The 15 Best Pore Vacuums for Clogged, Congested Skin

Blackheads don't stand a chance.

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Comedones are wild. All this gunk (read: dead skin cells, oil, leftover makeup) just gathers itself up, decides to clog up your pores, and eventually turns black—or, if pus and inflammation also decide to join the party, turns white. The best blackhead removers and acne spot products can help create a clearer complexion over time, but the best pore vacuums come in handy if you’re looking for either a quick fix or a deep clean. “Pore vacuums use a gentle suction force to pull out debris, oil, and dead skin cells clogged in pores,” explains Brendan Camp, MD, a board-certified dermatologist. “They can help improve the appearance of skin and minimize the appearance of pore size.”

In short, pore vacuums work, but should be used with an abundance of caution, especially if you have active acne, extremely dry, or overall sensitive skin. "People with balanced, well-moisturized skin and very mild blackheads can try pore vacuums," says Lori Aliksanian, MD, board-certified dermatologist and founder of MedBeautyLA. "I'd recommend using just one pass to see how your skin tolerates the pressure and try using the lowest setting over the entire area the first few times to monitor how your skin reacts."

I love having all of this incredible skincare technology at my fingertips, but there are a few things you should know. Most important on the list? You must use a well-vetted pore vacuum tool. Otherwise, you can be left with broken blood vessels, irritation, and redness.

Like any other at-home skin-care device, there's no one-size-fits-all approach to a pore vacuum. Everyone's skin is different, and subsequently, your experience with the tool will differ as a result. To ensure your purchase is up to par, the Marie Claire team tested some of the best pore vacuums—evaluating ease of use, safety, and customizability—and tapped skincare experts for their recommendations. Ahead, the top pore vacuums to win the battle against clogged pores, and how to use them correctly.

What to Look For in a Pore Vacuum

  • Customizable Suction

Let me say this loud and clear: Customization is key. Different areas of the skin can handle different levels of suction—it's not a one-size-fits-all situation. As such, you'll likely want to select a pore vacuum that has a variety of settings. "The greater the level of suction, the more likely you are to damage blood vessels leading to bruising," says Dr. Zeichner. "Areas of thin skin, like the neck and skin around the eyes are especially susceptible to trauma. Areas of thicker skin, like the nose, can tolerate higher suction levels." When in doubt, start with the low setting (if that's an option) and don't linger too long in any area.

  • Tip Options

A decent chunk of options on the market come complete with a singular base and a multitude of tip attachments. There's a good reason for all of the add-ons. "Different shape tips allow you to use the device in different parts of the face," says Dr. Zeichner. A more narrow tip would be ideal for the sides of the nostrils, while a larger tip could be used along the forehead. Some pore vacuums will also come with microdermabrasion tips, which offer gentle exfoliation and suction benefits, notes Dr. Zeichner.

  • Spatula Design

While most pore vacuums operate with suction, it's worth noting spatula devices as well. Sitting just adjacent to pore vacuums, these are probably preferable for sensitive skin types. According to Dr. Zeichner, they "offer gentle vibrations and can help remove blockages within the pores with gentle pressure that you control."

How Does a Pore Vacuum Work?

In the same way that a real vacuum will suck up dust from the floor, a pore vacuum will suck up pore-clogging materials. “Pore vacuums usually have three levels of suction that work like a vacuum for your pores,” explains Jamie O’Banion, the founder of BeautyBio. “The suction power increases with each level, so you can customize your treatment based on what’s best for your skin.” In the end, your pores should be cleaner and look smaller.

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Why Are “Hydra-Pore” Vacuums Better Than Regular Pore Vacuums?

Not all pore vacuums work the same way. Board-certified dermatologist Jenna Queller, MD, explains that “Hydra-Pore” systems—like professional HydraFacials—use water and serums, along with suction, to exfoliate, extract, and infuse the skin in a single controlled step. Traditional at-home pore vacuums rely solely on dry suction, which she notes carries a higher risk of irritation. “Dry suction has a higher risk of causing skin damage like redness, micro-tears, and broken blood vessels,” Dr. Queller says.

