The 5 Best Pimple Patches

Nobody likes to wake up with a big ol' zit. But, sometimes, no matter how careful you are about washing your face before bed and living a healthy lifestyle, acne happens. Nobody's skin is perfect, after all. When you do end up with an unsightly pimple on your face, though, it's important to have all the right tools in your medicine cabinet for helping it go away as fast as possible. In addition to having a good cleanser and acne medication (anything with benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid) on hand, pimple patches are a crucial skincare product to keep in your anti-acne arsenal. Pimple patches work by absorbing fluid from the pimple and protecting the wound from getting irritated or infected, which helps to speed up the healing process. If you suffer from hormonal or chronic acne, these patches can be a life-saver. Wake up with clearer skin when you try any one of the pimple patches on this list.

Cosrx Pimple Master Patch

The pimple patch to end all pimple patches

The Cosrx Pimple Master Patch gets rid of acne like no other patch out there.

Best Overall

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Everyone’s using the Cosrx Pimple Master Patches nowadays, and there’s good reason for that: These patches are simply the best at banishing even the biggest, reddest pimples, in a relatively quick amount of time. All you have to do is pop on a patch before you hit the sack, and while you’re sleeping, the skin around your pimple will flatten out and become less inflamed. Results are oh-so-satisfying with the Cosrx Pimple Patch, since it actually absorbs fluid from your pimple and takes the redness out of your skin. Best of all, these hydrocolloid circles stick to your skin like glue, so you don’t have to worry about your patch falling off in the middle of the night. Despite their extreme stickiness, though, they still peel off easily. All in all, it doesn’t get much more effective or easy to use than the Cosrx Pimple Master Patches.

Pros:

Results are noticeable and quick.
Absorbs fluid and takes away redness overnight.
Clings to your skin but is also super-easy to remove.
Awesome value.

Cons:

You have to be careful that your face is as clean and dry as possible before using.

Rael Acne Healing Patch

Banish even the deepest zits

Cystic acne is no fun, but these Rael pimple patches can help.

Best for Cystic Acne

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Crafted with high-grade hydrocolloid and super-strong adhesive, the Rael Acne Healing Patches are pure magic, and they work especially well on cystic acne. If you’ve been struggling with a zit that won’t go away, you’ll undoubtedly love the results you get from this patch, since it’s even effective on pimples that haven’t surfaced yet. The Rael Healing patch works by absorbing the pus and oil from your pimple while protecting the area, which helps to prevent infection and makes the healing process go by way faster, even for deep-set pimples. They’re also super-thin and stick well, so they won’t come off when you wear them.

Pros:

Great for cystic acne or stubborn pimples that refuse to go away.
Helps to prevent infection and scarring.
Thin in texture and super-sticky.

Cons:

A little pricey.

Avarelle Acne Absorbing Cover Patch

An essential oil-based formula that actually works

For a sweet-smelling, soothing formula, look to the Avarelle Acne Patches.

Best Essential Oil Formula

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Bring down blemishes quickly with the Avarelle Acne Absorbing Cover Patches, which contain gentle, all-natural ingredients like hydrocolloid dressing with hints of calendula oil and tea tree oil. Which means: Not only are these patches your ticket to clearer, happier, more radiant skin, but they also smell nice and are naturally soothing. Conveniently, the Averelle Cover Patches come in an array of sizes, so you can customize according to the size of your pimple, and they have an easy peel design.

Pros:

Essential oil-based formula is gentle, soothing, and pleasant-smelling, and effective.
Come in a variety of sizes.
Blends in well with all skin tones.
Easy peel design.

Cons:

Might not the best choice for those with oily skin.

ICONIC Acne Healing Patch

Budget skincare, forever and ever, amen

No need to shell out the big bucks for these ICONIC pimple patches.

Best Value Buy

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If you’re shopping for skincare on a budget, the ICONIC Acne Healing Patches are a fantastic pick. These powerful patches are just as effective as many more expensive options, even though they’re less than half the cost of most other pimple patches. They’re wonderfully anti-inflammatory, and they’re great at flattening out the skin and calming and soothing any redness. And, because they’re basically invisible, you can wear them out during the day or even under makeup, and they provide up to 24 hours of protection. The ICONIC Acne Healing Patches are suitable for all skin types.

Pros:

Great value.
Super effective at soothing skin and calming down redness.
Can be worn under makeup.
A good option for all skin types.

Cons:

They’re not the best at sticking to your skin.

Mighty Patch Hydrocolloid Pimple Patch

Hey, no need to hurt animals for the sake of skincare

No creatures were harmed in the making of these Mighty Patches, which are fabulously cruelty-free.

Best Cruelty-Free

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If you’re into vegan, cruelty-free skincare and you struggle with acne, the Mighty Patch Pimple Patches are a must-get. Crafted without testing on animals, and without using any harsh chemicals or drying agents, these pimple patches are great at absorbing fluids from zits and thoroughly protecting your skin so that your face heals as fast as possible. That’s because the Mighty Patch Pimple Patches are made with high-quality hydrocolloid, which reduces blemish size while protecting from environmental aggressors. Plus, these patches are translucent, so no one will even know you’re wearing them.

Pros:

Great at clearing acne overnight, thanks to high-quality hydrocolloid.
Translucent, so you can wear them during daylight.
Adheres to skin really well.

Cons:

These work best for blemishes that have fluid in them, like whiteheads, so they may not be the best pick for every kind of pimple.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do pimple patches really work?

Yes, pimple patches can help heal acne faster, since they work by creating a sterile environment for the pimple to heal from the inside out. They also protect your pimple from getting infected, since you won’t be able to pick at your face.

Is there any risk involved with using a pimple patch?

Not at all. You can wear pimple patches for as long as you need to, without worrying about doing any damage to your skin. That being said, if you have super-sensitive skin, you may need to spot-test your patch first.

How long do they take to work?

While you can’t expect a pimple patch to totally heal your wound overnight, you can certainly expect it to help speed up the healing process and reduce inflammation so that your face clears up much faster.