There’s nothing we like about acne — let alone, that one stubborn blemish that rears its ugly head right when we want it the least (a wedding, a date night).
For a relatively quick fix that can help diminish the appearance of redness or texture, a great pimple patch can help. Better yet, you can pick them up quickly online to have on hand for those spur-of-the-moment beauty emergencies.
Not only is there a wealth of options (more on that below), but it’s simple to incorporate one into your skincare routine, regardless of your skin type. (Related: best acne spot treatments).
“You can use pimple patches daily after make-up, moisturizer, eye cream and sunblock,” Jeanine Downie, MD, board-certified dermatologist and FAAD director of Image Dermatology P.C., told the New York Post. “You can start seeing results with pimple patches in as little as one day for some people.”
However, while pimple patches are safe to use and a quicker fix than other dermatological treatments, they’re not a dermatologist’s first choice — especially for cystic acne.
“I believe that the best thing for treatment of acne is to see a dermatologist, esthetician or skincare professional,” Marina Peredo, MD, a board-certified dermatologist specializing in aesthetic dermatology and associate clinical professor at Mount Sinai Hospital with 31 years of experience, told The Post. “If you can’t get to one, then pimple patches are an option.”
Our dermatologist experts answered some FAQS below, of which we used to determine the 20 best pimple patches of 2022 to buy and have on hand. They’re the small but mighty essentials worth grabbing when those pesky zits flare up.
Click to jump to the best pimple patches:
What pimple patches work the best?
The golden question, right? If you can’t get to your local dermatologist for your skincare concern, Peredo recommends specific ingredients to help fade away the appearance of acne.
“I prefer ingredients like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide because they actually treat acne,” she says. “If you’re treating discoloration or an acne scar other ingredients such as tea tree oil or hyaluronic acid are OK.” She also recommends retinol.
How often should I use a pimple patch?
It seems simple: just use one when you have a zit! But, Peredo has particular recommendations to ensure you’re using them safely and effectively.
“Pimple patches should be applied after cleansing and drying your face to ensure the patch will stick,” she notes. “After you apply the patch, you can go through the rest of your skincare routine as you normally would.”
Also, be sure to look at the instructions on the package. “I don’t recommend wearing the patch for more than 12 hours,” she adds.
Best Pimple Patches
As one of the hottest and most effective options on the market, the Peter Thomas Roth Acne-Clear Invisible Dots help reduce the look of blemishes in as little as eight hours. They also contain salicylic acid, tea tree oil and hyaluronic acid — all three of which are recommended by our experts.
The Clearasil Ultra Overnight Spot Patches work by sealing out and acting as a barrier to bacteria while also absorbing spot secretions to help reduce the appearance of your blemish. Even better, they help reduce inflammation and the risk of scarring.
Not only do the Starface World Hydro-Stars Spot Treatment have one of the cutest looks, but they’re highly rated, too. They’re made with 100% hydrocolloid to help absorb fluid, reduce inflammation and shrink spots (all while looking cute).
We’ve been using the Peace Out Skincare Acne Healing Dots for months and can’t get over how great they are. Each one is infused with salicylic acid and retinol, along with aloe vera to help smooth the skin.
The COSRX Acne Pimple Patch is one of the most widely searched-for formulations on the market — and for a good reason. The brand’s spot treatments contain hydrocolloid, are unscented and come in three different sizes, depending on how large the blemish is.
Meet the pimple patches that have taken over the internet by storm: Hero Cosmetics’ best-selling Mighty Patch Original. With more than 107,000 reviews on Amazon, you’ll appreciate its vegan, colloid-infused treatment that will work in as few as six hours.
The Curology Emergency Spot Patches absorb pus and oil quickly while being a super affordable buy, too. The brand’s pimple patches are friendly on all skin types and don’t contain any drying ingredients.
Rael’s Miracle Invisible Spot Cover is one of the buzziest pimple patches out there, much ado to its hypoallergenic and unscented design. The patches come in two sizes and the clear, matte finish seamlessly blends with all skin tones.
The Avarelle Pimple Patches are less than $10 and contain skin-soothing tea tree oil, as recommended by our dermatologists. They’re also vegan, have an ultra-transparent finish and boast more than 68,000 rave reviews on Amazon.
Not only will the Florence By Mills Spot a Spot Acne Treatments help fade away your blemish, but the patches themselves are in adorable purple shapes that you can even post on Instagram with. What’s more, they’re vegan, cruelty-free and contain a blend of skin-soothing ingredients: hydrocolloid, salicylic acid, tea tree oil and peppermint oil.
We love just about everything Mario Badescu, so it’s no surprise the brand’s Drying Patches made the cut. With 60 patches for less than $20, you’ll be ready to rock and roll, especially since they contain niacinamide (to make your skin more supple) and vitamin C (to make your skin brighter) alongside salicylic acid.
For just $5, you don’t want to pass up the Peach Slices Acne Spot Dots. They’re fast-acting, are cruelty-free and non-drying, making them apt for any skin type in a jiffy.
The ZitSticka Killa Kit is the all-in-one box to have on hand for serious pimple emergencies. Specifically, this set comes with the longest and sharpest micro-darts on the market that are anti-abrasive and super effective. Plus, they’re infused with quality ingredients, including salicylic and hyaluronic acids and niacinamide.
The Patchology Breakout Box is a 3-in-1 Pimple & Acne Spot Treatment that contains 24 blemish-shrinking salicylic acid dots, 24 whitehead-absorbing hydrocolloid dots and three detoxing charcoal nose strips. It’s a perfectly packaged set (think: first-aid kit for beauty).
We adore Dr. Jart+’s face masks, so it’s time we turned you on to the Focuspot Micro Tip Patches. For just $20, you’ll be surprised at how the treatments not only help say bye-bye to your pimple but also eliminate the appearance of dark spots.
Not only do we love the clever name of Saved By the Patch from Jason Wu Beauty, but the brand’s spot treatments are affordable (less than $15 at Target!) and are a clean, sulfate-free option you’ll feel good about.
The Alba Botanica Anecdote Pimple Patches are a great value for a plant-based option that’s less than $10. Namely, the brand is best for dry skin, especially, as the patches are impressively moisturizing.
Truly’s Blemish Treatment Acne Heart Patches are the most adorable, girly-girl pimple patches we’ve ever seen. We love the heart shape, but we love the fact that this set is clean and non-drying even more.
The PopBand Popspot Overnight Acne Busting Dots is a 48-count set that’s infused with salicylic acid and tea tree oil to help zap your pimple before anyone sees it. The ultra-thin make helps remove impurities and is cruelty-free.
What’s great about Soko Glam’s The Klog Soft Shield Pimple Patch is its vegan formula and two size options to help customize which one you’ll use. For just $6, it’s worth grabbing ASAP.
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