How do acne patches work?

"Most acne patches work by providing a moist occluded environment so that the acne lesion can heal underneath," says Dr. Maguiness. They typically contain hydrocolloid, which, as Dr. Wolinsky explains, absorbs the inflammatory fluid, flattens the bump, and speeds up healing. "The added bonus is that they keep fingers off and prevent picking," notes Dr. Maguiness.

How do you apply acne patches?

Starting with freshly washed hands and clean, dry skin, carefully peel the patch off the sheet. Then gently stick it on the pimple in question, aligning the center of the patch with the center of the pimple. Leave it on for 12 to 24 hours or until it turns opaque.

How often should you use acne patches?

Generally speaking, you can use acne patches as often as needed. Since they target only a very small portion of your skin, you shouldn't have to worry about irritating the rest of your face or neck. In some cases, you might need to use two or three consecutive patches to get rid of a particularly stubborn pimple.

The 12 Best Acne Patches of 2023

There's no shortage of over-the-counter products for clearing breakouts. But when you only have one or two zits at any given time, there's no need to treat your entire face. Enter: the pimple patch, a targeted way to zap acne without exposing the rest of your skin to undue drying or irritation. According to board-certified dermatologist Sheilagh Maguiness, MD, acne patches typically contain hydrocolloid gel, which is often used in wound care. In addition to healing blemishes, Dr. Maguiness notes, "The hydrocolloid in the acne sticker can help absorb sebum and dirt."

Byrdie Researched & Approved

Our best overall pick is Peace Out Salicylic Acid Acne Healing Dots, which create a barrier between pimples and bacteria while delivering a time-released infusion of ingredients. For a more affordable pick, consider the drugstore favorite Clearasil Ultra Overnight Spot Patches, which are non-drying and work overnight to banish pimples.

Claire Wolinsky, MD, a New York dermatologist specializing in facial rejuvenation, says she loves pimple patches and recommends them frequently. "One reason they are particularly helpful in treating acne is because once covered, patients can't pick or squeeze their pimple, which reduces the risk of infection and bacteria," she Byrdie. And with less trauma to the skin, Dr. Wolinsky says you're less likely to experience scarring or discoloration.

We conducted hours of research on the best acne patches, evaluating each on active ingredients to target acne as well as ingredients to soothe skin and prevent redness. We also looked at things like how easy they are to apply and stay on. After considering dozens of brands and consulting with two celebrity dermatologists, we landed on the following best in show.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Peace Out Acne Dots at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best Budget:

Soko Glam The Klog at Sokoglam.com

Jump to Review

Best Drugstore:

Clearasil Ultra Overnight Spot Patches at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best Splurge:

Peter Thomas Roth Acne-Clear Invisible Dots

Jump to Review

Best K-Beauty:

COSRX Acne Pimple Master Patch at Ulta

Jump to Review

Best for Deep Pimples:

ZitSticka Killa Kit at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best for Scarring:

Hero Cosmetics Mighty Patch The Original

Jump to Review

Best Multi-Ingredient:

Avarelle Acne Cover Patch Original at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best With Salicylic Acid:

Dime Beauty Co. Power Patch at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best With Tea Tree Oil:

Lua Lua Healing Acne Patches at Amazon

Jump to Review

In This Article

Our Picks
Final Verdict
What to Look For
FAQ
Why Trust Byrdie

4.7

View On Amazon View On Sephora View On Peaceoutskincare.com

What We Like

Reduces redness
Soothes inflammation
Contains skin-clearing ingredients

What We Don't Like

Only one size

Who else recommends it? Teen Vogue, NBC News, and Forbes all picked Peace Out Acne Healing Dots.

What do buyers say? 86% of 100+ Amazon reviewers rated this product 4 stars or above.

Celebrity aesthetician Joshua Ross of SkinLab stands behind Peace Out Acne Healing Dots. "They employ hydrocolloid technology that helps extract impurities and guards against external elements," he explains. What's more, the patches create a barrier between pimples and your bacteria-laden fingers while delivering a time-released infusion of ingredients.

Cosmetic injector Kristina Kitsos is also a fan of Peace Out. "They contain salicylic acid, which penetrates pores to target acne blemishes and blackheads," she tells Byrdie. Additionally, Kitsos appreciates that these acne patches contain soothing aloe vera to minimize redness and skin-clearing standby vitamin A (aka retinol).

