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Have you ever woken up to red and inflamed acne that wasn't there last night? Do you ever feel the urge to pick and pop your blemishes? Dealing with acne can be frustrating, especially when it's unexpected. If you're looking for a quick solution to help deal with these blemishes, try acne patches! A wide variety of acne patches are available on the market to cater to all types of breakouts.
We've done hours of research and collaborated with a board-certified dermatologist to bring you a buying guide and our 10 best picks of acne patches. Right on top of that list is the Acne Pimple Master Patch. This patch set includes premium-quality hydrocolloid patches in multiple sizes.
Dr. Levy is a board certified dermatologist practicing in NYC and Westport, Connecticut. She has expertise in treating inflammatory skin conditions like acne, rosacea, eczema, and psoriasis. She has an interest in skincare and takes a personalized approach to all of her patients.
mybest US' editing team consists of experienced members who have backgrounds in writing, editing, translation, and more. We are dedicated to researching what makes a product or service the best to users in the US in order to create top-quality articles. From skincare, to kitchen appliances, and to DIY supplies, our mission is to find the best ones for you.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
There are a variety of acne patches available on the market. Just like how skincare products often suit specific skin types, some acne patches are a better fit for certain types of breakouts. Understanding your skin and acne will help you choose a suitable patch!
Inflamed acne can be red, swollen, and even painful. It's the result of your pores becoming clogged with oil, dead skin cells, and foreign impurities like dirt. It's best to use medicated acne patches for inflamed acne. Medicated acne patches contain active ingredients that will clean out your pores, while nonmedicated patches simply absorb excess oil from your pores.
If you do have inflamed acne and want medicated acne patches, look for ingredients such as tea tree oil, calendula oil, and salicylic acid to help dry pimples out. Not only that, but some patches also contain hyaluronic acid and aloe vera to help soothe inflamed acne.
It is important to treat inflamed acne immediately to prevent it from developing to its full potential. If you let your acne grow, it might leave your face scarred. Look for medicated acne patches to help you prevent this problem, but don't be worried about their name: medical acne patches don't usually require a prescription!
Applying a medicated acne patch to a large or painful cyst can help take the redness and swelling down and also help relieve any pain. Additionally, the medicated acne patches can work even when the cyst is under the skin and has not come to the surface.
These patches are also great at preventing you from picking or trying to pop the acne cyst which could lead to more inflammation and scarring.
Acne that isn't painful or inflamed can be treated with non-medicated acne patches. These acne patches don't usually have many active ingredients in them; they're simply hydrocolloid bandages created to absorb oil and cover your acne spots as they heal.
Even if you're dealing with acne that's already fading, non-medicated patches can help speed up the healing process. They create a moisturizing barrier between your acne and possible outside contaminants, which means the affected area will be cleaner and healthier as it continues to heal.
Aside from hydrocolloid, some key ingredients to look for in non-medicate patches are salicylic acid and vitamin A; these reduce excess sebum and aid in unclogging pores. Aloe vera and hyaluronic acid can also soothe your skin and aid in the moisturizing process.
Non-medicated patches are great for sensitive skin or skin that easily gets irritated. They can help provide a barrier and prevent you from picking or squeezing the acne. Additionally, the act of gently removing the patch can help clean out the pores and help clear up whiteheads and blackheads.
Cystic acne is characterized by acne that progresses to itchy or painful pustules on your skin. It occurs deeper beneath the skin than regular acne, which also means it can last longer. Extreme cases of cystic acne have been known to last years. The condition is caused by hormonal changes, meaning teenagers and adults going through hormonal imbalances are most at risk.
Look for acne patches with microneedles. Don't be alarmed by the word "needle" in this case; applying these patches to your acne will be pain-free. The microneedles create tiny punctures in the affected skin, allowing the acne patch's medicine to penetrate deeper and do its job better.
The needles in these microneedle patches will eventually break down. Until they do, however, the microneedles deliver beneficial ingredients directly to the acne's root, where it's needed the most. The best ingredients for treating cystic acne are niacinamide, green tea, and vitamin E; these reduce redness and soothe your skin.
These patches are best used as soon as the acne lesion forms since the thinner the acne cyst, the better the small needles will penetrate. These small needles serve two purposes: one is to help get any medication on the patch into the cyst better and the other is to provide mechanical micropressure to the cyst to help resolve it. All skin types can use these microneedling patches.
There are various acne patches available on the market; choose one that will fit your needs and preferences!
Some people want their pimple patches to be unnoticeable, and others want their pimple patches to be undeniably cute. If you don't want your patch to be noticeable, go for transparent acne patches that have a matte finish. The matte finish makes it easier for your patch to go unnoticed, especially if you want to add your daily makeup on top.
