Courtesy of Rael Beauty / Zitsticka
We could rattle on for days about the wonders of Korean skin care, but for now, we'll reiterate our deep-seated appreciation for one particular innovation: acne patches. Instead of popping and picking your blemishes, we simply slap a pimple sticker on top of them and call it a success. The thinnest, most invisible patches are ideal for daytime wear, so you can treat your breakouts whenever you damn want. Otherwise, nighttime is the perfect time to heal blemishes in total privacy.
Unlike some spot treatments, these acne stickers won't leave your skin dry and flaky. Most are small, circular hydrocolloid bandages, meaning they absorb fluid from the pimple, explains Debra Jaliman, a board-certified dermatologist and assistant professor of dermatology at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City. And get this: There are also stickers designed with extra-slim microneedles that deliver acne-fighting ingredients even deeper into the skin to confront your most stubborn, hard-to-reach breakouts.
Acne stickers also have the added benefit of blocking you from aggravating your skin by picking at pimples, says Elizabeth Tanzi, the founder and director of Capital Laser & Skin Care and associate clinical professor in the department of dermatology at the George Washington University Medical Center. (Personally, we're grateful for that benefit alone.) This is key as "picking a pimple increases the inflammation and can slow the healing process down," Tanzi adds. The chances of scarring and getting an infection rise, too.
You'll know the patch is working because you can see the process happening: The clear patch turns white and expands, and the skin (where your zit once was) flattens out and becomes redness-free. After a couple of hours (or a good night's sleep), peel it off to reveal all of the accumulated gunk — it's strangely satisfying. Just be sure to apply the patch onto clean skin, right after a thorough cleanse and before applying the rest of your skin-care routine.
With all this in mind, we rounded up some of our favorite, tried-and-true acne patches from popular brands such as Cosrx, Hero Cosmetics, and Peace Out. Keep one or more of these best-selling options on you at all times (by your bedside, in your bag, etc.) and thank us later.
All products featured on Allure are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
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Florence by Mills Spot a Spot Acne Patches
When your acne patches come in the shapes of clouds, butterflies, and whales, it almost makes up for the fact that you have a rude, uninvited breakout on your face. Almost. But here's the deal: Florence by Mills Spot a Spot Acne Patches not only protect yourself from picking and worsening your blemishes, but a potent blend of exfoliating salicylic acid and antibacterial tea tree oil keeps your pores and inflamed skin in check. These hydrocolloid stickers, which won a 2021 Best of Beauty Award no less, do the damn thing when it comes to absorbing fluids from your pimples and accelerating the healing process.
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Neogen Dermatology A-Clear Soothing Clear Spot Patch
Neogen Dermatology's A-Clear Soothing Clear Spot Patch is part of the well-known Korean brand's A-Clear family that specifically aims to soothe irritated, acne-prone skin, heal blemishes, and regulate sebum production.
These fragrance-free, waterproof patches play a key role in your pimples' healing process by absorbing excess sebum and gunk, shielding the trouble area from further inflammation, and creating a moist environment that helps scars from forming. All 24 stickers, which are evenly divided into 10-millimeter and 12-millimeter sizes, also have very thin, beveled edges for extra-secure adhesion.
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Rael Beauty Miracle Patch Invisible Spot Cover
Be prepared for the long haul with 96 Rael Beauty Miracle Patch Invisible Spot Covers, which offer 10-millimeter and 12-millimeter sizes in a clear, matte finish that blends into all skin tones. These hydrocolloid stickers also have tapered edges to avoid any slipping and sliding around. Pop one onto a burgeoning pimple and wait around four to eight hours (or leave it on overnight) for the patch to turn white, and follow up with a moisturizer (like the Rael Cica Spot Corrector Cream) to hydrate and prevent dark spots from forming.
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Peach Slices Deep Blemish Microdarts
Back in 2017, before Peach & Lily introduced us to the editor-favorite Glass Skin Refining Serum, the popular K-beauty retailer launched an affordable collection called Peach Slices. The original Acne Spot Dots became a hit right away, since they were on the thinner side as far as hydrocolloid stickers go, so you can easily wear them all day undetected.