Price at time of publish: $47

Active Ingredients: Hydrocolloid, salicylic acid, aloe, retinol | Amount: 10 to 40 patches | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No

What Our Experts Say

"Many people put alcohol and other drying agents on the top of the skin, thinking that it will penetrate and clear up the acne. This approach is futile because doing so just dries out the top layer of the skin, making it even more fragile while the pimple lingers beneath unscathed. Healthy, hydrated skin heals acne much better than dried-out, fragile skin. The hydration provided by these patches helps to prevent this." — Kristina Kitsos, Skincare Authority and Expert Cosmetic Injector

Soko Glam

View On Sokoglam.com

What We Like

Budget-friendly
Long-lasting adhesive
Includes two sizes

What We Don't Like

Thinner patch than other options

While most pimple patches aren't very pricey, The Klog's Soft Shield is one of the budget-friendliest of the bunch. Containing vegan hydrocolloid, the protective yet breathable barrier draws out impurities and helps your zits heal as quickly as possible.

Price at time of publish: $6

Active Ingredients: Hydrocolloid | Amount: 42 patches | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No

Amazon

View On Amazon View On Walmart View On CVS

What We Like

Budget-friendly
Works overnight
Non-drying

What We Don't Like

Only one size

A few drugstore brands have hopped on the pimple-patch bandwagon, but the best iteration comes from acne-fighting all-star Clearasil. Stick on the Spot Patches before bed, get your beauty sleep, and wake up to noticeable improvement in the size and redness of your blemishes.

Price at time of publish: $12

Active Ingredients: Hydrocolloid | Amount: 18 patches | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No

Peter Thomas Roth Acne-Clear Invisible Dots

View on Ulta View On Amazon View On Sephora

What We Like

Contains skin-clearing ingredients
Includes two sizes
Comes with tin container

What We Don't Like

Pricier than other options
Doesn't contain hydrocolloid

Peter Thomas Roth's take on the acne patch is the super-moisturizing Invisible Dots. In addition to skin-clearing mainstays salicylic acid and tea tree oil, they call on hyaluronic acid to deliver much-needed moisture to the bumps that lie beneath.

Price at time of publish: $32

Active Ingredients: Salicylic acid, tea tree oil, hyaluronic acid | Amount: 32 patches | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No

4.8

Amazon

View On Ulta View On Walmart

What We Like

Budget-friendly
Includes three sizes
Dermatologist-recommended

What We Don't Like

Doesn't stay put on oily skin

I Reviewed The Cosrx Acne Pimple Master Patch And Saw Visible Overnight Results

Dr. Wolinsky is a fan of CosRx Master Patches, and we're here for it. Serving up a heaping dose of hydrocolloid underneath each hygienic sticker, you can target even the most stubborn bumps with little effort. We also like that these Korean patches come in three different sizes.

Price at time of publish: $6

Active Ingredients: Hydrocolloid | Amount: 32 to 96 patches | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No

cosrx acne pimple master patch — Byrdie / Bianca Lambert

What Our Testers Say

"Even with my serums applied, the patch stuck to my skin and didn't budge overnight." — Bianca Lambert, Product Tester

Amazon

View On Amazon View On Verishop.com

What We Like

Works for deep pimples
Comes with cleansing swabs
Contains skin-clearing ingredients

What We Don't Like

Pricier than other options

There's not much you can do about a deep pimple brewing underneath your skin—outside of placing a ZitSticka on it. The self-dissolving microdarts get to the root of the problem and prevent bumps from getting any bigger.

Price at time of publish: $29

Active Ingredients: Hydrocolloid, salicylic acid, hyaluronic acid | Amount: 4 to 8 patches | Cruelty-Free: 8 patches | Byrdie Clean: No

Amazon

View on Ulta View On Amazon View On Bed Bath & Beyond

What We Like

Helps prevent scarring
Not bubbly
Includes day and night patches

What We Don't Like

Not ideal for cystic acne

When it comes to pimple patches, Dr. Maguiness and Dr. Wolinsky agree on the Mighty Patch. A home run for all skin types, this pack of acne patches includes a flat, invisible option for daytime and a more conspicuous overnight sticker, each containing hydrocolloid to expedite healing and prevent scarring.

Price at time of publish: $13

Active Ingredients: Hydrocolloid | Amount: 36 patches | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No

Amazon

View On Amazon View On Walmart View On CVS

What We Like

Budget-friendly
Works for deep pimples
Dermatologist-recommended

What We Don't Like

Not ideal for sensitive skin

Dr. Wolinsky also likes Avarelle. Along with hydrocolloid, the brand's all but invisible Acne Cover Patch is chock full of plant-based healing ingredients and skin-clearing favorites like tea tree oil, centella asiatica (aka cica), and calendula.

Price at time of publish: $9

Active Ingredients: Hydrocolloid, tea tree oil, calendula, centella asiatica | Amount: 40 patches | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No

Dime Beauty Co.

View On Amazon View On Dimebeautyco.com

What We Like

Includes two sizes
Contains skin-clearing ingredients

What We Don't Like

Not ideal for deep pimples

You definitely want BHA hero salicylic acid on your side in the battle against acne. But the Dime Power Patch doesn't stop there. It also contains hydrocolloid, retinol, and naturally antibacterial clove essential oil to take on blemishes at full force.

