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Life before pimple patches was a nonstop cycle of popping, picking, and peeling. But now, when a zit pops up, it’s time to just put a sticker on it. The targeted treatment—which comes in every shape and form, from bright yellow stars to super-thin transparent material that doubles as a concealing treatment—remedies pesky breakouts in an easy, fun way.
“They are designed to shrink the pimples quickly. They promote wound healing and also help prevent patients from picking or squeezing their pimples, which often makes matters worse and can lead to dyspigmentation or permanent scarring,” Dr. Lauren Penzi, MD of MDCS Dermatology New York tells ELLE.com.
However, pimple patches aren’t a magic bullet and require some additional support—such as potent serums, red LED light devices, and something to treat hyperpigmentation that might be left behind—to ensure all of their efforts aren’t in vain. Ahead, shop the 17 best ones on the market.
Pros
Works fast to pull out gunk
Cons
- Not transparent enough for darker skin tones
Nobody has to know that there’s a giant zit dampening your mood. These patches from Mighty Patch are transparent enough (for lighter tones) to conceal your skin woes. Each patch is formulated with medical-grade hydrocolloid to suck the gunk out of your pimple and slow growth overnight.
Amazon star rating: 4.5/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer said: “I swear by these patches. I feel a pimple coming up, and I pop a patch on it, 8 hours later, gone.”
Pros
- Comes with reusable case
Cons
- Don’t always stay stuck to skin
Thanks to these star-shaped patches, dealing with breakouts isn’t as embarrassing. Starface’s Hydro-Stars do the heavy lifting for you by drying out pimples and speeding up healing time, all while concealing your pimples with bright yellow stars that look so cute you’ll forget what you’re actually wearing them for. Plus, all your stars come in a compact yellow mirrored case that doubles as a holder for little trinkets.
Starface star rating: 4.4/5 stars
A Starface reviewer said: “I absolutely adore my Hydro Stars! They really help keep my pimples under control and keep me from picking until my skin gets raw. Not to mention they are adorable!”
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3
Best for Hormonal Acne
ZitSticka KILLA Kit Deep Zit Microdart Patch 4-Pack
Pros
- Reduces the size of cystic acne
Cons
- Only comes with four patches
Pop on these “killa” patches the second you feel of an incoming bump. Formulated with both salicylic acid and niacinamide, your breakouts will be stopped in their tracks without leaving any unwanted signs behind.
Ulta star rating: 4.7/5 stars
An Ulta reviewer said: “I put this on a very painful under-the-skin abscess and it got rid of it in two days!!! Absolutely amazing. Normally I am in pain for weeks waiting for it to come to a head or go away on its own. These are expensive but worth it.”
4
Best for Beginners
Peace Out Salicylic Acid Acne Healing Dots
Pros
- Great for white heads and already-surfaced bumps
Cons
- Not best for hormonal acne
As the name suggests, “peace out” is exactly what these patches say to all incoming acne. Salicylic acid, aloe vera, and vitamin A are the star ingredients working together to heal your pimples
Sephora star rating: 4.2/5 stars
A Sephora reviewer said: “I love this product!!! I accidentally stumbled upon it in the store and it has been a game changer. I get pimples that look like boils and it completely reduces them and hardly leaves marks that I would get by popping them. So worth it!”
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5
Best for Different Blemish Sizes
Sweet Chef Carrot Ginger Blemish Rescue Patch
Pros
- Treats blemishes at any stage
Cons
- Not sticky enough
Breakouts vary in size, so Sweet Chef designed a set of patches that offer coverage for any size blemish—from small early pimples to large fully-formed ones.
Sweet Chef star rating: 4.9/5 stars
A Sweet Chef reviewer said: “These pimple patches came at the right time. I had been dealing with some breakouts and had a big painful one on my cheek. I used it continuously for a few days and it doesn’t hurt anymore and I can tell it’s healing. I love the design on one of them and use those overnight. Also, the bigger one works for cluster areas, which was helpful for my chin. Overall, great product and love the size variety.”
Pros
- Comes with two different patch sizes
Cons
- Not suitable for sensitive skin types
Fans of PanOxyl’s acne foaming wash will love its overnight pimple patches, which continue the work of reducing breakouts by using hydrocolloid technology to dry out the pus found in pimples regardless of size or stage.