However, if you've ever experienced stubborn early-stage and below-the-surface pimples, the Deep Blemish Microdarts are for you. One hundred and seventy six tiny, painless spikes infuse a clarifying blend of salicylic acid, tea tree, and willow bark into the targeted area to kickstart the acne-healing process — while hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and cica offer hydrating and soothing benefits. And just like that, you, can stop a pimple before it dares to reach its peak.
(P.S. The third and final type of acne dots that Peach Slices offers is the Dark Spot Microdarts which, as the name suggests, target hyperpigmentation.)
Courtesy of brand5/18
The Klog Soft Shield Pimple Patch
Soko Glam's editorial blog The Klog has been around since 2013, but last year it made a big splash by debuting the Soft Shield Pimple Patch. It's no surprise that some of the best pimple patches in the game come from K-beauty brands, but Soft Shield — which was birthed out of Soko Glam Labs, the same team of in-house experts, estheticians, and chemists who created Good (Skin) Days — takes it a notch further. These nearly invisible, vegan hydrocolloid patches are designed with beveled edges to ensure the most secure fit possible — because your sticker shouldn't be coming loose after an hour.
And the cherry on top? Each pack only costs $6 comes with 42 patches in two different sizes (10 millimeters and 14 millimeters), which means each patch costs a mere 14 cents.
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Courtesy of brand 6/18
Jason Wu Beauty Saved By the Patch Pimple Patch
In case you haven't heard, Jason Wu Beauty is bringing runway beauty and pimple patches to the masses at Target. The Saved By the Patch Pimple Patch is chock-full of salicylic acid, an oil-soluble beta hydroxy acid or BHA that penetrates deep into your pores and dissolves pore-clogging debris — so it's basically a catalyst that speeds up your pimple's healing time.
Antimicrobial tea tree oil and antioxidant-rich grape-seed extract then team up to block external pollutants and calm blemishes the heck down. Each box comes with 36 patches in two sizes, 11 millimeters and 13.5 millimeters, to tackle breakouts of all sizes.
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Peace Out Acne Healing Dots
The Peace Out Acne Healing Dots are flecked with 0.5-percent salicylic acid, which we all know by now is a breakout's worst nightmare. While the classic acne-fighting ingredient rids pores of acne-causing bacteria and dirt, calming aloe vera leaf extract reduces the appearance of redness. Another notable ingredient is retinyl acetate (a very gentle derivative of vitamin A), which helps even out skin tone. You won't be tempted to pop your pimples as long as these acne-fighting stickers — which won a 2021 Readers' Choice Award — are around.
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Patchology Breakout Box 3-in-1 Acne Treatment Kit
Why settle for one type of acne sticker when you could have two? That's the philosophy behind Patchology's Breakout Box 3-in-1 Acne Treatment Kit, a first aid kit of sorts that prepares you for any breakout that dares to pop up. One packet contains 24 salicylic acid- and tea tree-spiked dots to shrink blemishes before they come to a head, and the other packet is filled with 24 hydrocolloid dots to vacuum all of the gunk out of your whiteheads.
On top of all that, you get three nose strips formulated with a clarifying blend of charcoal, Moroccan lava clay, and witch hazel to extract surface layers of dead skin cells and blackheads.
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Julep Patch Me Up Waterproof Pimple Patches
Each lavender packet of Julep's Patch Me Up Waterproof Pimple Patches comes with 36 ultra-thin, matte-finish day patches and 36 potent night patches for more than an entire month's worth of treatments. While the two versions vary in thickness and transparency, their ingredient lists mirror one another and feature dirt-attracting hydrocolloid (of course), anti-microbial tea tree oil, and caprylyl glycol to lock in moisture. They also come in two sizes, 8 millimeters and 12 millimeters, for the optimal fit.
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Acropass Trouble Cure
Strap in because we're going to tackle hormonal and cystic acne (deep, under-the-skin pimples that are extra tender and painful) in just two nighttime steps via the Acropass Trouble Cure. The first step of this innovative acne treatment is a pad soaked in salicylic acid and tea tree leaf oil to sanitize and cleanse the affected area. Easy enough. Then you immediately follow up with a microneedle pimple patch infused with hydrating hyaluronic acid to prevent dry-out, as well as niacinamide and peptides to increase collagen production.
Come morning, you'll see a flatter, less inflamed area. Each box comes with six swabs and six patches, so make them count. (Spoiler: It’s all well worth it.)
