11 best pimple patches for treating blemishes, tested & reviewed
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While squeezing a spot was common practice a decade ago, these days you're far more likely to catch us covering up our blemishes with the best pimple patches instead. Alongside snail mucin and overnight sheet masks, spot stickers are one of the many Korean beauty trends that we all can't seem to get enough of – and there are plenty of different types to choose from.
“Pimple patches can work really well as a quick fix for whiteheads that you've managed to catch early on," says Skincare Specialist, Rosa Scialo. So, it's well worth having a pack of mini hydrocolloid patches on hand for the inevitable moment when a raging whitehead decides to make an appearance right before a big event.
“Put simply, pimple patches help to speed up the healing process by absorbing the moisture in the spot, reducing redness and inflammation, and getting rid of the bacteria on the skin that’s caused the breakout in the first place,” Rosa explains. Therefore, unlike many other fast-acting acne treatments, they don't dry out your spots – and also act as a barrier that'll prevent you from picking, popping, or squeezing.
Wondering which pimple patches to pick for your specific needs? Don't worry – I've put loads of the most popular brands to the test for you, and pulled together this edit of only the very best options.
Glamour's top pimple patches, at a glance:
Featured in this article:
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How I tested the best spot patches:
I put these spot stickers to the test over a two-month period – applying each one to a classic whitehead pimple, and making sure I wore it for a minimum of eight hours. For every brand I tried, I first of all assessed how easy the patches were to apply and if they adhered well to the skin – then I looked at how noticeable they were, and if they stayed put for the whole eight hours.
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In terms of effectiveness, I made sure to note the visible changes to each blemish once I'd removed the spot patch. Was the pimple noticeably smaller? Could I see a reduction in inflammation? Was there less redness? I assessed each of these factors and noted if the formula contained any additional active ingredients that could provide additional treatment.
For context, my skin is relatively balanced, and doesn't fall into any particular ‘problem’ category. However, it gets dehydrated quite easily, and definitely errs on the sensitive side – which means that I do notice a direct correlation between using too many different exfoliating products and actives, and the appearance of a few whiteheads. And regularly testing out skincare products is something I do quite a bit of in this line of work – so I'm no stranger to the odd pimple. Read more about how we test at Glamour here.
Why you can trust me:
I'm Georgia Lockstone – a freelance journalist and shopping writer, who's been writing about all things skincare and beauty for the best part of a decade. In that time, I've tested hundreds of products and written up reviews for the likes of Glamour, GQ, Marie Claire, and Metro. With this in mind, I've built up a wealth of knowledge on skincare – meaning I'm well-equipped to pick out the best pimple patches.
To ensure that I'm fully clued up on what to look for in a pimple patch, I've also consulted a range of different skincare experts and dermatologists – quizzing them on key ingredients, the types of blemishes they work best for, and even how to properly apply them. So, you can rest assured that I've covered all possible bases when putting together this edit.
Meet the experts:
| Dr Nora Jaafar | Dermatological and Aesthetic Doctor. |
| Dr Aiza Jamil | Consultant Dermatologist. |
| Dr. Sonia Khorana | Dermatologist. |
| Rosa Scialo | Skincare Specialist. |
Ahead, the best pimple patches, spot stickers and acne patches in stock right now.
The INKEY List Hydrocolloid Invisible Pimple Patches
- Number of patches included: 22.
- Transparent or opaque: Transparent.
- Key ingredients: Hydrocolloid, salicylic acid, succinic acid, and ectoin.
A bestseller for a reason, these pimple patches have been expertly formulated with a breakout-fighting blend of salicylic acid to unclog the pores, succinic acid to reduce redness, and ectoin to soothe the skin and lock in hydration. Meanwhile, the 99% hydrocolloid base gets to work sucking out all the gunk – while also creating a protective seal around the pimple. Put all this together, and it's not all that surprising that they've been clinically proven to visibly reduce breakouts in just four hours.
But – as far as I'm concerned – the best thing about these pimple patches is just how truly hard to detect they are. As well as being pretty much as close to transparent as possible, the patches are ultra-thin – but that doesn't in any way take away from their effectiveness. In fact, I felt like they made a really quick and considerable difference to a particularly noticeable pimple.
Use these Sephora discount codes to save when you shop for the best pimple patches.
COSRX Acne Pimple Master Patch
- Number of patches included: 24.
- Transparent or opaque: Transparent.
- Key ingredients: Hydrocolloid and succinic acid.