Amazon star rating: 4.7/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer said: “I’ve used every pimple patch under the sun and there are the best by far. They work better and faster than any other brand I’ve tried!!”
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Pros
- Reduces redness
Cons
- Adhesive isn’t super strong
Neogen’s transparent hydrocolloid patches shield your breakout from water, dirt, and other threats on the outside while creating enough moisture underneath to minimize scarring.
Amazon star rating: 4.4/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer said: “I tend to scar easily when I get occasional acne. Putting these on ensures I don’t touch it throughout the day, it stays clean, and, nine times out of 10, it’s gone by the next day.”
8
Best Skin Care Ingredients
Mario Badescu Drying Patch
Pros
- Effective skin care ingredients for best results
Cons
- Not for large pimples
Here’s the peel-and-go alternative to Mario Badescu’s fan-favorite Drying Lotion. Unlike the lotion, these patches contain hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, and niacinamide to reduce the appearance of pimples and keep scabs and scars at bay.
Ulta star rating: 3.1/5 stars
An Ulta reviewer said: “I love these patches because they really work. I buy them over and over again and always will.”
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Pros
- Comes with 96 patches in two different sizes
Cons
- Not best for overnight use
The Miracle Invisible Spot Cover patches are super thin and transparent, so you can feel comfortable carrying on with your day without fear of your breakouts getting in the way. These patches work better for breakouts that have already surfaced, but Rael has a slew of other patch formulas for deeper, larger, darker spots.
Amazon star rating: 4.5/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer said: “I’m so glad I found this product. I have menopause acne that I can’t stop messing with lately. When I put these dots on a blemish, it keeps me from messing with it, and it heals it three times as fast as when it’s uncovered. I will be buying these every month now. So happy! Satisfied customer!”
Pros
- Stickers wide enough for large breakouts
Cons
- Tea tree and peppermint oil could be irritating for sensitive skin
You’ll buy these for the pretty purple butterfly packaging, but the true staying power lies in the results. The formula features tea tree oil, peppermint oil, and salicylic acid to calm and exfoliate the skin.
Ulta star rating: 4.6/5 stars
An Ulta reviewer said: “I have never written reviews before, but I feel like I NEED to!! These work wonders! I will put one on a pimple (either fresher or picked at) and it will be completely gone the next morning. Definitely give it a try!”
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11
Best Value
Alba Botanica Alba Botanica Acnedote Pimple Patches, 40 Count
Now 38% Off
Pros
- Reduces inflammation
Cons
- Not best for sensitive skin
When your pimple is baked and ready, allow these Alba Botanica patches to finish the job. They go on clear, contain fruit extracts and tea tree oil for fast recovery, and are designed to fit small and large zits.
Amazon star rating: 4.5/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer said: “I love these these little pimple patches! They work wonders with deep cystic zits that just want to linger. I like to put them on before bed and every time there’s significantly less inflammation. I currently am unable to use salicylic acid, so there’s not a lot of options. These are my go-to!!”
Pros
- Strong adhesive for longer stay
Cons
- Takes time to see results
Here’s a set of patches that work for most skin types, no matter if you’re dealing with stubborn hormonal acne or ripe breakouts. The adhesive is strong, so the patch will stay in place.
Soko Glam star rating: 4.7/5 stars
A Soko Glam reviewer said: “I love using these when I feel my skin is breaking out or about to. The patch does a great job at protecting my skin and sucking our impurities. Great for travel too!”
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Pros
- Reduces inflammation and redness
Cons
- Adhesive isn’t very strong
If your skin attracts oil, CORSX’s pimple patches work to absorb it all to prevent future breakouts. The patches come in different sizes, so you can treat active breakouts all over your skin.
Ulta star rating: 4.7/5 stars
An Ulta reviewer said: “I love these. They’re great for any big acne spots. I just put them on overnight, and by the morning, the spot is pretty much gone, or at least much less inflamed. I would recommend these!”
Pros
- Packaged in a reusable case
Cons
- Not best for sensitive skin
Welly’s pimple patches are thin, discreet, and easy to remove. The patches allow you to forget about picking or troubling your bump, as the hydrocolloid bandages moisturize and heal the area.