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Hero Cosmetics Mighty Patch
If size doesn't matter to you — for acne stickers, that is — the Mighty Patch effectively keeps you from picking at your face and absorbs oils and pus with 36 stickers of the same circumference. They have a matte finish, too, so they look less obvious if you wear them with matte foundation. But if you're concerned about visibility, try the Best of Beauty-winning Mighty Patch Invisible+ for undetectable daytime wear or opt for a Mighty Patch Variety Pack to get the best of three sizes and finishes. One more note: these best sellers are made with vegan hydrocolloid, which means they're not made with gelatin (as some stickers may still be).
We love it so much we added it to our 2021 Allure Beauty Box lineup. You can score the Allure Beauty Box here to access even more editor favorites — for just $23.
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Cosrx Clear Fit Master Patch
Fans of the classic Cosrx Acne Pimple Master Patches will love the Clear Fit Master Patch as a more transparent alternative. The South Korean brand created a slimmer, clearer option for wear during daylight hours, and it's even incredibly easy to cover up with makeup if you'd like to.
This K-beauty favorite has become one of the most popular acne patch picks, and its acclaim is rightly deserved. The hydrocolloid circles cling to skin no matter where you end up wearing them. Allure digital editor Devon Abelman says she has worn them to a Korean day spa and they withstood multiple saunas. Despite their staying power, they're still easy and pain-free to peel off. They also come in three different sizes, depending on what level of coverage you need.
P.S. More recently Cosrx has debuted oval-shaped stickers called Master Patch Intensive, which is equally invisible and spiked with antimicrobial tea tree oil.
Courtesy of brand13/18
ZitSticka Killa Pimple Patch
Australian-based skin-care brand ZitSticka's product debut was a pimple patch covered with dissolving microneedles filled with blemish-busting ingredients, like salicylic acid, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid.
To use, first wipe the inflamed area with the accompanying cleansing cloth to clean it, then gently place the patch on your skin. Leave it on for at least two hours (or overnight) to bring down blemish swelling, redness, and size.
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Dr. Jart+ Focuspot Blemish Micro Tip Patch
Dr. Jart+ makes some of the most advanced, ambitious acne patches on the market. More than just a little zit cover, the Focuspot Blemish Micro Tip Patch is made with 65 percent hyaluronic acid "micro tips" that are also infused with vitamin B3 (or niacinamide) and peptides to not only speed up the acne cycle but also help prevent scarring.
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Nexcare Acne Absorbing Covers
Most of us are familiar with the drugstore-friendly Nexcare Acne Absorbing Covers, which were likely one of our first encounters with acne patches, ever. Because they're made by a bandage brand, they're as heavy-duty and clinical as they come. If you want to cover a lot of surface area, this pack comes with the biggest circular stickers we've ever used.
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Peter Thomas Roth Acne-Clear Invisible Dots
Although most acne patches themselves provide the mechanism (hydrocolloid) that draws out the icky stuff in zits, some — like Peter Thomas Roth's Acne-Clear Invisible Dots — are also infused with additional blemish-busting ingredients. In these, you'll find salicylic acid and tea tree oil, both of which are known to help clear acne, so you're getting multiple layers of benefits.
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Alba Botanica Acnedote Pimple Patches
These powerful patches are infused with anti-inflammatory tea tree oil and witch hazel to draw out fluids and oils from stubborn zits, expediting the healing process by keeping skin moist and keeping out bacteria — including the kind on your fingers from when you're tempted to pick. Each box comes with 40 patches.
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Skyn Iceland Blemish Dots
Because the Skyn Iceland Blemish Dots aren't made with hydrocolloid technology, they won't puff up or change colors. Instead, the paper-thin, transparent stickers adhere to skin with gel that's infused with blemish-banishing tea tree oil and salicylic acid. They're like a spot treatment that won't rub away onto your pillow as you toss and turn at night.
Keywordsacnepimple patchbreakoutsacne patchescosrxPeach And Lilyk-beautykorean beautyacne treatmentsacne stickerpimplepimplesadult acneacne stickersalba botanicaPeter Thomas Rothdr. jarthydrocolloid bandageskin careHero Cosmeticskorean skin careneogenPeach SlicesskincareSoko Glamjason wupeace outshoppingshopping guidebeauty shoppingAllure Best of BeautyBest of Beauty 2021