If you don't want to wear a patch out of the house, don't worry - just wearing the patch overnight or for a few hours while home can provide some benefit and may help shrink your zit. These patches also are great for preventing you from picking or messing with your pimple - a known way to cause a bigger problem and a possible scar.
If the size doesn't matter much to you, you can pick a patch that only comes in one size. But, many acne patches offer various sizes in one pack. As we all know, pimples come in different shapes and sizes. With these acne patches, you can use the appropriate size to help target your acne.
Acne patches typically come in sizes Small, Medium, and Large. Small acne patches are around eight millimeters, while medium patches are usually between 10 and 12 millimeters. Large patches are around 14 millimeters. Acne patches made for body breakouts are also available. These can measure up to two inches.
If you prefer acne patches that you can use during the daytime without attracting too much attention, go for thinner products. There are thicker patches that can be a little more noticeable during the day, but these kinds are ideal for treating acne overnight. They're usually made to be ultra-hydrating or are infused with active ingredients.
Use the smallest-sized patch that still covers the entire pimple. Also, a thicker patch is better for deep lesions. For whiteheads and blackheads, using a thinner patch should be sufficient.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Price | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | COSRX Acne Pimple Master and Clear Fit Master Patch|3 pack | $13.15 Mid | Best for Original Design and a Variety of Sizes | ||
2 | Avarelle Acne Cover Patch | $8.49 Low | Best at Medically Treating Your Acne While Supporting a Cause | ||
3 | Hero Cosmetics Mighty Patch Original | $12.99 Mid | Best Overnight Acne Patches for Whiteheads | ||
4 | Rael Miracle Patch Invisible Spot Cover | Best Large Pack of Ultra-Thin Hydrocolloid Patches | |||
5 | Hero Cosmetics Mighty Patch Micropoint for Blemishes | $12.99 Mid | Best at Providing Wide Coverage for Blind Zits | ||
6 | COSRX Master Patch Intensive | $12.00 Mid | Best Oval-Shaped Medicated Acne Patches | ||
7 | Rael Acne Healing Patch | $11.99 Mid | Best at Treating Cystic and Hormonal Acne | ||
8 | Avarelle Acne Cover Patch XL | $8.49 Low | Best at Treating Large Breakouts | ||
9 | Zit Sticka Hydrocolloid Patches | $19.00 High | Best Biodegradable Acne Patch for Whiteheads and Late-Stage Surface Zits | ||
10 | Hero Cosmetics Mighty Patch Micropoint for Dark Spots | $12.99 Mid | Best at Brightening Dark Spots and Scars Created by Acne |
Pros:
Cons:
COSRX's Acne Pimple Master Patch bundle contains hydrocolloid patches that clean your pores and help your acne heal faster. The Master Patch dots come in three different sizes to meet your needs and are a clear matte. They can sit comfortably under makeup as they do their job.
Because these aren't medicated patches, they'll only work on non-inflamed acne. Despite this, it's been commonly confirmed that these patches clear out acne and gunk while concealing spots. Many users suggest using the Pimple Master overnight to clean out whiteheads and non-painful breakouts.
Pros:
Cons:
Avarelle's acne patches contain tea tree oil and calendula oil to target active and inflamed acne. These ingredients help speed up the healing process of stubborn acne. Each patch is ultra-thin and clear. Avarelle also uses their standing to employ raise awareness for people with disabilities, so you're putting your money to a good cause if you choose this product.
It's been reported that these patches are more effective on inflamed and painful acne than they are for treating whiteheads and blackheads. On the bright side, many who use Avarelle's patches find them to be effective and helpful in dealing with painful acne.
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Hero Cosmetics' trail-blazing acne patch extracts pus and fluids from pimples to speed up the healing process. Mighty Patch is certified vegan and cruelty-free, and it's been formulated to cleanse dirt and dead cells from your whiteheads throughout the night.
It's been noted that this product only seems to work on acne or pimples that have come to a head. On the bright side, most said that the product worked as advertised. It fought off acne, and it adhered well to their skin. It's translucent and matte, with a substantial enough cushion to protect your affected skin while you sleep.
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The Miracle Patch Invisible Spot Cover box offers 96 super-thin hydrocolloid acne patches. Rael's acne patches are latex-free and vegan. While they aren't as matte as other brands, their tapered edges and sheerness help them blend well beneath makeup.
It's important to remember that as non-medicated hydrocolloid patches, these products won't be as useful against deeper, cystic acne or blind zits. However, they've garnered a lot of praise for how effectively they stick to user's blemishes and for their soothing, zit-clearing properties.
