These Blackhead-Removal Tools Are Begging You to (Please) Stop Using Your Fingers Now

"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."

It’s weirdly satisfying to pop acne, but this is one of those situations where a guilty pleasure meets a big problem. Squeezing blemishes and blackheads to oblivion can (and often will) result in scarring, inflammation, or infection no matter how clean your fingers are. So if you really can’t wait it out and want those suckers extracted, go the professional route with any of these blackhead-removal tools that eliminate skin contact, and, as a result, preserve skin health.

The Best Blackhead Removal Tools

• Best Overall: JPNK Blackhead-Remover Tool Kit

• Best Comedone Extractor: Tweezerman No-Slip Skin Care Tool

• Best 3-in-1 Tool: PMD Wave Pro

• Best Pore Strips: Bioré Deep Cleansing Pore Strips (14-Count)

• Best Pore Vacuum: CLEASO Blackhead-Remover Pore Vacuum

What is a Blackhead-Removal Tool?

Blackhead-removal tools are sometimes called blackhead or comedone extractors, and they're used by aestheticians in the spa or at a doctor’s office. According to double board-certified facial plastic surgeon Dr. Jaimie DeRosa, M.D., they work by applying pressure on the pore to extract blackheads and other gunk embedded in your skin.

How to Shop

DeRosa says the three most important factors are ease of use, cleaning ability, and price point. “At-home blackhead-removal tools should be straightforward enough to be used without expert technique, shouldn’t be too expensive, and be easy to clean. My preference is a stainless steel-made tool since these can be soaked in rubbing alcohol between uses without damaging the tool itself,” she says.

Manual Versus Automatic Capabilities

➥ Manual blackhead tools come in different shapes and forms, such as the JPNK Blackhead Remover Tool Kit. Given their simplistic design and the fact that you must manually apply pressure to unleash any dirt and grime in your pores, these blackhead-removal tools are cheaper than automatic options.

➥ Automatic blackhead-removal tools, such as the Cleaso Blackhead-Remover Pore Vacuum, rely on suction. DeRosa prefers using manual tools because suction may be difficult to control, and effective use of a vacuum will rely on the tightness of its contact with the skin.

Safety

Ultimately, it doesn't really matter which blackhead-removal tool you use, but rather that you're using one safely and correctly following the manufacturer's instructions. “At-home removal tools are effective, but using them incorrectly might do more harm than good. This is because if you apply too much pressure, you can damage the skin,” says DeRosa. She adds you'll want to always prep your skin with the compact Panasonic facial steamer to open up the pores and help prevent discomfort when removing blackheads.

Ready for glowing, smooth-AF skin? Of course, you are! DeRosa and our beauty editor, Nicole Saunders, share the best blackhead-removal tools they enjoy using. Saunders also carefully researched other promising blackhead-removal tools across various price points to ensure you find a top-rated product that fits your budget.

Blackhead-Remover Tool Kit

JPNK’s six-piece set is modeled after tools you’d find in any given dermatologist’s office. Every kit has explicit instructions, so you can extract like a pro. It’s designed with stainless steel to hinder irritation, while grip-easy handles give you full control over what can become a sticky situation (gross, but true).

DeRosa says this is a good option because it’s made with stainless steel — her favorite blackhead-extractor material — and it comes in a handy travel pouch. “The only thing I’d caution is that one may get carried away with so many tools included and end up damaging one’s skin, so go slowly,” she says.

While all of these tools are impressive, our favorite is the skinny removal tool on the far left, which was designed with acne-prone skin in mind, removing open and closed comedones from the surface without irritating side effects or swollen areas (because the last thing you need right now is to worry about extraction side effects).

More: Acne Face Washes to Clear Up Your Pimples for Good

No-Slip Skin Care Tool

Tweezerman is our go-to for all beauty tools, so should it surprise us that the brand also specializes in blackhead-removal instruments? No, no it should not. This double-ended tool — aesthetically twinning with a cross-stitch needle, BTW — uproots blackheads and whiteheads in a cinch.

