Acne patches

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It is such a moment when the night before a big day, your skin starts to itch, tingle, and produce a raised bump. A new problem is forming.

As you search for a quick and effective overnight treatment, you might find a patch for the skin problems.

Wait.

It is important to understand the different types before you start using the patch. Each is designed to treat different types of skin problems.

“Most of the patches work by absorbing excess fluid and removing dirt and oil that may be causing surface-levelAcne. They can be added to a skin care routine, and you can apply an antibiotic to your skin when it’s showing a white or yellow head. They may help to speed up the recovery process and even prevent scarring.”

When used wrong, you will be draining your money and time down the drain.

This article is for people who are trying to figure out which patches are best for their skin.

There are a number of benefits to using a patch for your skin, from keeping you from picking up your skin problems to providing UV protection and aiding in the healing process.

Just like there are different types of acne, there are different types of acne patches to treat them. Here’s a brief breakdown of the types of acne patches and when to use them:

Types of acne Which patch to use
• papules
• pustules
• nodular or cystic acne		 medicated
• pimples
• whiteheads		 nonmedicated
• deep nodular or cystic acne microneedle

Patches for active acne

Medicated patches are filled with active ingredients that help to kill the acne-causing bacteria. The patches help the absorption of the active ingredients.

They help to reduce bumps, pain, and redness and can be effective when treating inflamed acne, like papules. They may also help to reduce the size of lesions caused by nodular or cystic acne. The most common active ingredients of these patches are salicylic acid and tea tree oil.

Patches for healing acne

Nonmedicated patches are used for post surgical wounds to help speed up the healing process.

Nonmedicated patches are cut in a circle shape to fit the size of the pimples. They are incredibly thin, which means they are less noticeable if you wear them in public.

These patches work.

  • The water from your pores is being sucked out.
  • preventing another infections.
  • serving as a moisture barrier to help speed up recovery and prevent the formation of acne scars

Patches for cystic acne

Though the word “needle” may cause you some concern, worry not. Microneedle acne patches aren’t as scary as they sound, and they can be totally pain-free.

The patches contain dissolving micro needles that should be used to treat cystic or nodular acne. The patches can help deliver active ingredients to a deeper layer of the skin.

“It doesn’t hurt to give it a try if you’re interested in trying it out.”

We chose the patches based on their active ingredients, affordability, and company reputation.

We tried to choose products that were budget friendly. The good thing about the patches is that they are relatively inIt is expensive., and can often be found in value packs that can last a long time.

Pricing guide:

  • $ = under $15
  • $$ = $15–$30
  • $$$ = over $30

Best overall

COSRX Acne Pimple Master Patch

  • Main active ingredients: cellulose gum, styrene isoprene styrene block copolymer, polyisobutylene
  • Type of acne patch: hydrocolloid bandages
  • Price: $

“These patches are used to target whiteheads, blackheads, and zits. The patches are easy to apply and don’t wash off in the shower.”

Pros

  • stays on throughout the shower
  • It is fragrance-free.
  • Each pack has three patch sizes.

Cons

  • Can get It is expensive..
  • Not individually wrapped.
Shop now at Ulta

Best for It is very moist.

Peter Thomas Roth Acne-Clear Invisible Dots

  • Main active ingredients: salicylic acid, hyaluronic acid, tea tree oil
  • Type of acne patch: medicated
  • Price: $$$

These patches have salicylic acid and instantly reduce the appearance of blemish. The best part? They contain a substance called hyaluronic acid that helps your skin stay hydrated.

Pros

  • It is very moist.
  • Comes with 72 patches.
  • There were reports of improvement in 8 hours.

Cons

  • It is pricier than other comparable patches.
  • “Some people think that the dots don’t stay on.”
  • Smaller than average.
Shop now at Amazon

Best for soothing

Rael Miracle Patch Microcrystal Spot Cover

  • Main active ingredients: tea tree leaf oil, salicylic acid
  • Type of acne patch: medicated
  • Price: $$$

Tea tree oil and herbal extracts are included in the hydrogel patches to fight and protect the skin from infections. It has a substance to prevent skin from drying out.

Pros

  • Depending on the need, can cut large patches into smaller sizes.
  • It was designed for sensitive skin.
  • Strong bond.

Cons

  • There are some complaints that it leaves behind sticky tape.
  • Some reviewers think the patches are too thin.
  • Not the best patch for painful, cystic acne.
Shop now at Amazon

Best for preventing future breakouts

Mighty Patch Original

  • Main active ingredients: hydrocolloid
  • Type of acne patch: hydrocolloid bandages
  • Price: $

The highest grade hydrocolloid in the market is used to trap the skin in your face, so it looks better in a few hours. If you see a whitehead forming, apply to it as part of your skin care routine.