Pros:
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The Mighty Patch Micropoint features almost 200 microneedles that will bear anti-acne ingredients straight to the root of a new or blind zit. Each patch covers a generous 18 millimeters and has tapered edges for a sturdier, more comfortable fit.
A few users have noted that despite the microneedles, these patches don't thoroughly erase deeper, cystic acne. Still, many people who suffer from hormonal and cystic acne have noted that the patches still relieve a lot of their pain, redness, and swelling. These patches are also known for their quality adhesive strength.
Pros:
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COSRX's oval-shaped medicated patches are tapered around the edges for a seamless fit. They use a combination of exfoliating salicylic acid and soothing tea tree oil to gently reduce acne and blemishes. These acne patches are a good choice if you've got a breakout in an awkward location, such as along your jaw, or if you just want to switch up the shape of your acne dots.
A few people who used these acne patches found them to be drying, but for the most part, the Master Patch Intensive acne patches are praised for blending seamlessly with the skin due to their shape and tapered edges. Many have added that the tea tree oil has also helped ease painful breakouts as well.
Pros:
Cons:
Rael's patches use microneedles to deliver anti-anti-inflammatory ingredients deep into your skin, making them an excellent choice for cystic or inflamed acne. Tea tree oil and willow bark extract in particular help cleanse your pores more thoroughly and reduce irritation in the affected area.
A few users have warned that these patches don't stick as well to their skin as others have. However, most who used these patches said that they worked well and were effective on red, cystic acne spots. They also shared that although Rael's patches aren't ultra-thin, they're still sheer enough to avoid attracting too much attention.
Pros:
Cons:
Avarelle's two-inch patches are available in packs of eight and 16 patches. They're fully transparent, which makes them inclusive for all skin tones. These medicated acne patches are excellent at tackling large breakouts or blemishes located on other parts of your body.
It's been noted that the tea tree oil formulation can be irritating for sensitive skin types. Still, Avarelle's extra-large acne patches are popular among those with larger breakouts who go through regularly-sized patches too quickly. They're also praised for being incredibly sticky and not falling off during nightly applications.
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Zit Sticka's Goo Getter has been formulated to target whiteheads and surface-level zits that have lingered for a while. The soothing ingredients also make them a great choice for inflamed acne. These clever patches are also biodegradable and waterproof!
A few users have found that the hydrocolloid in these patches doesn't suction out pus as well as other brands. Still, Zit Sticka's whitehead acne patches are known to be incredibly effective at reducing redness and tenderness in breakouts and helping the affected area heal quicker.
Pros:
Cons:
For those worried about dark blemishes or acne scarring, the Mighty Patch Micropoint for Dark Spots is a great option. These powerful patches deliver skin-brightening and rejuvenating ingredients like vitamin C deep into the dermis. Each dot has hundreds of microneedles and covers 18 millimeters of skin. Tapered edges ensure a snug, comfortable fit.
Some say that these patches may sometimes require persistent use over longer periods of time. Users have recommended using these patches as a follow-up treatment after another blemish-lightening method such as peeling. Still, plenty of users have been happy with how confident they feel with their spots and scars lightened, thanks to these acne patches.
Some acne patches come in different colors and shapes, such as stars, flowers, hearts, or other unique designs. Using adorable acne patches is one way to make the experience a bit more fun. They're cute and Instagram-worthy! Many influencers and celebrities have even used these types of acne patches to speak up for acne positivity.
If you want to try a pop of color with your acne patch experience, we suggest the brand Starface. They formulate their yellow, star-shaped acne patches with top-quality hydrocolloid and offer reusable yellow boxes as part of the package. You even get a mirror in these boxes to admire your acne patches!
Dr. Levy says, "If you have a history of being latex- or adhesive-sensitive, take caution with acne patches since some do have latex and the adhesives can trigger a dermatitis reaction.
If you do wear the patch out of the house, to the pool, or to the beach, make sure you protect yourself from the sun with sunscreen. Getting a sunburn or tan while wearing an acne patch will create a funny shape around the patch."
If you get a lot of breakouts, you know how hard and frustrating they can be. If you're trying to look for the best skincare for your acne-prone skin, check out these other products!
If you want more ideas on the types of acne patches that are out there, Amazon has quite a few acne-clearing options ranging from blackhead strips to acne patches.
No. 1: COSRX|Acne Pimple Master and Clear Fit Master Patch|3 pack
No. 2: Avarelle|Acne Cover Patch
No. 3: Hero Cosmetics|Mighty Patch Original
No. 4: Rael|Miracle Patch Invisible Spot Cover
No. 5: Hero Cosmetics|Mighty Patch Micropoint for Blemishes
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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