Editor Tip: Their sweat-resistant nature makes them an excellent pick for humid weather and strenuous workouts.
Key Ingredients: Hydrocolloid | Best For: Busy, on-the-go people who want to conceal their zits without sacrifices
Best for Blending In: Olive Young Care Plus Spot Patch
Why It’s Worth It: These patches from Olive Young are super adhesive, but won’t make you wince when you peel them off after six hours of sticking. Hydrocolloid protects blemishes from contact with dust and water and absorbs excess fluid while you go about your day. The patch features two “rings” — the inside ring containing the active ingredients, and the outside, the adhesive to help the sticker stay in place. Wearers especially love these patches for their translucence
Editor Tip: The efficacy of the patch maxes out around eight hours, so remove or replace it after that.
Key Ingredients: Hydrocolloid | Best For: People looking for an unnoticeable patch
Frequently Asked Questions
How do pimple patches work?
For the uninitiated, here’s how pimple patches work: Most are small, circular hydrocolloid bandages, meaning they absorb fluid and impurities from the pimple, explains Debra Jaliman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and assistant professor of dermatology at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City. They’re a beauty staple inspired by the tradition of hydrocolloid dressing to heal wounds.
The thinnest, most invisible patches are ideal for daytime wear, so you can treat your breakouts whenever, wherever you please. Or, you can opt for overnight wear to heal blemishes or hormonal acne in total privacy while you snooze. There are even stickers designed with extra-slim microneedles that deliver acne-fighting ingredients even deeper into the skin to confront your most stubborn, hard-to-reach breakouts.
Should I pop a pimple before putting on a pimple patch?
No, don’t even think about it. One of the reasons to wear a pimple patch is to curb your temptation to aggravate your skin with pimple-picking, says Elizabeth Tanzi, MD, the founder and director of Capital Laser & Skin Care and associate clinical professor in the Department of Dermatology at the George Washington University Medical Center. This is key, she explains, as “picking a pimple increases the inflammation and can slow the healing process down.” The chances of acne scarring, developing post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, and getting an infection rise when you pop your pimple.
What do pimple patches pull out?
You’ll know the healing dot is working because you can see it in action. The clear patch will turn white with gunk and expand. But what exactly is that gunk? Marisa Garshick, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City, previously told Allure, “Think of these [cystic blemishes] almost like a wound that needs to heal. By reducing the inflammation and fluid, you can help to improve the appearance.” AKA, the white stuff is the drawn-out fluid and excess sebum.
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When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that’s included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.