Pimple Patches for Acne-Prone Skin

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DISCLAIMER: I am not a dermatologist or a medical professional. All the information in this blog post is things I have learned and researched over my lifetime. If there is any misleading or inaccurate information in this blog post please email [email protected] I have provided the best information possible to the best of my ability. I will keep this blog post up to date with the latest information.

Pimple Patches

Pimple patches or as I like to call them pimple stickers! Pimple patches are used to patch over pimples that you get from acne. These are initially from Korean skincare but are now available in Western skincare too. The most popular ones are for whiteheads. They’re like hydrocolloid bandages but smaller so they fit right over the pimple. Most pimple patches will use the same hydrocolloid ingredient with other stuff added. I came across pimple patches for the first time in college and they have been a complete game-changer for my skincare. Middle-school me would have loved this product! They’re great for healing my pimples and stopping me from touching or scratching.

In this blog post, I will explain everything you need to know about pimple patches and which ones I recommend for you!

Do Hydrocolloid patches work on blind pimples?

A blind pimple is basically a pimple under the skin that you can’t really see but can feel and it tends to be painful. Some people do use hydrocolloid patches on these but I recommend using a pimple patch with micropoints like the Hero Cosmetics Micropoint for Blemishes. I have easily bought over 10 of these because I run out so quickly! But these are a great product to use for blind pimples and then I recommend following up with any hydrocolloid patch. You can check out more ways to fix blind pimples here.

How long does it take for a pimple patch to work?

There is no perfect answer to this question because it all depends on the state of your pimple. It’s often recommended to wear a patch overnight or for 6-8 hours and then remove the patch. After one patch you should be good but some pimples may require another patch and then you would repeat this process again. Personally, I found that most pimples only need one patch but there’s always the occasional exception that would need more. Worst case scenario it would take 2-3 days. IDo Pimple Patches Really Work?

YES!!! Pimple patches have never let me down you just need to make sure you are using them right and use additional skincare for best results. Whitehead = hydrocolloid patch and Blind pimple = micropoints patch. And it’s so satisfying to take it off and see the results. Here are some of my before and afters with different patches.

How to Use a Pimple Patch?

Make sure you wash your hands and your face! After doing so take out a pimple patch and apply it directly to the blemish. You can use your fingers to apply it or use a tweezer. I normally use my hands but if you’re using a tweezer make sure it’s a clean tweezer. Then after applying continue with the rest of your skincare. I recommend applying the pimple patch before moisturizing so the patch can stick better. However, if you have dry skin you should probably apply moisturizer and then use a pimple patch. Otherwise, it might be a bit painful to take off if your skin is dry. Make sure you press down on it a little after you apply it to prevent it from falling off. Also, make sure you get it on the right spot in the first place as transferring them can be tricky. Wait 6-8 hours or leave it on overnight. Then take it off and throw out the pimple patch, don’t reuse it! There’s probably a lot of bacteria on it so please throw it out. As mentioned earlier I always recommend following up with Hero Cosmetics’s Rescue Balm after you take off the patch.

Applying a pimple patch is the same process whether you’re using a hydrocolloid patch or micropoints. However, you don’t need rescue balm for the micropoints. You may need a hydrocolloid patch afterward if a whitehead forms.

Do Pimple Patches leave scars?

The patches themselves will not leave scars but the pimple might. You might see a little circular mark from having the patch on but this usually goes away pretty quickly. That being said your pimple itself can leave a mark or a scar behind. This has nothing to do with the patch. I always recommend following up with the Hero Cosmetics Rescue Balm after you take off the patch. This helps soothe the skin afterward and heal better. If you have dark spots then you can use the Hero Cosmetics Lightning Wand.

COSRX Acne Pimple Patches

These are some great pimple patches from a Korean brand called COSRX. I have gone through so many of these and they come in a resealable pouch which is super helpful. You can buy these in packs of 4 on Amazon, which is so spectacular! You won’t run out easily and spend less than a quarter on each pimple patch.

Hero Cosmetics Pimple Patches

The first pimple patch I ever tried out was from Hero Cosmetics. I saw their pimple patches at Target one day and that’s how I first tried them out and became obsessed. As mentioned earlier I did purchase a ton of COSRX pimple patches because they were low-priced. However, I switched back to Hero Cosmetics pimple patches because these are FSA-eligible. This means if you have a pre-tax spending account like an FSA account or HSA account you can purchase eligible medical products. These patches count as eligible through certain retailers. I have also found these patches more readily available at retailers than COSRX patches. They are FSA/HSA eligible at Target. So if you have an FSA/HSA account or don’t like shopping on Amazon then I recommend Mighty PatchThat being said if you’re shopping on Amazon and you don’t use an FSA/HSA card I would pick COSRX since it’s cheaper.

Peace Out Skincare Pimple Patches

These pimple patches from Peace Out are the reason I knew pimple patches existed. As explained earlier, I grabbed the Hero Cosmetics patches from Target to try pimple patches for the first time. However, my plan for that day was actually to go to Sephora and buy these patches. I ended up trying Hero Cosmetics pimple patches first because they were cheaper and I ended up making a trip to Target. I got samples of these through Peace Out Skincare so I got to try them out. They are very similar to COSRX and Hero Cosmetics but the main difference is they have additional skincare ingredients like salicylic acid, retinol, and aloe vera. Those additional ingredients can help heal your skin better.

Cute Pimple Patches from Starface

If you are looking for some fun or cute pimple patches I definitely recommend checking out the brand Starface. They make fun star-shaped pimple patches in a bright yellow color. These work just like the other patches they’re just different in their shape and color. Starface is focused on acne positivity which is why they have a more fun approach to their pimple patches.

When to use Pimple Patches?

If you have a whitehead on your face then this is when you need a pimple patch that is a hydrocolloid patch. If it’s under the skin and it’s painful then it might be a blind pimple and you should use a patch with micropoints. If it’s neither of these then pimple patches will most likely not work for you.

Where to buy pimple patches?

These are available at so many stores now and they’re sold by many brands. You can find them on Amazon, Target, Sephora, Ulta, Walmart, CVS, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, and more! If you’re looking for in-person options I have seen them at Target, Sephora, and Ulta. Check online to see what’s available in your local store.