These $18 Nose Patches Are My New Go-To Fix For Clogged Pores
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I consider my oily skin a blessing and a curse. I rarely have to deal with dryness, but I'm saddled with chronically clogged pores. I've tried just about every pore-cleaning product out there — from high-end liquid exfoliants to clay masks — but nothing has ever made much of a difference. Even those popular peel-off nose strips never did anything for me.
One beauty product I have become a big fan of is the original Hero Cosmetics Mighty Patch ($8 for 24 patches). These pimple patches have worked wonders for my acne, another condition I deal with frequently as a member of the oily-skin club. So naturally, I was the first to volunteer to try the new Hero Cosmetics Mighty Patch Nose ($18 for 10 patches). Like the pimple patches I know and love, these nose-size stickers are made from medical-grade hydrocolloid, a material that draws out oil and debris while promoting healing.
True story: I was so excited about the prospect of clearer pores that I tested out these patches within hours of receiving them in the mail. Keep reading for my full review.
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My Experience With Hero Cosmetics Mighty Patch Nose
If you've used pimple patches before, the process of applying these hydrocolloid stickers will be familiar. The instructions recommend exfoliating before using a patch, so I washed my face with an exfoliating scrub before drying my skin thoroughly. Because these patches are so much larger than the spot-size variety, it was a bit tricky to peel off the backing without the patch sticking to itself. Go slowly so you don't wind up with a seam in your patch.
The stickers are large, so they'll fit noses of all shapes and sizes. The shape is slightly too long for my nose, so I folded the edge of the patch back on itself. In the future, I think I'll trim the patch slightly before applying it for a more comfortable fit.
After I applied the patch, I spent a few minutes tidying my apartment before bed. While washing my dishes, the sides of my nose started to get a bit itchy. By the time I finally got into bed 15 minutes later, I'd become used to the sensation of wearing such a large sticker on my nose. Still, I'd recommend applying these nose patches right before bed so you don't have as much time to notice them.
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The Verdict
The next morning, I woke up excited to rip off the nose strip and see my results. At first glance, the patch didn't look any different on my face, but once I peeled it off, I saw that most of it had turned white — a sign that it had absorbed a shocking amount of gunk from my pores. Oddly satisfying, and slightly gross.
After hopping in the shower, I took a closer look at my skin. Upon closer inspection, the pores on my nose were noticeably lighter. Now, you can really only notice my enlarged pores if you're looking for them — which, let's face it, no one is.
Overall, these nose patches did a better job of unclogging my pores than other options like traditional pore strips, liquid exfoliants, and clay masks. At just $18 for 10 patches, they're also a much more affordable option than regular facials with extractions. These nose patches have definitely earned their spot in my bathroom vanity.