Sometimes it's best to just keep it simple – and these CORSX patches do just that. Made with just hydrocolloid, these patches act as a protective cover to keep bacteria and dirt at bay, and work quickly to absorb any dirt and impurities. As a result, you're left with a pimple that's significantly reduced in size.
Best of all, each pack includes patches in three different sizes, and you can even wear them in the shower. My only gripe? They're slightly thicker than many of the other patches I tried, which makes them a little more noticeable. However, that likely means they contain a little more hydrocolloid, which is probably why they're so fast-acting.
Save when you shop for the best hydrocolloid patches with these LookFantastic discount codes.
StylPro Blue LED Blemish Patch
- Number of patches included: 20.
- Transparent or opaque: Opaque – and uses an LED device .
- Key ingredients: Hydrocolloid and salicylic acid.
When reviewing these blemish patches, there were quite a few different components to consider. For starters, the hydrocolloid patches themselves are generously sized, and have even been infused with salicylic acid for a little extra exfoliation of the pores. Then, the nifty little StylPro device features six blue and six NIR LEDs that'll help kill acne-causing bacteria, and calm any deep-rooted inflammation. With this in mind, it can be a great option for seeing off early-stage spots that might still be lurking underneath. surface of the skin. After ten minutes of LED treatment, you can remove the device – but be sure to leave the patch on for at least five hours.
I liked using these blemish patches before bed, as the patches themselves are actually quite large – so I found it best to wear them overnight. And I definitely feel like the LED therapy reduce the appearance of post-blemish marks and pigmentation. However, the device fell off my face at least 5 times, which meant that I ended up going through a quarter of the spot stickers on my first go.
Sephora Collection Quick Clear Pimple Patches
- Number of patches included: 12.
- Transparent or opaque: Mixed.
- Key ingredients: Hydrocolloid and succinic acid.
A straightforward product that's been executed in a seriously chic way, these simple Sephora pimple patches come in three different designs – clear, pink hearts, or two-tone silvery stars. So, you can easily chop and change between being discrete, and embracing a pop of personality.
Made predominantly with gunk-absorbing hydrocolloid – and then a teeny tiny bit of oil-reducing succinic acid – they make great purifying patches for simple pimples and whiteheads. I enjoyed wearing them – although I did notice a significant reduction in how adhesive they were after a few hours.
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- Number of patches included: 20.
- Transparent or opaque: Opaque.
- Key ingredients: Hydrocolloid and salicylic acid.
Suitable for all skin types, these pimple patches combine hydrocolloid with 1% salicylic acid to help shrink blemishes and can be worn day or night. Clinically proven to draw out bacteria from spots, they’re designed to visibly reduce pimples – often overnight. Available in packs of 20, 40, or 60, they also come in five fun colours.
- Number of patches included: 36.
- Transparent or opaque: Opaque.
- Key ingredients: Hydrocolloid, salicylic acid, and tea tree oil.
A step-up from the standard CORSX pimple patches, these unique oval-shaped ones have been formulated specifically to help calm the angriest of pimples. Alongside the clog-clearing duo of hydrocolloid and exfoliating salicylic acid, they've been expertly infused with tea tree oil – which is a natural antiseptic that'll target bacteria, reduce redness, and soothe inflammation.
In terms of how they feel, they're a little thicker and more cushioned than your typical pimple patch – which makes them well-suited to overnight wear. And they also won't budge if you're prone to tossing and turning throughout the night.
Use these Cult Beauty discount codes to save on the best pimple patches for sensitive skin.
- Number of patches included: 20.
- Transparent or opaque: Transparent.
- Key ingredients: Hydrocolloid and 1% salicylic acid.
Adorable shaped pimple patches are great, but sometimes you're in a rush and want to cover up a zit discreetly. And that's where this set comes in. Powered by hydrocolloid and 1% salicylic acid, this product is subtle and undetectable, allowing you to freely wear it during the day.
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo+M Patch
- Number of patches included: 22.
- Transparent or opaque: Semi-transparent.
- Key ingredients: Hydrocolloid.
Part of the brand's popular Effaclar range, these pimple patches have been formulated with hydrocolloid technology, and are backed by dermatologists as being gentle enough for reactive skin types. Best of all, they're made with seriously lightweight 420 µm hydrocolloid technology – meaning that you wont notice that you're wearing one as you go about your day.
Primarily a breathable barrier that helps to lock in moisture, these patches have been clinically proven to visibly reduce the size of spots – while also soothing redness and swelling. Plus, you can expect no unnecessary irritants or strong actives– which makes them ideal for sensitive skin.
