What Skin Experts Really Think of Pore Vacuums — and Our Favorite Options

Clogged pores are a real bummer. As someone with very oily skin and my fair share of clogged pores, I've tried every blackhead-removal tool you can imagine, including ultrasonic skin scrubbers, face cleansing brushes, and clay masks. Tired of dealing with perpetually congested pores, I connected with skincare experts on how to finally decongest my pores effectively. They agree that pore vacuums are the beauty tool of the moment, and totally worth incorporating into your weekly beauty routine.

So, what exactly are pore vacuums? These handheld devices look like chunky highlighters and use suction to remove impurities, like dirt, oil, and dead skin cells that cause clogged pores, blackheads, and whiteheads.

They can cost as little as $17, like the DIYthinker Blackhead Remover Pore Vacuum Cleaner, while others, such as the popular CLEASO Blackhead-Remover Pore Vacuum, cost $40. Some pore vacuums combine different skincare technologies, such as microdermabrasion found in the PMD Beauty Personal Microderm Classic, but you can expect to splurge up to $160 for those.

Best Pore Vacuums

Why Use Pore Vacuums

Sure, pore vacuums effectively loosen and remove blackheads, but according to dermatologist Dr. Anna Chacon, M.D., they offer other skin benefits, including:

• They're less harsh than pore strips and sharp blackhead extraction tools.
• Since they keep pores clear and exfoliate the skin, they also boost the efficacy of your skincare products, like vitamin C serums, collagen creams, and retinol treatments.
• They're much cheaper than a spa facial with extractions. For example, a deep pore-cleansing facial at Moonflower Spa in New York costs me $125 per treatment, while most of my pore vacuum recommendations cost $40 or less.

Do Pore Vacuums Work?

Dr. Jodi LoGerfo, DNP, says pore vacuums are effective and generally safe on blackheads and whiteheads, but ineffective on closed comedones, inflamed pimples, and cystic acne. She notes they help keep your pores clean and improve the look and feel of your skin, but the anti-blackhead effects are temporary.

Of course, the effects of pretty much every beauty treatment you can imagine, like Botox, dermaplaning, and HydraFacials, pore vacuums only provide temporary results. So, as long as you're cool with regularly incorporating a pore vacuum into your skincare routine, you'll experience less congested skin over time.

Also, if you have sensitive skin or are prone to eczema and rosacea flare-ups, you're more likely to experience irritation or redness after using a pore vacuum, so wait until your flareup is gone before using a pore vacuum.

Can a Pore Vacuum Damage Your Skin?

Unfortunately, when you use heavy pressure or use these tools too frequently, you're more likely to damage the skin. LoGerfo says improper use of a pore vacuum can cause bruising, irritation, discoloration, broken blood vessels, skin abrasions, or tears. For the best and safest results, use a facial steamer to open up your pores. Also, stick to using pore vacuums weekly, and don't do repeated passes over the same section of your face.

Now that you know what pore vacuums are and how they work, I researched and selected top-rated options worth adding to your routine, stat. Throughout my vetting process of pore vacuums, I considered the number of accessories included, speed settings, and combed through hundreds of online reviews, to bring you the best of the best pore vacuum options to keep your skin feeling fresh and clear.