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It’s strange to think that I got through my teens without pimple patches. Now, if I feel an angry zit developing, I pop on a pimple patch for a few hours and let it pull the nastiness out of my skin. In fact, on an average night you’ll find me in heatless curlers and flannel PJs, face dotted with swathes of gunk-sucking patches.
There are two main types of pimple patch: hydrocolloid and micro dart. As someone who’s suffered from cystic hormonal acne, I’ve used both. Hydrocolloid patches sit on top of whiteheads, drawing pus from the area and leaving a flatter appearance once removed. Micro-dart patches are for deeper, ache-y kinds of blemishes that haven’t yet surfaced: They lightly pierce the skin and deliver skin-care ingredients to the source.
Below, I’ve shared my recommendations for each type, but the best hydrocolloid patch and the best-micro dart patch have similarities. Firstly, the best pimple patches truly stick to my skin, and don’t fall off onto my pillow case. I also like patches that look almost imperceptible, and that take kindly to makeup being dabbed on top. (I know some people prefer a vibrant patch like a neon Starface sticker, though, so I made sure to test the quality of those too.) In micro-dart patches, I’m looking for all this as well as ingredients that soothe (and don’t dry) my skin.
My skin has been particularly spotty over the last 18 months, meaning I’ve had the chance to put several brands to the test (every cloud). As well as testing six patches, I also interviewed eight skin-care experts — including board-certified dermatologists, and our resident beauty writer — about their favorites, and how they choose them.
If you’re curious about how to best target blemishes, make sure you also read our pieces on the best acne treatments, non-pore-clogging moisturizers, and how to tackle post-pill acne. But before reading on, take stock of the one piece of advice all of our experts shared: Stop picking your pimples!
Update on November 17, 2024: Updated prices and checked stock for all products.
What we’re looking for
Ingredients
Hydrocolloid — a fluid-absorbing gel — is the ingredient in most pimple patches. “Hydrocolloids are wound dressings that have been used for decades on the skin for chronic ulcers, trauma wounds, and even burns,” says Dr. Jamie Glick, a dermatologist at New York Dermatology Group. You may have already used a hydrocolloid patch to treat a blister or small wound, and the process with pimple patches is the same: They draw out any excess oil and gunk. The patches also help acne blemishes to heal by acting as a physical barrier, keeping out bacteria and stopping you from picking.
Some other common ingredients in pimple patches include active acne-treating topicals like benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, and tea-tree oil. But Dr. Amy Perlmutter, also of the New York Dermatology Group, warns that some ingredients can be drying, and if you’re unsure or have particularly sensitive skin, you should reach out to a dermatologist to chat about which are best for you.
Appearance
As I mentioned, I like pimple patches to appear as imperceptible as possible, so I can wear them outside without it being glaringly obvious. Most of the patches on this list are small, thin, transparent dots, making them hard to spot on any skin tone. Some, like Starface’s neon sticky stars, are not like this by design. So, I’ve given a brief outline of how each of the patches look, and what sizes they come in.
Price
Beneath each pack, I’ve made a note of the price per patch.
The best hydrocolloid patches
Best pimple patches overall
Ingredients: Hydrocolloid | Appearance: Transparent dot, one size (12 mm) | Price: $0.33 per patch
For pesky whiteheads and deeper spots that have come to a head, there’s no beating Mighty Patches. They contain medical-grade hydrocolloid that calls to the excess fluid and oils in a blemish like a magnet, drawing it out of the skin. As they take about six to eight hours to work, I like to use them overnight. Any oil sucked out turns white on the transparent patch, and I get a (slightly gross) satisfaction from inspecting the evidence in the morning: You can really see the benefit. As they’re entirely transparent — turning slightly opaque only once they’re finished — they look subtle on a variety of skin tones. I myself only really notice them if I’m under a bright light. Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Margarita Lolis told me that as the patches are matte, a bit of foundation would help blend them even more: She was right. They’re also great value for money at 36 cents per patch — ideal if you absolutely fly through a pack like me. These patches contain only hydrocolloid, so they shouldn’t dry out sensitive skin, and Dr. Perlmutter tells me they also help the skin “maintain optimum pH level and temperature, which helps prevent bacterial overgrowth and promote healing.”