Pros

  • UV is harmful.
  • easy to peel sheets
  • stays on all night.

Cons

  • Not recommended for those with cystic or blackheads.
Shop now at Amazon

Best drugstore buy

Nexcare Acne Blemish Cover

  • Main active ingredients: hydrocolloid and ethylene oxide
  • Type of acne patch: hydrocolloid bandages
  • Price: $

The bandages are made from a bandage brand so they are durable. Excess oil from a blemish can be absorbed by each patch.

Pros

  • latex-free.
  • Heavy-duty.
  • transparent

Cons

  • Does not work for cystic acne.
  • Some people are upset that the patches fall off.
  • It It may be too small for some users..
Shop now at Amazon

Best for stubborn breakouts

Acropass Trouble Cure

  • Main active ingredients: hyaluronic acid, salicylic acid, tea tree leaf oil, niacinamide
  • Type of acne patch: microneedle
  • Price: $$

You need to bring out the big guns for deep, painful cystic acne. Each pack comes with a micro needle patch infused with hyaluronic acid to help keep the skin hydrated and a pad soaked in salicylic acid to cleanse the area.

Pros

  • Two-step treatment with potent ingredients.
  • painless
  • The patches are faster than the standard ones.

Cons

  • It is expensive.
  • It is possible that patches may be too small.
  • It It may require multiple applications to see results..
Shop now at Soko Glam

Best for cystic acne

ZitSticka KILLA Kit

  • Main active ingredients: salicylic acid, hyaluronic acid
  • Type of acne patch: microneedle
  • Price: $$

“These needle spot patches are your best friend for flare-ups. The patch can take better action and curb the zit if it has access to the zit’s source.”

To flatten and drain the redness, use overnight.

Pros

  • covers a large area.
  • There are reports of a reduction in the number of spots on the skin.
  • It is waterproof.

Cons

  • There are some notes of too much packaging.
  • It is slightly uncomfortable for some users.
  • The patch is only partially smed.
Shop now at Amazon

Best splurge

Peace Out Acne Healing Dots

  • Main active ingredients: hydrocolloid, salicylic acid, aloe, retinol
  • Type of acne patch: hydrocolloid bandages
  • Price: $$$

The patches block pollutants and calm the skin. Retinol and aloe are included to soothe irritated skin, tackle redness, and minimize the look of breakouts.

For the best results, use overnight.

Pros

  • It was released time-released.
  • redness is soothed.
  • It reduces inflammation.

Cons

  • Only one size.
  • pricey
Shop now at Sephora

Best for scarring

Dr. Jart+ Focuspot Blemish Micro Tip Patch

  • Main active ingredients: hyaluronic acid, vitamin B3, polypeptide
  • Type of acne patch: microneedle
  • Price: $$

The micro tip patch from Dr. Jart is made with vitamins B3 and peptides to help prevent scarring. This is a gentle option if you have sensitive skin.

What is a bonus? The patches are packaged in a sanitary way.

Pros

  • hydrating
  • works for deep skin issues.
  • helps prevent scarring

Cons

  • It It may be too small for some users..
  • Can get It is expensive..
Shop now at Sephora

Best for teens

Starface Hydro-Stars

  • Main active ingredients: hydrocolloid
  • Type of acne patch: hydrocolloid bandages
  • Price: $

“It’s not necessary to be shy when it comes to wearing your patches outside. The hydro-stars are supposed to be in the spotlight. Starface hydrocolloid patches can help absorb fluid and reduce inflammation.”

Pros

  • budget friendly
  • “It’s fun to wear.”
  • helps prevent scarring

Cons

  • Not the best patch for painful cystic acne.
  • It It may require multiple applications to see results..
Shop now at Target

