Ranked by community score across 273 mentions on Reddit
Oily skin: foaming gel. Dry or sensitive: creamy wash.
The why
A 10–15-minute, targeted nose treatment that softens sebaceous-filament buildup before wiping or gentle scraping. It suits oily, congested areas and tretinoin routines; results are temporary, and over-scraping or leaving it on too long can irritate.
One minus
Results fade within days to about a week
Good forOily Skin, Sensitive Skin, Dry Skin
Salicylic acid smooths clogged texture; Reddit loves it, studies support niacinamide for acne.
CeraVe37 mentions
EradiKate 3% Sulfur Daily Foaming Cleanser
Reddit's 3% sulfur congestion fixer; research found fewer acne spots in one trial.
Kate Somerville9 mentions
Studies find benzoyl peroxide beats placebo; Reddit reports clearer acne, harsher irritation.
PanOxyl12 mentions
The Rice Polish: Classic Foaming Enzyme Exfoliant Powder
Super-gentle enzyme powder for flaky tret skin; helps texture and pores.
Tatcha8 mentions
Grapeseed oil cleanser melts sunscreen and makeup; pore-clearing favorite, breakout risk.
Manyo10 mentions
Mineral oil cleansing power for stubborn sunscreen and waterproof makeup; rinses clean.
Kose10 mentions
Black Rice Moisture Deep Cleansing Oil
Sunflower-oil cleanser melts SPF and makeup; rinses clean without stripping.
Haruharu Wonder7 mentions
Studies found salicylic acid helps acne; Redditors report clearer pores, nightly dryness.
The Inkey List4 mentions
Squalane balm-to-oil cleanser melts makeup and SPF without stripping; residue bothers some users.
The Ordinary5 mentions
Madagascar Centella Light Cleansing Oil
Lightweight oil cleanser melts sunscreen and makeup, emulsifying cleanly; breakout risk stays real.
Skin10048 mentions
Heartleaf Quercetinol Pore Deep Cleansing Foam
Betaine Salicylate cleanser smooths blackheads and pores; dries out sensitive skin.
Anua7 mentions
Physical scrub with walnut shell powder for gritty exfoliation; harsh on faces.
St. Ives7 mentions
Lightweight ester-based cleansing oil melts sunscreen and improves clogged pores; rinse thoroughly.
beplain5 mentions
Redditors praise 2% salicylic acid for breakouts; studies found niacinamide’s acne benefits uncertain.
CeraVe7 mentions
Olive-oil cleanser dissolves makeup and sunscreen cleanly; breakout-prone skin may revolt.
DHC4 mentions
Heartleaf 77% Clear Cleansing Oil
Ethylhexyl palmitate cleansing oil removes makeup and sunscreen; breakouts are common.
Anua11 mentions
Clean It Zero Cleansing Balm Original
Emulsifying cleansing balm melts makeup and sunscreen cleanly; breaks acne-prone skin.
Banila Co4 mentions
Rice bran oil cleansing balm melts makeup and sunscreen without tightness; residue complaints.
Beauty of Joseon3 mentions
Calendula Complete Cleansing Oil
Calendula cleansing oil removes makeup without stripping; pore-clearing favorite.
iUNIK3 mentions
Gentle Exfoliating SA Cleanser
Salicylic acid and PHA unclog pores, smooth bumps; irritation risk with active-heavy routines.
Cetaphil3 mentions
Black Rice Moisture 5.5 Soft Cleansing Gel
Low-pH gel cleanser praised for gentleness; tightness and breakouts are real risks.
Haruharu Wonder3 mentions
Pre-Gleanse Face Cleansing Oil
Sunflower oil cleanser dissolves makeup and sunscreen; breakout risk for rosacea-prone skin.
Prequel3 mentions
Bromelain enzyme powder smooths texture and clears pores; gentle enough for sensitive skin.
Needly3 mentions
Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel Cleanser
Foaming cleanser helps oily, acne-prone skin; frequently leaves dry skin tight.
La Roche-Posay3 mentions
50% glycerin cleanser hydrates without stripping; rinse thoroughly to avoid film.
Prequel3 mentions
Want something lighter? Kose Softymo Speedy Cleansing Oil
Want something richer? Banila Co Clean It Zero Cleansing Balm Original
For texture and pores, Redditors most often recommend Ilso Sebum Softener to loosen buildup and make pores look clearer. Some describe it as gentle and non-drying, including for sensitive skin.
Some studies found a benefit for texture/pores, but the evidence isn't settled.
Few or mixed studies. This claim isn't established.
Research context, not treatment advice. Studies are about the ingredient, not any one product.
How we grade research for texture/poresWe use cookies to improve your experience. Learn more