Best less-expensive patches
Ingredients: Hydrocolloid | Appearance: Transparent dot, mix of small (7 mm), medium (10 mm) and large (12 mm) | Price: $0.25 per patch
If the Mighty Patches are excellent value for money, I’m calling CosRX outstanding: 96 patches will set you back just $13 — that’s 14 cents per patch. They’re 100 percent hydrocolloid, and come in a range of three sizes, which lets you tackle different sizes of blemishes. They’re also the absolute favorite pimple patch of our resident beauty columnist, Rio Viera-Newton, who says they’re “the holy grail. Drop everything and buy them.” She also has some tips on how to use them: “If you pop or pick a zit, put this on immediately afterward, go to bed, and in the morning, you’ll see what I’m talking about and thank me.” (While neither of us are recommending picking — we know it happens.) I personally found the Hero Patch a bit stickier, and noticed that in the daytime the CosRX patches liked to start sliding after they’d been on for a few hours — but at their price point and with their sucking power, I feel they’re more than worth purchasing.
Best colorful hydrocolloid patches
Ingredients: Hydrocolloid | Appearance: Neon yellow stars, 12 mm | Price: $0.47 per patch
I’ve seen these patches everywhere (and I’m sure you have, too). They work using hydrocolloid in a similar way as the patches mentioned above, and I thought they had a pretty respectable oil-sucking power in the days that I tried them. I also was surprised by how much I enjoyed the lack of subtlety. I usually like to pop a patch on, forget about it, and get on with my day, but there was something liberating about doing the opposite of trying to conceal my spots. So they definitely injected a bit of fun into not picking away at my face all day — at a very affordable price point. They’re also recommended by Dr. Idriss, Viera-Newton, and Dr. Perlmutter. Basically: They’re not just a buzzy gimmick, they really do work.
I do want to point out, though, that I’ve found they can’t match the gunk-sucking power of other patches I’ve tried (and the rest of the Strategist beauty team agrees with me on that, too.) For example, when I recently tried Starface’s new clear pimple patches, I wasn’t particularly impressed. Yes, they did suck some gunk from a little whitehead I plastered them over, but not as much as other brands did. I think conspicuousness is the point of a Starface, so I’d recommend their funky patches, but if you want something stronger, I’d suggest Hero Cosmetics.
Best patches for body acne
Ingredients: Hydrocolloid | Appearance: Transparent dots or triangles, exact size not listed | Price: $0.34 per patch
These Neutrogena patches are ultra-thin, making them discreet when applied. I’ve highlighted them as a great choice for body acne thanks to their ranges in size. There are triangle shaped patches that fit well and stick smoothly to the contours of the nose, as well as being suitable for areas where there may be larger clusters of breakouts, like the chest or back. Dr. Perlmutter also tells me that, as they contain just hydrocolloid, they’re non-drying or irritating.
Best almost invisible patches
Ingredients: Hydrocolloid, azelaic acid, tea tree oil | Appearance: Transparent dots, mix of small (10 mm) and medium (12 mm) | Price: $0.44 per patch
These patches from ZitSticka have recently replaced the Mighty Patch Invisible as my favorite ultradiscreet pimple patch. That’s because in addition to hydrocolloid (which both patches have), they contain azelaic acid and tea-tree oil, both of which have calming properties on the skin. As someone with fairer skin who suffers from angry red spots, I’ve truly noticed the difference. They also have excellent gunk-sucking power and are crucially almost invisible: They melt into the skin, and once a dab of concealer is applied, you honestly might forget you’ve even popped one on before heading out.
Best micro-dart pimple patches
Best micro-dart pimple patches overall
Ingredients: Salicylic acid, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid and hyrocolloid | Appearance: Shiny ovals (one size, not listed) | Price: $3.62 per patch
I used to have have cystic acne, meaning deep, painful blemishes were a weekly occurrence for me. As these occur so far within the skin, I’d usually have to wait days for them to surface so I could pounce on them with a hydrocolloid patch. But with micro-dart patches, I can tackle the problem while it’s still yet to surface on the skin — which significantly expedites the whole process.