If you're one of those people who thoroughly enjoys popping pimples (sometimes yours, sometimes others), this is a hygienic step up! The flat end forcefully presses out darkened sebum from hair follicles, while the thin, angled loop rolls out white-topped blemishes.

One Amazon reviewer opened up their husband’s congested pores with a hot washcloth for 5 minutes, then it took 2 seconds for a blackhead to ooze out with zero pain. “I was a little grossed out, but he’s had this on his back for longer than the 4+ years I’ve known him and I was getting concerned,” says their 5-star review. They add that it’s a high-quality tool with rounded edges on the loops that press into the skin.

Wave Pro

Something that extracts, infuses, and lifts? Do sign us up. The latest release from beauty tool bigwigs PMD, the Wave Pro, has all you need to keep skin both smooth and snatched.

It has three modes: Mode 1 uses negative ions for blackhead extraction. Our senior editor Eunice Lucero-Lee noticed a difference in smoothness immediately after application: “The instructions are pretty easy: Just dampen your face first before usage, and run the spatula upward from your chin — you’ll notice some steam coming off and a slight (yet painless) microcurrent. Keep going! I have sensitive skin and it was gentle enough that I didn’t incur any redness. My serum went on smoothly afterward, and it really helped clear the congestion around the nose area.”

Mode 2 uses positive ions for serum infusion, and perhaps the most exciting level is Mode 3, which uses EMS technology, a painless electrical current, for lifting and contouring — particularly clutch near the crow's feet, marionette line, and forehead areas. It also has a special Extract Mode to gently squeeze out blackheads and the occasional breakout.

“This tool is miraculous,” one 5-star review said, with another one adding, “It’s AMAZING how you can just watch it work ... it left no inflammation [or] irritation unlike when you use your fingers to pop a pimple.”

“This is totally going with me on my next vacation to keep any travel puffiness, dullness, or jetlagface at bay,” confirms Lucero-Lee.

Blackhead Tweezer

Rapid Vitality's blackhead-removal tool doubles as a splinter extractor, so there's a plus. Designed with surgical-grade stainless steel for premium quality at a low cost and hook-shaped tips to avoid the chance of injury, gone are the days when you'd finger-wrestle deep-rooted blemishes. Secure blackheads in between the comedone extractors, pinch, and pick up the impurities, pain-free.

Thousands of Amazon reviewers are enamored with this cheap blackhead-removal tool because it’s simple yet incredibly effective. One reviewer called it “the best product ever” because it quickly pushed out a blackhead. While her partner found the tweezer-like appearance intimidating, he found it was less painful than pore strips.

Deep Cleansing Pore Strips (14-Count)

Remember when blackhead-removing pore strips launched in the early aughts? DeRosa and Saunders sure do: They used them growing up. “What’s cool about these strips is that they have a patented technology that has the pore strip stick to the blackhead and not the skin, so it decreases damage to the skin when you pull them off,” says DeRosa.

“I love them because they’re fast-acting — you only need 10 to 15 minutes max for them to dry down,” says Saunders. “After carefully peeling them off, I always feel satisfied (and a bit grossed out) by how much gunk is stuck on the other side of the pore strip.”

They're not the only fans: With over 30,000 five-star Amazon reviews, it's safe to say this blackhead-removal tool is still on point more since its debut in the late ’90s.

To quote one 5-star review: “The best strips, hand down. I always go back to this product. It is amazing how cheap but effective it is if done properly. It really gets so much out, I use it on my husband too.”

Blackhead-Remover Pore Vacuum

We can't be the only ones completely skeeved out by the mere thought of squeezing blackheads to a pulp, so if you need an alternative, Cleaso's rechargeable blackhead-removal tool is just as effective and (probably) won't leave you as squeamish.

