Is this pore strip safe for sensitive, acne-prone, or dry skin?

The strip is generally suitable for normal to oily skin types that can tolerate adhesive polymers; it may be tolerated by acne-prone skin because it physically removes debris, but the fragrance, phenoxyethanol, and strong adhesive can cause irritation on very sensitive or dry skin, so a patch test is recommended.

What is the function of the VP/VA copolymer in the Deep Cleansing Pore Strips?

VP/VA copolymer acts as a pressure-sensitive adhesive that hardens when the strip dries, allowing it to grip the surface of the skin and pull out blackheads and excess oil as the strip is peeled away, providing the core cleansing action of the product.

How often should the strip be used and are there any concerning chemicals in the formula?

For most users the strip can be applied once or twice a week, left on for 10-15 minutes until it turns opaque, then gently peeled off; the formula includes phenoxyethanol as a preservative and titanium dioxide as a pigment, which are approved for cosmetic use but may be irritating to some individuals, so avoid use on broken skin and discontinue if redness occurs.

Equate • 14 strips

Deep Cleansing Pore Strips

Pore Strips

Product Insights

Deep Cleansing Pore Strips are single-use cardboard sheets that adhere to the nose and other oily areas to lift blackheads and excess sebum when left on for 10-15 minutes. The formulation combines a VP/VA copolymer adhesive with humectants such as glycerin and soothing botanicals including witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) and anise extract, which help to soften pore contents before removal. However, the strip also contains fragrance components, phenoxyethanol preservative, and a high concentration of synthetic polymers that may irritate very sensitive or broken skin, and the adhesive residue can be difficult to remove completely.

Comparative Analysis

Targeted at budget-conscious consumers, this Equate pore strip offers a low-cost alternative to premium dermatologist-brand strips by using a VP/VA copolymer adhesive and witch hazel extract to unclog pores.

Ingredients

VP/VA COPOLYMER, WATER, TITANIUM DIOXIDE (CI 77891), BUTYLENE GLYCOL, 1, 2-HEXANEDIOL, LITHIUM MAGNESIUM SODIUM SILICATE, GLYCERIN, PHENOXYETHANOL, AMMONIUM ACRYLOYLDIMETHYLTAURATE/VP COPOLYMER, ILLICIUM VERUM (ANISE) FRUIT EXTRACT, SILICA, SCUTELLARIA BAICALENSIS ROOT EXTRACT, HAMAMELIS VIRGINIANA (WITCH HAZEL) EXTRACT, ALUMINUM HYDROXIDE, PEG-12 DIMETHICONE, t-BUTYL ALCOHOL, PEG-12 ALLYL ETHER.

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