Breathe Right Nasal Strips Review: Do They Stop Snoring?

What Are Breathe Right Strips?

Breathe Right is the original and best-known brand of nasal strips. Invented in 1991 and now manufactured by Haleon (formerly GSK Consumer Healthcare), they're adhesive strips placed across the bridge of the nose that use spring-like bands to gently lift the nostrils open.

How Do They Work?

Each strip contains flexible, spring-like bands embedded in an adhesive pad. When applied across the nose, these bands try to straighten, lifting the sides of the nose and opening the nasal valve. Clinical studies show they can increase nasal airflow by up to 31%.

More airflow through the nose means less mouth breathing, which is one of the primary causes of snoring.

Breathe Right Range

Original

• Available in Small/Medium and Large
• Tan and clear (invisible) options
• Standard lifting strength
• Best for most users

Extra Strength

• 50% more lifting power than Original
• Available in tan only (large size)
• Stronger adhesive
• Best for severe congestion or larger noses

Pros

• Drug-free and non-invasive
• Instant effect — works from the first use
• Clinically proven to increase nasal airflow
• Safe during pregnancy
• Widely available in UK pharmacies (Boots, Superdrug, Amazon)
• Easy to use — peel and stick

Cons

• Single-use — ongoing cost of £6–10 per 30 strips
• Can cause skin irritation with daily use
• May fall off during sleep (especially for oily skin)
• Only works on nasal-level snoring — won't help throat-based snoring
• Extra Strength adhesive can be painful to remove

Do They Actually Stop Snoring?

Breathe Right strips are effective for snoring caused by nasal congestion — blocked nose, allergies, a narrow nasal valve, or cold symptoms. They won't help with snoring caused by throat vibration (soft palate), tongue collapse, or sleep apnea.

If nasal strips reduce but don't eliminate your snoring, consider combining them with a mouthpiece to address both nasal and throat components.

Breathe Right vs Internal Nasal Dilators

For a detailed comparison of external strips versus internal dilators, see our Nasal Dilators vs Strips guide. In short: strips are easier and non-invasive; dilators are reusable and more effective for moderate obstruction.

Our Verdict

Breathe Right strips are a solid first-line option for nasal snoring. They're safe, effective, and instantly available from any UK pharmacy. The ongoing cost is the main downside — if you use them nightly, consider switching to reusable nasal dilators for better value.