Price at time of publish: $18

Active Ingredients: Hydrocolloid, salicylic acid, retinol, clove oil | Amount: 48 patches | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No

Amazon

View On Amazon

What We Like

Budget-friendly
Includes three sizes
Waterproof

What We Don't Like

Doesn't stay put on oily skin

For tea tree oil stans, we recommend Lua Lua. These breathable, budget-friendly acne patches are designed to clear breakouts, heal zits, and prevent new ones from forming. We also like that they're waterproof and work well under makeup.

Price at time of publish: $8

Active Ingredients: Hydrocolloid, tea tree oil, calendula oil | Amount: 120 patches | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No

Miss Spa Banish Microneedle Spot Treatment

Ulta

View On Ulta

What We Like

Budget-friendly
Includes three sizes
Waterproof

What We Don't Like

Doesn't contain hydrocolloid

Instead of poking at a pimple, cover it with Miss Spa's Banish Treatment. Each patch has microneedles, which gently penetrate bumps with complexion-clearing salicylic acid and everyone's favorite hydrating humectant, hyaluronic acid.

Price at time of publish: $8

Active Ingredients: Salicylic acid, hyaluronic acid | Amount: 6 patches | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No

Starface

View On Amazon View On Starface.world

What We Like

Star-shaped patches
Acne-positive
Comes with case

What We Don't Like

Doesn't stay put on oily skin

Wear them loud, wear them proud. Why hide your blemishes when you can heal them with these super-cute pimple protectors? In addition to reframing the narrative surrounding acne, Starface Hydro-Stars help absorb fluids while protecting bumps from bacteria.

Price at time of publish: $15

Active Ingredients: Hydrocolloid | Amount: 32 patches | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No

Final Verdict

The best pimple patches overall are Peace Out Acne Healing Dots. They contain hydrocolloid, and also a blend of soothing and clearing ingredients like retinol, salicylic acid, and aloe. For a more affordable option, consider The Klog Soft Shield Pimple Patch, a breathable yet protective solution that draws out impurities and speeds up healing.

Meet the Expert

Board-certified dermatologist Sheilagh Maguiness, MD, has been a part of the Minnesota Dermatological Society since 2014. She currently teaches at the University of Minnesota.
Claire Wolinsky, MD, is a New York dermatologist specializing in facial rejuvenation. Dr. Wolinsky is known to be able to treat even the most difficult cases of acne.

What to Look for When Buying Acne Patches

Hydrocolloid

"The most important thing is that the stickers or patches are made of hydrocolloid," Dr. Wolinsky tells Byrdie, which is "something dermatologists have used for wound care for a long time." The healing ingredient seals the skin underneath the patch while absorbing fluid, flattening bumps, and minimizing inflammation.

Active Ingredients

Most acne patches utilize hydrocolloid, which can be very effective on its own. However, you'll also find options containing a range of other acne-fighting ingredients.

As Dr. Wolinsky notes, "Some of these patches have salicylic acid, which may help further treat a nasty breakout." Additionally, you might see soothing aloe vera extract, resurfacing retinol, complexion-clearing tea tree oil, or hydrating hyaluronic acid on the ingredients list.

Size

Since pimples come in all shapes and sizes, it's nice to have a couple of different acne patches to work with. While many brands offer only one size, some packs include two or even three sizes to cover large and small zits accordingly. You'll also find extra-large patches, which are meant to cover multi-bump breakouts.

FAQ

How do acne patches work?

"Most acne patches work by providing a moist occluded environment so that the acne lesion can heal underneath," says Dr. Maguiness. They typically contain hydrocolloid, which, as Dr. Wolinsky explains, absorbs the inflammatory fluid, flattens the bump, and speeds up healing. "The added bonus is that they keep fingers off and prevent picking," notes Dr. Maguiness.
How do you apply acne patches?

Starting with freshly washed hands and clean, dry skin, carefully peel the patch off the sheet. Then gently stick it on the pimple in question, aligning the center of the patch with the center of the pimple. Leave it on for 12 to 24 hours or until it turns opaque.
How often should you use acne patches?

Generally speaking, you can use acne patches as often as needed. Since they target only a very small portion of your skin, you shouldn't have to worry about irritating the rest of your face or neck. In some cases, you might need to use two or three consecutive patches to get rid of a particularly stubborn pimple.

Why Trust Byrdie

Theresa Holland is a skincare devotee and commerce writer specializing in beauty, lifestyle, and wellness. For this article, she interviewed two dermatologists, an esthetician, and a cosmetic injector for product picks and insight into how acne patches work. From the above brands, she has personally tried Peace Out, The Klog, CosRx, and Rael. Theresa covers skincare, makeup, and haircare at Byrdie.

