The Patch Match: The Best Pimple Patches for All Kind of Pimples

Want updates in your inbox?
Remember when it was only a few years ago and zit creams were still the go-to spot treatment for a breakout? Now, there are a million pimple patch options out there for your pimple. While all pimple patches help you keep your hands off your breakouts and prevent further irritation, they are not interchangeable.
Today, we’re going to explore how each patch works and when you should use it, so you can feel confident that you are treating your acne (and not just walking around with a sticker on your face).
The OG patch that began the whole pimple patch craze, these non-medicated patches use only hydrocolloid to absorb pus and gunk from a pimple that has already come to a head. Hydrocolloid patches are the ideal spot treatment for whiteheads and “poppable” pimples, as they pull out pus from the pimple, prevent skin picking and act as a moisture barrier to speed up recovery.
People are often surprised the first time they use a hydrocolloid patch, because you can actually see the pus on the patch when you remove it. It’s like the tiny patch did the job of popping your pimple for you, but without leaving your skin angry and inflamed.
This one’s pretty simple: high-quality hydrocolloid. Basically, the better quality the hydrocolloid is, the longer the patch is going to stick and the more it's going to absorb – which is quite essential for it to do its job of clearing the pus.
Trust the reviews. If beauty editors and thousands of reviewers are raving about a patch that’s so thin they literally forget it’s on their face (yes, we’re talking about Mighty Patch), it’s a safe bet that it’s made with quality ingredients.
If the word needle made you cringe, don't worry! The microneedles in these patches are so teeny-tiny that they don’t hurt at all. If anything, applying a microneedle patch is #oddlysatisfying, in the sense that you can feel a slight sensation, which makes you think the patch is doing its job. Because they penetrate the skin, microneedle patches deliver active ingredients to fight acne that’s under the surface.
The right pimples for a microneedle patch are under-the-skin, sometimes painful, early stage pimples – all pimples that are “unpoppable." Recently, a new category of microneedle patches has emerged: hyperpigmentation patches, such as Micropoint for Dark Spots. These patches use microneedles to dissolve powerful brightening ingredients in order to target dark spots and even out skin tone. They can be especially helpful in treating post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, or the dark spots that appear following a breakout.
“Medicated pimple patches often contain salicylic acid which help to dissolve dead skin cells and skin debris” says Allawh. Other helpful ingredients include tranexamic acid and vitamin C to brighten and fade dark spots.
The 173 hyaluronic acid microneedles in the Micropoint patches are able to unleash a super-dose of acne-fighting ingredients straight into a pimple’s core.
Flat medicated acne patches are filled with active ingredients that help to kill acne-causing bacteria or fight inflammation. Depending on the ingredients of the patch – which can range from salicylic acid to tea-tree oil, these patches can help to reduce bumps, pain, redness or other acne-related issues.
To reduce the size of nodules or cysts, look for salicylic acid and tea tree oil. To regulate excess oil production, find a patch with vitamin A.
Regardless of which type of patch you choose, here are a few tips to follow to maximize effectiveness:
[[product-ad]]
Get started with acne patches
Build your custom bundle0 items
0 items
Oops! Bundles and Subscriptions cannot be processed together. Please remove either one of the products to proceed. We’re sorry!
Only one Bundle can be added per cart.
Oops! You can only choose one type of subscription frequency for the same product.
Check out what we have to serve your acne needs!
Yay! You have free shipping.
Spend more for free shipping.
By using our website, you agree to our use of cookies in accordance with our Cookie Policy.