Here's how it works: Similar to how a vacuum extracts dirt from the hard-to-reach corners of the kitchen floor, this brand developed a facial version that features three levels of suction pressure to completely remove impurities from the skin.

Need more perks? This is one of the rare pore vacuums equipped with a tiny camera, allowing you to see a close-up of the blackhead-removal process via the Android and iOS-compatible smartphone app.

One Amazon reviewer with life-long acne and clogged pores called this blackhead-removal tool the “best investment for struggling pores.” To quote their 5-star review: “It really has taken my skin and the size of my pores to the next level ... even my boyfriend noticed after about 2 weeks of using it every four days. He’s noticed sizable changes in my problem areas around my nose, chin, and T-zone.”

Sonic Refresher Microdermabrasion and Pore Extraction System

Treating yourself to microdermabrasion is an incredible way to remove blackheads stuck in your pores, and it has the bonus of fading hyperpigmentation, shrinking the look of enlarged pores, and dramatically improving skin texture.

This blackhead-removal tool earned a spot on our list because it has multiple speed settings, so you don't over-exfoliate your skin. Plus, it comes with a handy USB charger for easy travel.

DeRosa considers the unique fine mist a major win because you can spritz your face during and after treatment to help lock in hydration, as well as dampen the skin before treatment.

Amazon reviewers agree that this nifty gadget leaves their skin smooth, clean, and blackhead-free. “I have had this for several years! It still works great, and the charge lasts forever. It is a must for me now for exfoliation. I break out way less after purchasing this years ago,” says one 5-star review.

Bonus? Unlike other blackhead-removal tools that leave problem areas a bit red, this microdermabrasion tool improves skin tone and encourages elasticity!

Luna 3 Face Cleansing Brush for Normal Skin

Face cleansing brushes are epic: They penetrate further into the surface of your skin, removing oil, dirt, and debris. Foreo's popular Luna 3 is our beauty editor's favorite option.

“Blackheads are my biggest skincare concern, and FOREO’s Luna takes a high-tech approach to skincare. After connecting my brush via Bluetooth to the Foreo app, I can create a fully customized skincare experience at home. There are 10 speed settings to choose from, so blackheads don’t stand a chance,” says Saunders.

According to DeRosa, this silicone face brush is great for gently cleansing the skin and lifting dirt and debris off without the damage that can occur with traditional bristle cleansing brushes. “What’s also great about the silicone brush is that it is easier to keep clean after use so that you don’t end up pushing bacteria and debris into your skin inadvertently,” she says.

A bonus: The Luna device is waterproof and has soft ridges and vibrations to massage your face as you cleanse.

DERMAPORE Pore Extractor and Serum Infuser

DeRosa considers this an innovative ultrasonic device that helps unclog pores while also infusing products into your skin, so you get double the benefits. One side is for the extraction mode to unearth blackheads, oil deposits, and other gunk stuck in your pores. The flipside is for infusing your favorite face serums, oils, and creams deeper into your skin.

"Let's be real: There are dozens of more affordable skin scrubbers on the market, but I know this one actually works because I use it whenever my pores are clogged," says Saunders. "It has a smooth edge that doesn't overly dig into my skin, the pressure is light but effective, and it's easy to clean."

Amazon reviewers are also keen on using this blackhead-removal tool. One reviewer says this game-changing product is so effective that it could replace their monthly facials. "Once I learned to hold it at more of an angle, I could really tell a difference. It was bringing up all the little blockages in my pores that I would normally just pass over with cleanser. I’ve noticed a nice difference in the number of blemishes that I have and love the way it preps my skin for moisturizer," says their 5-star review.

You Might Also Like

• The Paris Hilton Housewares Collection Brings ‘That’s Hot’ Energy to Your Kitchen

• 16 Best Noise-Canceling Headphones Perfect for Rocking Out in Quiet Bliss

• Beyoncé Uses This $26 Amazon Product for Her Glossy Blonde Hair