The rechargeable vacuum features four interchangeable suction heads, which allow you to tailor your vacuuming to the skin problem at hand. Other heads help with fine lines and dry skin. You’ll also find a handy LED display to show the suction strength and battery charge.

16. Paula’s Choice Salicylic Acid Exfoliant
BEST EXFOLIATOR
is another popular and well-reviewed answer for dealing with blackheads. Using a 2% BHA Liquid Salicylic Acid formula, this exfoliant absorbs quickly into the skin to unclog and shrink pores while creating an even skin tone. The formula also includes green tea which is a potent, skin-soothing antioxidant. This secret ingredient helps your skin look younger and gives it a healthier appearance. This BHA exfoliant is great for all skin types and can be used once or twice a day without a problem.
