1
Best Overall
Starface Hydro-Stars + Salicylic Acid Star Patch
1
Best Overall
Starface Hydro-Stars + Salicylic Acid Star Patch
Pros
- Affordable
- Fun to wear
Cons
- May not work on all kinds of pimples
The 1% salicylic acid helps clear away dead skin cells and build up while hydrocolloid soaks up anything that lies beneath.
2
Cutest Shapes
florence by mills Spot a Spot Acne Patches
2
Cutest Shapes
florence by mills Spot a Spot Acne Patches
Pros
- Available in fun shapes
- Contain salicylic acid and tea tree oil
Cons
- Not everyone will see results overnight
Just because these come in cloud, butterfly, and whale shapes, doesn't mean they're any less powerful. Over 75% of users saw a reduction in spot size after eight hours and over 95% of users saw a reduction in redness after eight hours. It's the just-right mix of Hydrocolloid, Salicylic Acid, Peppermint Oil, and Tea Tree Oil that does all the hard work.
3
Best Multipurpose
Patchology Breakout Box 3-in-1 Pimple & Acne Spots Treatment Patch Kit
3
Best Multipurpose
Patchology Breakout Box 3-in-1 Pimple & Acne Spots Treatment Patch Kit
Now 25% Off
Pros
- Works on pimples, whiteheads, and blackheads
- Stops you from picking at blemishes
Cons
- Products can't be purchased separately
No matter your pimple problem, this patch toolkit will have you covered. There's three nose pore strips, 24 salicylic acid dots, and 24 hydrocolloid dots.
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4
Best For Travelling
HANHOO On the Go Blemish Patch
4
Best For Travelling
HANHOO On the Go Blemish Patch
Credit: amazon.comPros
- Cheap
- Comes with 108 patches
Cons
- Patches are small
Never be caught without a pimple patch again thanks to this (seemingly) endless wheel of patches. The roll of 108 (!) patches is dispensed through a compact so you can throw it in your bag and not worry about them getting bent or contaminated. Simple pull it out of the slot to get it started and grab your patches to your skin's content.
5
Best Invisible Patches
Peter Thomas Roth Acne-Clear Invisible Dots
5
Best Invisible Patches
Peter Thomas Roth Acne-Clear Invisible Dots
Credit: .Pros
- Very discreet
- Includes hydrating hyaluronic acid
Cons
- Don't help with dark spots
If you feel like your blackheads are glaring back at you in the mirror, reach for one of these translucent little disks. Tea tree oil works as a natural astringent while salicylic acid fights the targeted area without causing unnecessary irritation or dryness to the surrounding skin.
6
Best For Under-the-Surface Blemishes
ZitSticka Killa Spot Clarifying Microdart Patch
6
Best For Under-the-Surface Blemishes
ZitSticka Killa Spot Clarifying Microdart Patch
This remarkable creation from the Australian-based skincare brand was specifically designed with dreadful under-the-skin cysts in mind. Dissolvable micro-darts containing hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and salicylic acid penetrate the top two layers of skin, treating the pimple where it needs it the most.
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7
Best Overnight Patch
Peace Out Acne Healing Dots
7
Best Overnight Patch
Peace Out Acne Healing Dots
Credit: .Just because you committed a cardinal sin and attempted to pick at your pimple doesn’t mean you can’t benefit from an overnight patch that’ll speed up the healing process. Hydrocolloid technology will suck out all the gunk while salicylic acid breaks down the pimple, ensuring your blemish is most improved by morning.
8
Best For Body Breakouts
Avarelle Acne Cover Patch XL
8
Best For Body Breakouts
Avarelle Acne Cover Patch XL
Credit: walmart.comIf you suffer from pimples on your back or your chest, this is the product for you. The XL hydrocolloid patches are large enough to cover a major breakout, regardless of where it might flare up, thanks to soothing tea tree and calendula oil.
9
Best For Withstanding Workouts
COSRX Acne Pimple Master Patch
9
Best For Withstanding Workouts
COSRX Acne Pimple Master Patch
Credit: ulta.comDr. Gladstein recommends this best-selling hydrocolloid patch for treating pesky pimples. Still not convinced? Just read one of the 2,700 (and counting) Amazon reviews. Once applied, this K-beauty gem won’t budge, making it great to rock even during a workout. They also come in three different sizes so you can find a patch that perfectly covers your problem pimple.