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- Number of patches included: 32.
- Transparent or opaque: Opaque.
- Key ingredients: Hydrocolloid and salicylic acid.
Clearly, there's nothing shameful about pimples – so why not pick some bold and playful patches that you won't feel the need to disguise? Much-loved amongst teens, these bright yellow star-shaped stickers really effectively reduce redness and inflammation, while also helping to prevent any picking.
Not just nice to look at, the stickers are made from pure 100% hydrocolloid, which is clinically proven to improve the appearance of pimples overnight. And best of all, they come in this gorgeous Big Yellow compact that has a mirror for easy on-the-go application.
Purifide by Acnecide Skin Restore Pimple Patches
- Number of patches included: 23.
- Transparent or opaque: Opaque.
- Key ingredients: Hydrocolloid, salicylic acid, niacinamide, and zinc hyaluronate.
These powerful patches are a must for tackling aggressive active breakouts. They're powered by the brand's unique 4-in-1 Hydrotech™ formula, which is made up of absorbent hydrocolloid, exfoliating and refining salicylic acid, brightening niacinamide, and oil-reducing zinc hyaluronate.
Developed with dermatologists specifically for raised pimples with a white-headed tip, they're guaranteed to drain any spot at serious speed. However, they can also be a little drying, which means they likely won't be the best pick for sensitive or eczema-prone skin.
Save when you shop for the best spot treatments with these Boots promo codes.
COSRX Master Patch X-Large (10 Pack).
- Number of patches included: 10.
- Transparent or opaque: Semi-transparent.
- Key ingredients: Hydrocolloid and niacinamide.
With their larger size and contoured shape, these pimple patches are great for more substantial clusters of spots – especially on the chest or back. Complete with a tapered edge, they've been designed to blend seamlessly and discretely in with the rest of your body – and they're surprisingly undetectable.
Alongside hydrocolloid, they've been formulated with niacinamide that'll help with brightening the complexion – while also lessening your likelihood of being left with any post-blemish marks. And the adhesive is strong enough that the patches will stay firmly in place throughout the night.
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What should you look for when looking for a spot patch?
First things first – all the best pimple patches contain hydrocolloid. "A key base ingredient, hydrocolloid helps absorb fluid, flatten spots, and also protects the skin while it heals," explains Dermatological and Aesthetic Doctor, Dr Nora Jaafar.
"Other helpful ingredients to look out for include salicylic acid for unclogging the pores, niacinamide for reducing redness and inflammation, barrier-supporting centella asiatica (also known as cica), and antibacterial tea tree oil.” adds Consultant Dermatologist, Dr Aiza Jamil. "But really, hydrocolloid does most of the hard work here – and any other ingredients are beneficial additives.”
Aside from the ingredients, you'll also want to think about when you'll be wearing your patches. Thin and transparent ones are great for discrete daytime wear, whereas thicker ones will likely be more absorbent for overnight use. Plus, it's always good to look for a pack that contains stickers in a few different sizes.
What type of blemishes do spot patches work for?
Contrary to popular belief, pimple patches aren't suitable for every single type of pimple. “They work best on inflamed whiteheads or pimples that have come to the surface, as the hydrocolloid will absorb fluid and speed up healing,” Dr. Nora explains.
What about if you've already picked a pimple and you've been left with a weeping wound? Fret not, we've all been there. Adding a drop of tea tree oil to the acne spot and then covering it with a pimple patch works miracles. It stops it from scabbing over and helps prevent any acne scars. Not an excuse to keep picking, but this can help when you’re left with a bit of a situation.
But while they're a great option for surface-level pimples and inflamed red spots, hydrocolloid patches wont be all that effective on deep, cystic acne underneath the skin. “They also wont work on blackheads, because they contain no moisture – a blackhead is essentially a blocked pore that has been oxidised by the air which turns it black,” Rosa says. “So putting a pimple patch on a blackhead would be a waste of time.”
How do you use a pimple patch?
You should always apply hydrocolloid patches to clean, dry skin so they adhere properly to the spot – so try to allow at least half an hour between doing your skincare, and popping on a pimple patch. "I always find that the less residue you have on your skin, the better they adhere and stay put,” adds Dermatologist, Dr. Sonia Khorana.
As for makeup, Dr. Sonia says it's best to put the patch on first, and then apply makeup on top. Then simply make sure you wear the patch for the recommended amount of time – which is usually a minimum of six hours.
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