According to our Diversity Pledge, 15% of products in our newly-published market roundups will feature Black-owned and/or Black-founded brands. At the time of publishing, we were not able to find any acne patches from a Black-owned and/or Black-founded business. If you know of one we should consider, please email us at contact@byrdie.com and we will evaluate the product ASAP.

The 20 Best Acne Creams of 2023

Article Sources

Byrdie takes every opportunity to use high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.

Pott, Franciele Soares et al. The effectiveness of hydrocolloid dressings versus other dressings in the healing of pressure ulcers in adults and older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Revista latino-americana de enfermagem vol. 22,3 (2014): 511-20. doi:10.1590/0104-1169.3480.2445
13 Best Pimple Patches to Treat Stubborn Acne Overnight. Teen Vogue. https://www.teenvogue.com/story/best-pimple-patches
7 best pimple patches: Acne patches shared by experts. NBC News. https://www.nbcnews.com/select/shopping/best-pimple-patches-ncna1254463
The Best Acne Patches To Treat Pimples Overnight. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/nomanazish/2021/07/28/the-best-acne-patches-to-treat-pimples-overnight/
Pott, Franciele Soares et al. The effectiveness of hydrocolloid dressings versus other dressings in the healing of pressure ulcers in adults and older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Revista latino-americana de enfermagem vol. 22,3 (2014): 511-20. doi:10.1590/0104-1169.3480.2445
Woodruff, A, et al. A double-blind, placebo-controlled evaluation of a 2% salicylic acid cleanser for improvement of acne vulgaris. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.
Mukherjee, S., Retinoids in the treatment of skin aging: an overview of clinical efficacy and safety. Clin Interv Aging. December 2006; 1(4): 327–348. doi:10.2147/ciia.2006.1.4.327
Woodruff, A, et al. A double-blind, placebo-controlled evaluation of a 2% salicylic acid cleanser for improvement of acne vulgaris. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.
Carson, C F et al. Melaleuca alternifolia (Tea Tree) oil: a review of antimicrobial and other medicinal properties. Clinical microbiology reviews vol. 19,1 (2006): 50-62. doi:10.1128/CMR.19.1.50-62.2006
Salwowska NM, Bebenek KA, Żądło DA, Wcisło-Dziadecka DL. Physiochemical properties and application of hyaluronic acid: a systematic review. J Cosmet Dermatol.
Pott, Franciele Soares et al. The effectiveness of hydrocolloid dressings versus other dressings in the healing of pressure ulcers in adults and older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Revista latino-americana de enfermagem vol. 22,3 (2014): 511-20. doi:10.1590/0104-1169.3480.2445
Kongkaew C, Meesomperm P, Scholfield CN, Chaiwiang N, Waranuch N. Efficacy and Safety of Centella Asiatica (L.) Urb. on Wrinkles: A Systematic Review of Published Data and Network Meta-Analysis. J Cosmet Sci. 2020 Nov-Dec;71(6):439-454. PMID: 33413787.
Nasri, Hamid et al. Medicinal Plants for the Treatment of Acne Vulgaris: A Review of Recent Evidences. Jundishapur journal of microbiology vol. 8,11 e25580. doi:10.5812/jjm.25580
Fu Y, Chen L, Zu Y, et al. The Antibacterial Activity of Clove Essential Oil Against Propionibacterium acnes and Its Mechanism of Action. Arch Dermatol. 2009;145(1):86–88. doi:10.1001/archdermatol.2008.549
Salwowska NM, Bebenek KA, Żądło DA, Wcisło-Dziadecka DL. Physiochemical properties and application of hyaluronic acid: a systematic review. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2016 Dec;15(4):520-526. doi: 10.1111/jocd.12237. PMID: 27324942.
Radha MH, et al. Evaluation of biological properties and clinical effectiveness of Aloe vera: A systematic review. Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine.
Carson, C F et al. Melaleuca alternifolia (Tea Tree) oil: a review of antimicrobial and other medicinal properties. Clinical microbiology reviews vol. 19,1 (2006): 50-62. doi:10.1128/CMR.19.1.50-62.2006

Best Overall

Peace Out Salicylic Acid Acne Healing Dots

Best Budget

Soko Glam The Klog Soft Shield Pimple Patch

Best Drugstore

Clearasil Ultra Overnight Spot Patches

Best Splurge

Peter Thomas Roth Acne-Clear Invisible Dots

Best K-Beauty

COSRX Acne Pimple Master Patch

Best for Deep Pimples

ZitSticka Killa Kit

Best for Scarring

Hero Cosmetics Mighty Patch The Original

Best Multi-Ingredient

Avarelle Acne Cover Patch Original

Best With Salicylic Acid

Dime Beauty Co. Power Patch

Best With Tea Tree Oil

Lua Lua Healing Acne Patches

Best With Microneedles

Miss Spa Banish Microneedle Spot Treatment

Best Conspicuous

Starface Hydro-Stars

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