Make a Homemade Pore Strip

Tired of shelling out money for pore strips? Have no fear, you can make your own at home for a fraction of the cost. In fact, you can often make them with just what you have on hand, from egg whites to honey and unflavored gelatin.

Steps

Making a Pore-Cleansing Mask

1. Mix your ingredients together. You'll need a packet of unflavored gelatin, as well as 1 to 2 tablespoons of milk. Gelatin is what makes Jello thick and jiggly, and you're making it much thicker here, so it creates a thick film on your face you can pull off. You're looking for a consistency similar to that of thick yogurt. Start with 1 tablespoon and add more if you need it. The mixture will get thinner when you heat it.
   • You can use almost any kind of milk, including goat, soy, and almond. You can also add a drop of lavender essential oil.
   • Be sure to use a bowl that's safe for the microwave. You're about to heat it up. Also, you don't need a huge bowl for this mask.
   • Be aware that this mask can peel off hairs in a painful way, so you may want to wax or shave before doing it.
2. Microwave the mixture. Heat the mixture in the microwave for about 30 seconds. You may want to check on it sooner. Do not let it boil. Check to make sure it's warm to the touch when you pull it out.
   • You can also heat the mixture on the stove on low heat.
   • Check to make sure it's not too hot for your face by sticking your pinky in it. If it doesn't hurt your pinky, it should be okay on your face.
3. Apply it to your face. Using a makeup brush or a cotton ball, apply the mixture to your face. You can apply it all over, but you should particularly focus on your problem areas, such as your nose, chin, cheeks, and forehead. Look for wherever your blackheads are prominent.
   • Try to skip areas that are particularly sensitive, as this mask can hurt on those areas. You can just apply it to your nose. Note that it will smell pretty bad.
   • Also, try to apply a fairly thick layer, but you'll only really need to go over your face once. If it's too thick, it won't dry properly.
4. Allow time for it to dry. Check back in 15 minutes. It can help to set a timer so you don't forget. The mask should be dry enough that it's starting to crack, especially if you move your face around. It should also feel dry to the touch.
   • Don't wait too long, as it can dry too hard. If you let it go too long, it will leave your skin red and sensitive.
5. Peel the mask off. Once you've determined it's dry enough, it's time to peel it off. It should come off in big strips or sections. Start at the edges, and pull slowly toward the center of the mask. Keep going until the whole mask is gone.
   • If you want, you can look at the inside part of the mask to see what you're taking off of your face.
6. Splash cold water on your face. To close up your pores at the end, you need to use some cold water. You can even use an ice cube. The idea is you are closing the pores to further germs, dirt, and grime.
   • You can also use an astringent and a light moisturizer.
   • If you're going outside, put on a sunscreen, as your skin will be sensitive.
   • Your face may be a little red after peeling the film off, especially if you have sensitive skin. To reduce the redness, put an ice pack on the red spots.

Creating an Egg White Pore Strip

1. Cut a strip to size. Cut a paper towel or paper napkin to fit over your nose. You should make it long enough that it covers part of your cheeks, too. Also, make sure it's wide enough to cover your whole nose at once.
   • A paper towel or napkin is better than a tissue for this project because it is thicker and can remove more blackheads.
2. Separate an egg. You'll need to separate an egg white from an egg yolk. The simplest way to separate an egg is to use the shell. Gently crack open an egg over a bowl. As you crack it open, turn the inside parts of the shell upward, forming small cups, so you the yolk doesn't fall into the bowl. Pass the yolk back and forth between the two shells, letting the egg white drain through the crack between them.
   • You can discard the yolk or use it in one of many recipes just calling for egg yolks, such as creme brulee.
   • Separating eggs is easier to do when the egg is fresher.
3. Dip the paper towel in the egg white. You'll need to thoroughly soak the paper towel in egg white. Make sure to move it around in the white so that the paper absorbs the egg into it. When it seems soaked, move on to applying it.
4. Apply the strip. Center the strip on your nose. Use your finger to rub it into place, making sure you get it in all the crevices around your nose. Because of the egg white, it should adhere to your nose without problem.
   • You can also apply egg white to your nose, add the dry paper strip, and apply more egg white on top.
   • It's also important that you wash your face before applying it, so the strip doesn't have trouble with the grease on your face.
5. Wait 10 to 30 minutes. The egg white needs to completely dry on your nose. It can dry in as little as 10 minutes, but it may take as long as 30 minutes. Check on it periodically to see how it is doing.
6. Peel it off. Once it's dry, you can peel it off. It's much like peeling off a bandaid, though you may need to peel more slowly so the strip doesn't rip. You can also check to see what's peeled off. You should find many blackheads left behind on your homemade strip.

Making Strips from Milk and Honey

1. Mix milk and honey. Mix one part honey to one and a half parts of milk. You'll need about a tablespoon of honey and 1 1/2 tablespoons of milk to do your nose. Put them in a small, microwave-proof bowl. Heat them up together, then stir to combine them more thoroughly.
   • You'll only need to heat them for 10 to 30 seconds.
   • Don't let the mixture boil. Watch it, as milk can boil over very easily.
2. Apply it to your face. Make sure the mixture is not too hot by dipping your pinky in it. If your pinky can take it, your face should be able to as well. Apply the mixture to your face. You can apply it with a brush or a cotton ball.
   • You can simply apply the mixture as a strip across your nose.
   • Alternatively, you can apply it over your whole face.
3. Let it dry. Set a timer for 15 minutes. After the timer goes off, check your face to see if the mixture has dried. It should create a film across your nose or face, wherever you applied it. If it hasn't dried, wait a few more minutes.
4. Peel it off. Peel off the pieces of film that the mixture has left on your face. It should come off mostly in big strips. If you want, you can look at the back side to see what it's pulling off your face. You should see some blackheads.
   • Afterwards, you may want to wash your face off and then apply a light moisturizer, as your skin will be sensitive.

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Sources and Citations

• Videos provided by Vintagious

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• Make an Egg Facial Mask
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