Amazon star rating: 4.4/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer said: “These things are amazing. Whenever I feel a zit coming on, I put one of these on it before I go to bed, and most times, by morning, the zit is gone. I will always have some on-hand.”
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15
Best Complete Kit
Patchology Breakout Box 3-in-1 Acne Treatment Kit
Pros
- Treats face and nose
Cons
- Pricey
After getting your pesky breakouts under control, the last thing you want to deal with is more troubles around and on top of your nose. This kit not only provides the anecdote for blemishes around your face, but also comes with nose strips to pull out any gunk and oil trapped in your nose.
Amazon star rating: 4.3/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer said: “I get these for my husband who has oily skin and some hormonal adult acne. We’ve tried other patches and ointments, but the stuff in this breakout box works better than any of the others we have tried! Would recommend and purchase again!”
Pros
- Fights against inflammation
Cons
- Needs a stronger adhesive
When you begin to feel those uncomfortable, beneath-the-surface pimples yelling to escape, reach for the Peach Slices’ Deep Blemish Microdarts. Your breakouts will finally appear, but won’t persist long, thanks to the salicylic acid and tea tree oil infused in each patch.
Amazon star rating: 4.2/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer said: “I wore one patch on a deep blemish overnight and kept it on for the full 8 hours. The blemish was gone and there was no redness or irritation.”
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What ingredients should you look for in acne patches?
As you browse the interwebs for pimple patches, you’ll notice one word appearing on every box: hydrocolloid. “Pimple patches contain hydrocolloid gel that has powerful wound-healing properties. It acts to absorb excess fluid and remove excess dirt, oil, and sebum, which helps to quickly shrink the appearance of pimples,” Dr. Lauren Penzi, MD, explains. Of course, many patches are formulated with other familiar ingredients found in your daily skin care products.
“Some patches also contain specific acne-fighting ingredients such as salicylic acid and tea tree oil. The patch helps to occlude these acne-fighting ingredients, which make them more effective, “she adds.
How do you apply acne patches?
Like adhering a sticker to a computer or book, acne patches work similarly. However, you’ll need to prep your skin beforehand to ensure you’re getting the most out of your pimple patches. Dr. Penzi suggests applying acne patches at nighttime just before heading to bed.
“After removing your makeup, cleansing your face, and ensuring your skin is dry, apply the patch to your pimple. I recommend leaving it on for six to eight hours. Avoid wearing the patch for more than 12 hours, as this can lead to potential irritation,” she explains. Even though you want to suffocate the pimple as much as possible, it needs to breathe. “After removing the patch, I recommend again cleansing your face to remove any pus or bacteria,” she says.
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How often should you use acne patches?
“You can use acne patches as often as you like. I recommend first testing the product on your inner forearm to ensure you don’t have a reaction to an ingredient in the patch before leaving it on your face for a prolonged period of time. I also recommend reserving pimple patches for larger inflammatory papules and nodules,” Dr. Penzi says.
Meet the Expert
Dr. Lauren Penzi is a New York-based board-certified dermatologist who specializes in acne, rosacea, skin cancer, eczema, psoriasis, and hair loss.
Nerisha Penrose
Beauty Commerce Editor
Nerisha Penrose is the Beauty Commerce Editor at ELLE.com. Prior to joining the team, she was an Editorial Fellow at ELLE.com. In her current role, she helps lead coverage on makeup, skin care, hair, and fragrances. With over six years of experience in the world of beauty editorial, Nerisha enjoys delving deep into the complexities of fragrance notes, hunting for the best fixes for acne-prone skin, and advocating for daily sunscreen use. She regularly researches and tests the latest products, consults beauty professionals (including our Beauty Advisory Board) to determine the best expert-approved formulas to recommend, and conducts interviews with luminaries across the industry. Nerisha received her bachelor’s degree in Communication and Media Studies from Temple University before joining the editorial teams at Nylon and Billboard. In 2020, she co-launched our popular franchise The State of Black Beauty, an ongoing exploration of—and destination for—beauty at the intersection of Black culture.
Margaux Anbouba
Margaux is the former Beauty Editor at ELLE who wants to try it all and do it all…and she does. She’s not afraid to chop, slather, dye, swipe, inject, and more—and if it’s worth your time and money, she’ll rave about it here.
