There are few things I love more than hopping on skincare-related bandwagons. Give me a fad, a new trend, or a new skincare obsession that everyone is raving about, and I’ll have found it, bought it, and be wearing the t-shirt before it’s even a week old.

This happened recently with Dermapore, a reasonably inoffensive looking ultrasonic device that claims to unclog pores and remove blackheads with one setting and infuse serums deeply into the skin with another.

Blackheads, medically-referred to as open comedones, are hair follicles or pores that become clogged with dead skin cells or excess sebum and let’s be honest, we are all completely and utterly obsessed with them.

If we weren’t trying to squeeze them out (painfully) with our fingernails when we were younger, we were trying to rip them out with pore strips when we were older. Partly because we wanted to get rid of them, but mainly because we wanted to look at the pore strip after we ripped it off. ‘Oh my god look how many there are!’ And so on.

Nowadays, we know more - a lot more. But not enough to deter us from buying expensive gadgets that we don’t need clearly. And so, I duly logged in to Cult Beauty and spent €100 (I know) on a device that looked like a spatula and promised to rid me of my blackheads forevermore (well, a few days anyway).

Before we get into the big review reveal, I have to say that it wasn’t really the claims and positive reviews that pushed me to purchase Dermapore in the end. It was the videos.

I googled ‘Dermapore demo’ and let’s just say one minute it was Monday and next, it was Tuesday. Think frighteningly close up (and occasionally slow-motion) shots of blackheads violently popping out of their cosy pores and you’re about halfway there. A slightly less gruesome, more palatable version of Dr Pimple Popper’s handiwork. And if you don’t know who that is, please google her. And before you do let me just say; ‘I’m sorry’ but also, ‘you’re welcome’.

Dermapore Dermaflash, €89 — *Dermapore Dermaflash,* *€89*

The day it arrived, I duly prepped my skin by double cleansing and then generously spritzed my face with water, as the skin needs to be thoroughly wet before using.

The device works by using ultrasonic currents to push the water into your pores, and then as you work it over your skin, the water shoots back out again (nice), pushing the excess sebum and dead skin cells out with it.

So, I pressed the pore-blasting button, and then worked slowly and steadily across my nose, chin, and forehead, my face glued to my x10 zoom mirror, moving the spatula this way and that, but always keeping it at a 45-degree angle as recommended.

The device emits a low-frequency buzzing noise and vibrates as it moves across your skin. It’s not uncomfortable by any means, but neither is it a relaxing experience.

A few blackheads popped out here and there, but alas, nothing too exciting. My skin started to get red and angry quite quickly, despite frequent water spritzing, and so it was game over after just a few minutes.

I tried again two nights later and experienced similar results. I also tried the other setting that claims to drive serums deeper into the epidermis and noticed very little difference in how my skin looked or felt post-serums. An epic fail, as the cool kids would say.

At this point, I had many unanswered questions. Where was the pore-free nose? Did the €100 I spent miss me like I missed it? Why can’t we return disappointing products here and get a refund like they do in the states? Etc.

In conclusion, dear reader, I’m sorry to tell you that this device will absolutely not change your life (or your blackheads).

But you know what will? The Ordinary’s Salicylic Masque.

The Ordinary Salicylic Masque €12 — *The Ordinary Salicylic Masque* *€12*

When used twice a week for a few weeks on targeted areas, it will banish (most of) your blackheads for good. And best of all? It’s €11.

I have this masque in my collection, and I know it’s good. I’ve used it for a long time, and I recommend it to everyone. And yet… I still went online and bought a device that looks like a spatula, because I’m a sucker for a skincare bandwagon.

I’m off to use the masque now actually. Right after I have a quick look on Cult Beauty…

Simon Gannon, January 2021.