Out of all the kinds I’ve tried, the ZitSticka are undoubtedly my favorite. I’ve found that the process of bursting and calming a spot that once took a couple of weeks is now pretty much done in a couple of days. A few weeks ago, I got my first deep, cystic spot in a while and began to spiral that my acne was back. Having one of these patches to plaster over it and expedite the healing was immensely helpful in aiding me to calm down. Thanks to how quickly I got it out of my system (and some acne-scar fading products), it’s little more than a teeny red pinprick among my freckles.
They work by delivering a little salicylic acid, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid via micro darts into the skin. The salicylic acid helps increase cell turnover and dissolve any dead skin cells clogging the pores. Niacinamide then helps to reduce inflammation, and hyaluronic acid adds hydration. Then, there’s the added bonus of their hydrocolloid top layer, which means that they not only fight acne as it develops but then draw any evidence to the surface before it can linger. Fellow Strategist writer Dominique Pariso also suffers from hormonal acne, particularly around her period, so she likes to keep a stock of these patches. “The first time I slapped the patches on before bed, I woke up to find that the monster welts lurking beneath my face were flatter, calmer, and less red than they had been the night before,” she tells me. The patches also really grip to the skin well: I’ve never found one lurking in my bedsheets the next day. They’re quite thick and noticeable, though, so for me this is an overnight job.
Best less-expensive micro dart patches
Ingredients: Salicylic acid, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid and hydrocolloid | Appearance: Thick dots | Price per patch: $2.11
As the name suggests, these patches are truly prickly. I get a borderline sadistic thrill from working the micro darts into my face (I subscribe to an if I can feel it, then it must be working philosophy). I believe the reason that they feel more prickly than the ZitSticka patches is because they’re smaller in size, so the darts are more densely packed. They deliver all the same ingredients — salicylic acid, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid — followed by the hydrocolloid dessert to draw out excess oil. I slightly prefer the ZitSticka patches, as they’re a little bigger and my hormonal acne tends to spread out, but if you’re targeting a smaller area, they’re a truly wonderful option — and the cheaper price point means you can be a little less precious about when you deploy them.
Best colorful micro-dart pimple patches
Ingredients: Hydrocolloid, niacinamide, and salicylic acid | Appearance: Baby-blue clouds, 12 mm. | Price: $1.50 per patch
These cloud-shaped patches differ from the original Starface patches beyond just the look: In addition to hydrocolloid, they have darts that contain niacinamide and salicylic acid. The hydrocolloid dressing protects the affected area from dirt, and will also help absorb pus and oil. “You can actually feel this patch working when applied,” says Dr. Castilla. The patches are ideal for targeting cystic pimples in the early stages — if you feel the signature aching of a gnarly under-the-skin pimple, that’s the ideal time to press one on. However, as the additional ingredients may cause irritation, Castilla wouldn’t recommend these patches to those with sensitive skin, instead pointing patients back toward the original Starface patches.
Best patches for larger spots
Ingredients: Tea tree, salicylic acid, hyaluronic acid | Appearance: Transparent dots, one size (not listed) | Price: $3 per treatment (a wipe and a patch)
The Acropass Trouble Cure is actually a two-step process involving a wipe that treats your skin before you apply the patch. The wipe pairs acne-fighting tea-tree oil and salicylic acid, which can dry the skin, but the patch adds moisture back. “The Acropass has teeny-tiny microneedles infused with hyaluronic acid, an ingredient that deeply hydrates the skin, and niacinamide, a form of vitamin B3, which has brightening and soothing effects,” explains Viera-Newton. “The microneedles — which, I know, sound scary — are so thin you can barely feel them, and they puncture the zit to attack it from the inside out.” After testing them on a few different types of blemish, Viera-Newton says these work best on large, intimidating, unpoppable spots.
Some other products to combat breakouts
Our experts
• Dr. Carmen Castilla, board-certified dermatologist at New York Dermatology Group and clinical instructor at Mount Sinai Hospital
• Dr. Kristina Collins, board-certified dermatologist
• Dr. Jamie Glick, dermatologist at NY Dermatology Group
• Dr. Shereene Idriss, board Certified Dermatologist
• Dr. Margarita Lolis, board-certified dermatologist
• Dominique Pariso, Strategist writer
• Dr. Amy Perlmutter, dermatologist at NY Dermatology Group
• Rio Viera-Newton, Strategist beauty writer
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