Those little pore strips get pricey fast, especially when you only need one tiny patch for your nose and chin. This homemade version takes two basic ingredients and a microwave, then dries into a peel-off strip that helps lift blackheads and clean out pores. It is simple, quick, and far less fussy than a special trip to the beauty aisle (which somehow always turns into three extra purchases).
Store-bought pore strips cost far more per use than a spoonful of gelatin and milk. A 4-count 1-ounce box of Knox unflavored gelatin sells at Walmart for $7.29, and this project uses just 1 tablespoon plus 1 1/2 tablespoons of milk, so the batch cost comes out to roughly $0.79 depending on your milk price. Making your own also lets you control the thickness and skip added fragrance or extra ingredients that some readers prefer to avoid on facial skin.
You only need 2 materials for the strip mixture: unflavored gelatin and milk. This makes 1 batch, and you will also need a microwave-safe bowl or cup plus q-tips or a cosmetic brush to paint it on evenly after you prep your skin with a warm, wet washcloth.
- 🧰 Materials You'll Need
- 🔧 Tools & Equipment
- 🛠️ How to Make Homemade Pore Strips
- 🛠️ How to Use Them
- 🎨 Customization Ideas
- 🛡️ Safety Information
- 💸 Cost Breakdown
- 🛍️ Need Help Finding Everything?
- ❓ Frequently Asked Questions about MYO Biore Strips
- 📌 Love this MYO Biore Strips? Pin it!
- 🖨️ Print-Friendly How-To: MYO Biore Strips
Materials You’ll Need
- 1 Tbsp Knox unflavored gelatin
- 1 1/2 Tbsp milk
Tools & Equipment
- Microwave-safe bowl or cup
- Q-tips or a cosmetic brush
- Washcloth
- Microwave
How to Make Homemade Pore Strips
- Place 1 tablespoon of Knox unflavored gelatin and 1 1/2 tablespoons of milk in a microwave-safe bowl or cup.
- Microwave the mixture for 10 seconds.
- Before you begin, place a nice warm, wet washcloth over your face to help open the pores so the strips can work easier. Do not leave your face wet.
- Test the mixture to make sure it is not too hot.
- Apply the mixture to your face with q-tips or a cosmetic brush. Just kind of paint it on.
- Let the mixture dry in place for 20 to 30 minutes. It will dry very, very stiff.
- Simply peel it off.
How to Use Them
This works best as a small batch treatment when you want to target areas where blackheads tend to collect. Paint it over the area, let it dry completely, then peel it away once it has turned stiff and fully set.
This pretty much works just like Biore Strips, removing blackheads and cleaning the pores.
Customization Ideas
This formula is intentionally basic, which keeps it inexpensive and easy to mix in seconds. If you want better control, adjust where you apply it rather than changing the ratio. Use a thinner coat for smaller spots or paint only the nose, chin, or another trouble area instead of covering more skin than you need.
If you are building out a budget-friendly skincare routine, pair simple projects like this with other make-it-yourself basics such as MYO Plaintain Face Cream or MYO Face Make-Up.
Safety Information
Always test the mixture temperature before it touches your face. Warm is fine. Hot is a quick way to regret your life choices.
If your skin tends to react easily, patch test first on a small area before using a full application. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends testing skin care products on a small spot for several days first to help predict irritation or sensitivity reactions. You can see their patch-testing guidance here.
Do not apply this mixture to broken, irritated, or freshly scrubbed skin. Let the strip dry fully before peeling so you do not tug at skin that is still damp or soft.
Cost Breakdown
Using current Walmart pricing, a 4-count 1-ounce box of Knox unflavored gelatin costs $7.29. Since 1 tablespoon is about half an ounce, the gelatin in one batch costs about $3.65. Adding 1 1/2 tablespoons of milk brings the total estimated batch cost to roughly $3.79. If you buy gelatin in a larger package, your cost per batch drops quite a bit.
🛍️ Need Help Finding Everything?
- Knox Unflavored Gelatin at Walmart
- Knox unflavored gelatin on Amazon
- Cosmetic brushes at Walmart
- Cosmetic brushes on Amazon
- Cotton swabs at Walmart
Frequently Asked Questions about MYO Biore Strips
Yes. This works well as a spot treatment, especially on the nose or chin. Just paint it where you want it instead of coating more skin than necessary.
Leave it on for 20 to 30 minutes, or until it dries completely and feels very stiff. If it still feels tacky, give it a little more time before peeling.
Wait and test it again before applying it to your face. You should always make sure it is not too hot first.
Use a nice warm, wet washcloth first to help open the pores, but do not leave your skin wet when you paint the mixture on. Damp is not the goal here.
Q-tips or a cosmetic brush both work. Use whichever gives you better control for the area you want to cover.
This is best mixed fresh and used right away. The original method is written as a quick single batch, so make only what you plan to use.
Yes. As it dries, it gets very, very stiff. That is normal for this mixture.
Patch test first if your skin tends to react easily, and skip it on broken or already irritated skin. If something feels off, stop there.
No. This is a simple DIY add-on for occasional pore cleanup. It does one job, and that is enough work for one tiny bowl of gelatin.
📌 Love this MYO Biore Strips? Pin it!
Did you try this project? Tell me where you used it and whether you brushed it on with q-tips or a cosmetic brush.
🖨️ Print-Friendly How-To: MYO Biore Strips
MYO Biore Strips
Equipment
Materials
- 1 Tbsp Knox unflavored gelatin
- 1 ½ Tbsp milk
Instructions
- Combine 1 Tbsp Knox unflavored gelatin and 1 1/2 Tbsp milk in a microwave-safe bowl or cup.
- Microwave for 10 seconds.
- Place a nice warm, wet washcloth over your face to help open the pores. Do not leave your face wet.
- Test the mixture to ensure it is not too hot.
- Apply to the face with q-tips or a cosmetic brush, painting it on.
- Let the mixture dry for 20 to 30 minutes until very stiff.
- Peel it off.
- Test the temperature before applying to skin.
- Patch test first if your skin is easily irritated.
- Do not use on broken or irritated skin.
- Estimated cost reflects consumable materials only and will vary by brand and package size.