That doesn’t mean hydra-style vacuums are risk-free, though. Any device that uses suction can potentially disrupt the skin barrier, especially at higher intensities. The difference, according to Dr. Queller, is expertise and adjustability: “When performed by a professional, it is much safer, as they can adjust and regulate the suction.” A trained provider also knows when suction should be avoided altogether—particularly for very sensitive or thinned skin—making professional treatments a safer bet than DIY alternatives.

How Do I Use a Pore Vacuum?

Whatever you do, do not simply turn on the power button and go to suction town. You’ll want to read the instructions mega-carefully, as they vary by tool. The key to a successful treatment? “Always keep the tool moving and avoid hovering over a singular spot,” advises O’Banion. “If a tool is left on a single area, it can cause redness as circulation is pulled to that area.”

How Often Should I Use a Pore Vacuum?

The suction should clear whiteheads in one treatment, but you might need to be patient on the blackhead front—it can take time to fully dislodge deeper congestion. That said, overdoing it can backfire. Dr. Queller recommends spacing treatments out to protect the skin barrier. “Professional treatments should be done every four to six weeks,” she says, while at-home pore vacuums should be used even more sparingly—about once every three to four weeks—since frequent suction can cause excess mechanical stress and barrier damage.

If your acne isn’t responding to at-home treatments and you find yourself reaching for your pore vacuum often, Dr. Camp feels that “it’s time to schedule an appointment with a board-certified dermatologist who will help you establish a better understanding of the cause of your acne and develop a treatment plan.” For faster, more controlled results, a professional appointment may also be the better option. Dr. Aliksanian is a fan of in-office treatments like Diamond Glow facial, HydraFacial, and pore vacuum treatments performed by a licensed aesthetician, where suction levels can be carefully regulated.

Which Skin Types Can Use Pore Vacuums?

Pore vacuums are ideal for people with oily or acne-prone skin, especially those with blackheads or whiteheads that are already visible and have come to a head. “These devices are best used on comedones once they have developed,” Dr. Camp says.

What Skin Types Should Never Use a Pore Vacuum?

Pore vacuums aren’t for everyone—or every type of breakout. Certain skin types are far more likely to experience irritation, barrier damage, or worsening inflammation.

  • Sensitive or reactive skin: “Patients with sensitive skin may want to use a pore vacuum with caution,” warns Dr. Camp. Dr. Queller adds that suction creates mechanical stress on the skin barrier, increasing the risk of irritant dermatitis, redness, and prolonged sensitivity.
  • Rosacea-prone skin: Both Dr. Camp and Dr. Queller advise skipping pore vacuums entirely. Suction increases blood flow and pressure in superficial blood vessels, which can trigger persistent redness and broken capillaries.
  • Thin, fragile, or mature skin: Fair skin types, sun-damaged skin, and postmenopausal skin are more prone to bruising and broken capillaries due to reduced elasticity, making suction-based devices especially risky, according to Dr. Queller.
  • Inflammatory or cystic acne: “Those with more inflammatory acne, such as pustules and cystic lesions, will need a different form of treatment.” Dr. Queller adds that suction can rupture active lesions, spread bacteria, and increase the risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and scarring.
  • Compromised or broken skin: “You also have to be careful if you have any sort of bleeding disorder or bruise easily,” says Dr. Zeichner. He advises against using pore vacuums on open or raw skin or active conditions like eczema—something Dr. Queller echoes for eczema and perioral dermatitis, where suction can worsen inflammation and trigger flares.

What Are the Risks of Using a Pore Vacuum?