Patch Main active ingredients Type Price Pros Cons
COSRX Acne Pimple Master Patch cellulose gum, styrene isoprene styrene block copolymer, polyisobutylene hydrocolloid bandages $ stays on throughout the shower,
It is fragrance-free.,
Each pack has three patch sizes.		 Can get It is expensive.., Not individually wrapped.
Peter Thomas Roth Acne-Clear Invisible Dots salicylic acid, hyaluronic acid, tea tree oil medicated $$$ It is very moist.,
Comes with 72 patches.,
There were reports of improvement in 8 hours.		 It is pricier than other comparable patches.,
“Some people think that the dots don’t stay on.”,
Smaller than average.
Rael Miracle Patch Microcrystal Spot Cover tea tree leaf oil, salicylic acid medicated $$$ Depending on the need, can cut large patches into smaller sizes.,
It was designed for sensitive skin.,
Strong bond.		 There are some complaints that it leaves behind sticky tape.,
Some reviewers think the patches are too thin.,
Not the best patch for painful, cystic acne.
Mighty Patch Original hydrocolloid hydrocolloid bandages $ UV is harmful.,
easy to peel sheets,
stays on all night.		 Not recommended for those with cystic or blackheads.
Nexcare Acne Blemish Cover hydrocolloid and ethylene oxide hydrocolloid bandages $ latex-free.,
Heavy-duty.,
transparent		 Does not work for cystic acne.,
Some people are upset that the patches fall off.,
It It may be too small for some users..
Acropass Trouble Cure hyaluronic acid, salicylic acid, tea tree leaf oil, niacinamide microneedle $$ Two-step treatment with potent ingredients.,
painless,
The patches are faster than the standard ones.		 It is expensive.,
It is possible that patches may be too small.,
It It may require multiple applications to see results..
ZitSticka KILLA Kit salicylic acid, hyaluronic acid microneedle $$ covers a large area.,
There are reports of a reduction in the number of spots on the skin.,
It is waterproof.		 There are some notes of too much packaging.,
It is slightly uncomfortable for some users.,
The patch is only partially smed.
Peace Out Acne Healing Dots hydrocolloid, salicylic acid, aloe, retinol hydrocolloid bandages $$$ It was released time-released., redness is soothed., reduces inflammation Only one size., pricey
Dr. Jart+ Focuspot Blemish Micro Tip Patch hyaluronic acid, vitamin B3, polypeptide microneedle $$ hydrating, works for deep zits, helps prevent scarring It It may be too small for some users.., Can get It is expensive..
Starface Hydro-Stars hydrocolloid hydrocolloid bandages $ budget friendly, “It’s fun to wear.”, helps prevent scarring Not the best patch for painful, cystic acne., It It may require multiple applications to see results..

When it comes to selecting a patch for an illness, ingredients are the most important thing. We recommend looking for ingredients that fight the signs of aging, like hyaluronic acid or niacinamide.

It depends on what you are trying to tackle as well as the makeup of the pimples. Medicated patches are great for active acne, while nonmedicated patches help speed up the healing process. If you have cystic acne, you may want to look for a micro needle patch, which is pain-free and helps get deeper into the skin.

If you have sensitive skin, you may want to skip the medicated patch and go for a basic hydrocolloid patch.

  1. Before you apply something, make sure to clean your face and hands.
  2. Pick the size that best fits the whole patch.
  3. It is a good idea to stick them on dry skin first.
  4. If the patches turn into an opaque color, let them sit for most of the day. They have taken out the debris from the pores when they have turned opaque.

Tips for how to use patches for active acne

  • You can use this patch as a first step of your routine. You can put it on over other products, but keep in mind that the active ingredients should be absorbed into the skin. Put them on before using a moisturizers to prevent water loss.
  • Look for words like active ingredients, salicylic acid, or tea tree oil.

Tips for how to use patches for healing acne

  • The patches are best used when the white or yellow head is present.
  • The packaging should say “nonmedicated” or “hydrocolloid patches”.
  • “Don’t apply the patches after using the products. You will waste your products if this is the case.”

Tips for how to use patches for cystic acne

  • Just like nonmedicated patches forAcne, make sure to use these patches as the first step in your routine.
  • “Don’t touch the micro needle side while applying the patches. You don’t want to have more bugs in your skin.”

Although it sounds like a promising and potentially no-pain, risk-free acne treatment, acne patches may not work on all different types of acne. For example, acne patches may not work as effectively on blackheads.

“The patches aren’t as strong as the regular strips and may not be able to remove the blackheads.”

The root cause of the problem will not be solved by the patches.

“If you don’t notice a difference after a few weeks of using the patches, you should see a doctor. They can help you shed light on your skin condition and help you treat it.”

If you have a cyst or a deep, sallow, and painful cyst, it is a good idea to schedule an appointment with a healthcare professional.

Do dermatologists recommend pimple patches?

“Swelling patches aren’t harmful, but some dermatologists recommend trying out other things before using them because they don’t always work for all types of skin problems. Moderate to severe skin problems need other treatment.”

What is the white stuff in pimple patches?

“The white stuff is the hydrocolloid mixing with your skin’s skin care products.”

Can you put a pimple patch on a popped pimple?

Make sure to cleanse the spot before applying. Most patches only work on the skin.

It is important to use the correct type of patches for the correct type of skin problems. When you need to reduce the appearance on a big day, using a patch of the skin is a great way to do it.

Claudia is a skin care and skin health enthusiast, educator, and writer. She’s currently pursuing her PhD in dermatology in South Korea and runs a skin care-focused blog so she can share her skin care knowledge with the world. Her hope is for more people to be conscious about what they put on their skin. You can also check out her Instagram for more skin-related articles and ideas.