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10
Most Popular
Mighty Patch The Original
10
Most Popular
Mighty Patch The Original
Credit: .These tiny hydrocolloid discs are smaller than a pencil eraser but they’ll work wonders overnight as they suck out the puss from your pimple, dramatically reducing the size of your blemish.
11
Best Budget
Nexcare Acne Blemish Cover
11
Best Budget
Nexcare Acne Blemish Cover
Now 17% Off
Credit: .For under $6 you can stock up on these durable hydrocolloid patches at your local drugstore (or on Amazon). The patch works like a sponge and zaps up puss and oil, minimizing the appearance of your pimple after one use.
12
Fastest-Acting
Peach Slices Acne Spot Dots
12
Fastest-Acting
Peach Slices Acne Spot Dots
Credit: .Trying to clear up a pimple ahead of a big date? These powerful, translucent patches are super-thin, making them totally discreet enough to rock under makeup, and the fast-acting hydrocolloid spot makes it possible to shrink your zit in less than a day. When it comes to clear skin, time is of the essence.
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13
Best For Inflammation
Dr. Jart+ Focuspot Blemish Micro Tip Patch
13
Best For Inflammation
Dr. Jart+ Focuspot Blemish Micro Tip Patch
Credit: .Fighting off a red, inflamed pimple? These powerful patches replicate the effect of a micro-needing procedure as they deliver an ample dose of niacinamide, (which calms inflammation), and oligopeptide-76, (to kill bacteria), all while improving the look of a bad breakout and delivering much-needed moisture.
14
Best Drugstore Buy
Alba Botanica Acne Pimple Patch
14
Best Drugstore Buy
Alba Botanica Acne Pimple Patch
This hydrocolloid patch is paired with tea tree oil (a natural anti-inflammatory and antibacterial ingredient), witch hazel (helps cleanse), and salicylic acid (clears out pores) for a major triple threat.
15
Best For Dressing Up
Squish Beauty Flower Power Acne Patches
15
Best For Dressing Up
Squish Beauty Flower Power Acne Patches
Credit: squishFor a major distraction, cover your whitehead with one of these bedazzled hydrocolloid patches—or wear them sans zits with some go go boots for a quick 70s Halloween costume—either way, these patches make covering zits cute and we're here for it.
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16
Best CBD Patch
Truly CBD Acne Patches
16
Best CBD Patch
Truly CBD Acne Patches
Credit: urban outfittersAlong with hydrocolloid and salicylic acid, this patch uses hemp seed oil to help calm inflammation and redness caused by pimples. Just maybe be leery of wearing this one to work.
17
Best For Dark Spots
Skyn Iceland Blemish Dots
17
Best For Dark Spots
Skyn Iceland Blemish Dots
Now 20% Off
Credit: walmart.comOn top of the usual ingredients (salicylic acid and tea tree oil), these patches also pack in hyaluronic acid to keep your spot hydrated and vitamin C to help lighten up any discoloration that pimples are synonymous for.
Hydrocolloid pimple patches soak up fluid.
Women's Health There are several types of pimple patches, the first and most common being hydrocolloid (a gel-like material that doctors have used for decades to heal wounds).
“Hydrocolloid patches are most effective at pulling fluid out of acne, making them best to use on puss-filled pimples, like whiteheads,” says Irene Gladstein, MD, founder and medical director at ENHANCE Aesthetic Arts in New York City. These patches are typically translucent then turn white as they draw out the gunk that was inside. Not only showing it to be super effective but also super satisfying.
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Salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide pimple patches unclog pores and reduce the size of the pimple.
Women's Health Another type of patch to look for is one with salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide, “two proven acne-fighting ingredients that will unclog the pore and help dissolve the sebum, thus diminishing the size of the pimple,” says Dr. Nussbaum. Though she notes that no matter which patch you choose, they are most effective when they’re applied during the early stages of a pimple at the first sight of any redness or inflammation.
Chelsea Burns is the Beauty Director for Women’s Health and has been writing in the beauty and wellness space for over six years with her work appearing in Real Simple, Health, Fitness, and Byrdie.com. She’s an expert at testing products and is always on the hunt for the best tinted moisturizer.
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