The most common issues when using a pore vacuum are skin irritation and redness, which is why sensitive skin types should steer clear. "Pore vacuums are a home version of the professional pore suction devices used by estheticians. They are not regulated as skin devices by the FDA (unlike professional versions), so they do pose some risks," shares Dr. Aliksanian. "The main risks are too much suction on the ski,n which can break capillaries and remain permanently apparent on the skin as unsightly red marks. It can also cause breaks or microtears in the skin, putting people at risk of breakouts and scarring."

Dr. Camp adds that pore vacuums can exacerbate existing skin conditions like acne or rosacea. “It can also cause discoloration in the form of hyperpigmentation, which can take a long time to resolve.”

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Meet the Experts

dr. brendan camp
Dr. Brendan Camp

Brendan Camp, M.D., is double board-certified in dermatology and dermatopathology and sees patients at MDCS Dermatology: Medical Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery, which has locations in Upper East Side, Hampton Bays, Commack, Smithtown, Plainview, and Midtown East of Manhattan, New York. Patients have been coming to him for his expertise managing medical conditions like acne, rosacea, eczema, warts, psoriasis, moles, and skin cancer, as well as cosmetic concerns and treatments with Botox, fillers, lasers, and other skin rejuvenation devices. Dr. Camp graduated with honors from Cornell University, earning a degree in biochemistry. He also completed a fellowship in dermatopathology at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in 2012. He has previously served as an assistant professor of dermatology at George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences and worked in private practice just outside Washington DC in Northern Virginia.

Dr. Jenna Queller
Dr. Jenna Queller

Dr. Jenna Queller is a board-certified dermatologist in Boca Raton and founder of DermWorksTM. Dr. Queller is highly trained in medical dermatology, dermatologic surgery, and cosmetic dermatology.  In addition to her general dermatology practice, she specializes in anti-aging skin care; laser treatments for wrinkles and discoloration; facial rejuvenation with neurotoxin and cosmetic fillers; hair loss and skin cancer prevention.

A black-and-white photo of a blonde doctor smiling at the camera.
Dr. Lori Aliksanian

During her years in practice as a wound care specialist, Dr. Lori Aliksanian (or Dr. Lori, as most of her clients know her) became fascinated by skin integrity and the body’s own regenerative potential. She began seeing patients with cosmetic aging concerns who wanted her help in restoring their appearance. She has since used her knowledge and expertise in skin healing to further maximize her aesthetic treatments.

Dr. Aliksanian holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Irvine and earned her MD at Ross University School of Medicine in Dominica, W.I. She completed an internship in general surgery at the University of Maryland in Baltimore, then returned to Los Angeles for a residency in general surgery at Harbor-UCLA and a fellowship in wound reconstructive surgery at Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center.

Dr. Joshua Zeichner
Dr. Joshua Zeichner

As the Director of Cosmetic and Clinical Research at Mount Sinai Hospital's Department of Dermatology, Dr. Zeichner has a broad interest in medical and cosmetic dermatology as well as clinical research. His specialty is the treatment of acne, as well as the cosmetic rejuvenation of the aging face. Dr. Zeichner treats general skin conditions, including eczema, rosecea, psoriasis, and skin cancer. In addition, he is well-versed in the use of Botox and dermal fillers, as well as lasers and chemical peels.

jamie o'banion
Jamie O'Banion

Jamie O'Banion is the CEO and founder of BeautyBio, a clean-clinical skincare brand focused on science-backed solutions. She was recently featured in Forbes as one of four female entrepreneurs to watch in their issue highlighting the most successful female entrepreneurs in America.

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Danielle Hardman
Danielle Hardman
Contributing Beauty Writer

Danielle Cohen is a freelance beauty journalist with more than five years of industry experience and a lifetime of beauty obsession to boot. Her writing has appeared in Allure, Elle, Glamour, InStyle, Cosmopolitan, Air Mail Look, Well + Good, CR Fashion Book, Refinery29, and Byrdie, among others. When she’s not doling out SPF recommendations, you can find her sifting through celebrity blind items, working on the daily crossword, or walking her French bulldog, Rollo. Keep up with her on Instagram @daniellemcohen. 

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