Introduction
Bioré is one of those drugstore stalwarts that most skincare fans bump into sooner or later thanks to its no-nonsense approach to pore care and a flair for products that promise the satisfaction of visible results. Still, if the brand has somehow slipped under your radar, think of it as the pragmatic friend in the skincare aisle that offers quick fixes without asking you to memorise an ingredient dictionary.
Enter the impressively titled Ultra Deep Cleansing Pore Strips. The name alone sounds like a late-night infomercial dare, yet Bioré positions these strips as a serious upgrade over their classic version, touting a cocktail of tea tree oil, witch hazel and menthol that clamps onto dirt, oil and stubborn blackheads with twice the grip of its predecessor. The brand assures us we will see undeniable proof on the strip itself and claims that fresher, clearer pores are just a 10-minute wait away.
I spent two weeks putting that promise to the test, applying the strips at the recommended frequency, logging everything from application quirks to post-peel glow, all in the quest to find out if this slightly dramatic-sounding upgrade earns a place in your routine or if your wallet is better off elsewhere.
What is Ultra Deep Cleansing Pore Strips?
Ultra Deep Cleansing Pore Strips sit in the pore treatment category, a branch of skincare that focuses on removing the debris that collects in enlarged or congested pores. In practice a pore strip is an adhesive pad that stakes out a small area of skin, binds to oil, dead skin cells and surface grime then lifts the mess away once the strip dries and is peeled off. The appeal lies in the quick visual payoff: whatever the strip catches is plain to see, which makes it popular with anyone looking for an immediate answer to blackheads.
Bioré’s version uses a mix of tea tree oil, witch hazel and menthol to add a cooling, slightly astringent feel while it claims to grab on to pore gunk with twice the strength of the brand’s previous formula. The strip is intended only for the nose, should be left to set for about ten to fifteen minutes and, according to the instructions, can be used no more than once every three days. It is positioned as a straightforward at home option for those who want to reduce the appearance of blackheads without squeezing or more involved treatments.
Did it work?
In the name of science I paused my usual pore treatment for three days before starting this test, which made me feel both very dedicated and slightly reckless. Fourteen days felt like a fair window to see true results so I followed the once-every-three-days schedule to the letter: day one, four, seven, ten and thirteen.
The first application brought that minty chill instantly. Ten minutes later the strip had set and I peeled it away to the soundtrack of my own misgivings. The payoff was undeniably gross-yet-gratifying and the skin on my nose looked calmer and a touch less congested for roughly twenty-four hours. I did notice faint redness for about fifteen minutes but nothing lingering.
By the second and third sessions the novelty had worn off but the sensation stayed the same. Each peel still collected visible debris though the haul seemed smaller each time, probably because there was less to grab. My pores looked marginally tighter under bright bathroom lights yet the improvement never lasted beyond the next morning. Menthol’s cooling rush felt refreshing during a humid week but I also clocked a slight dryness around my nostrils that needed extra moisturiser.
The fourth and fifth uses confirmed a pattern: immediate visual satisfaction, fleeting smoothness then business as usual. Deep-seated blackheads along the crease of my nose hung on stubbornly and the strips did little for sebaceous filaments despite the brand’s upgraded grip. No irritation cropped up, which was a pleasant surprise given my occasional sensitivity to adhesives.
So did it live up to its bravado? Partly. It certainly lifted surface gunk and gave a temporary clearer look but the “deep clean” headline felt optimistic. I will not be giving it permanent residency in my routine yet I can see myself keeping a pack around for the odd emergency when I want a quick pre-event cleanup without manual squeezing.
Ultra Deep Cleansing Pore Strips’s main ingredients explained
At the top of the bill is tea tree oil, a well studied antimicrobial that helps keep the bacterial side of blackheads in check while offering a slight anti inflammatory boost. Witch hazel extract lends its trademark astringency meaning it can temporarily tighten the look of pores and calm redness. Menthol is here for the instant cool hit that makes the whole ritual feel cleaner than it really is, though sensitive noses might find it a bit bracing.
The adhesive backbone is Polyquaternium-37 blended with Silica. Think of this duo as the glue that locks onto sebum and keratin plugs so the strip can yank them out in one piece. It is a mechanical action rather than a chemical exfoliation which explains why results are immediate yet short lived. Glycerin sneaks in just enough humectant power to stop the strip pulling off every last drop of surface moisture, a small mercy when you are literally ripping something off your face.
PEG-12 dimethicone provides slip so the strip conforms to the nose without gaps. Dimethicones sometimes get flagged as mildly comedogenic but because the product is removed after ten minutes buildup risk is negligible. For reference, comedogenic simply means an ingredient can clog pores and promote breakouts when left on the skin. Aluminium hydroxide, methylparaben and fragrance components like limonene and linalool round out the formula. They keep the strip shelf stable and smelling fresh but they might aggravate very reactive skin so patch testing is wise.
No animal derived ingredients appear on the INCI list so the strips are suitable for vegans and vegetarians. They also avoid common pregnancy red flags such as high dose salicylic acid or retinoids, yet tea tree oil and menthol can still be sensitising during hormonally volatile months so the official advice is to clear any pore strip use with a healthcare professional first. Finally, while the ingredient list is free of obvious fungal acne triggers it does rely on fragrance for user experience which could be a deal breaker if you prefer scent free skincare.
What I liked/didn’t like
Here is the quick breakdown.
What works well:
- Delivers that oddly satisfying lift of visible debris after each peel
- Cooling menthol makes the routine feel refreshing, especially in warm weather
- Simple three step process and easy to find at most drugstores, making it a convenient quick fix
- Cost per strip is reasonable for an occasional emergency cleanup
What to consider:
- Clarified look fades fast, often within 24 hours
- Menthol and added fragrance may tingle or upset reactive skin
- Mechanical action reaches only shallow congestion so entrenched blackheads remain largely untouched
My final thoughts
After five rounds I feel confident saying I gave Ultra Deep Cleansing Pore Strips a fair share of face time. The result is a respectable 7/10. On good days it scoops out just enough gunk to make pores look crisper under harsh bathroom lighting yet its quick fix nature means you will still need a longer term strategy if blackheads keep staging comebacks. If you enjoy the instant gratification of seeing proof on the strip and you are not sensitive to menthol or fragrance you will probably find these handy before a meeting, date night or selfie spree. If your nose is easily reddened or if you are chasing deeper congestion you might prefer chemical exfoliants or leave on serums that work under the surface.
Would I press them into a best friend’s hand? For occasional use, yes. As a cornerstone of a pore care routine, probably not. Consistent results still come from the usual suspects: gentle acids, diligent cleansing and patience.
Speaking of wider routines, I have cycled through a small army of pore minimisers over the years and a few standouts merit a mention for anyone hunting options. Deascal’s Poreless Perfection Serum is my current all rounder: lightweight, niacinamide packed and friendly to every skin type I have tested it on. For those who prefer a swipe and go format, Paula’s Choice Pore-Reducing Toner couples BHA with antioxidants to keep oil in check without stripping. If you lean toward a richer texture, StriVectin’s Super Shrink Pore Minimizing Serum adds peptides to the usual refining roster and leaves skin feeling comfortably hydrated while it tightens the visual field.
Before you rip open a new strip just a couple of house rules. Always patch test first – sorry for sounding like a helicopter parent. Avoid applying over active breakouts and remember that any clarity you gain here is temporary so keep the rest of your regimen steady if you want lasting progress.