How do pimples occur? Do the patches work? Back in the day, getting a zit meant applying hidden layers of foundation, concealer, powder… or maybe just a strategically angled hairstyle. But now, the game has changed: Why hide a pimple when you can decorate it? No intense blending or pore-clogging products required. Today, we’re taking a radically different (and refreshingly low-key) approach to clogged pores: slapping a bright yellow star-shaped sticker on it and calling it quits.
Welcome to the age of the pimple patch, where blemishes aren’t shameful secrets to hide, but part of the human experience. Although applying literal stickers to scars may seem bold, it is also an effective way to treat blemishes. Here, we will learn in detail about the science, benefits, and best ways to heal hydrocolloid pimple patches.
If you’re interested in dermatology, don’t miss our guides to red light therapy masks and LED devices, exosome treatments, and the ancient history of snail mucin.
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Updated November 2025: We’ve added Curology Emergency Spot Patch Holographic, La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo+M Multi-Target Blemish Patches, Hero Cosmetics Micropoints for Dark Spots, and Starface Hydrostar + Salicylic Acid as new picks. We’ve also added a FAQ section and updated prices and links.
What is a hydrocolloid patch?
In simple terms, pimple patches are small, adhesive stickers that are created to tackle different types of acne, one blemish at a time. These patches unclog pores and absorb excess fluid, speed up wound healing, and keep you from scratching your skin – no small feat. Pimple patches come in a variety of formulas, containing different ingredients for different breakouts, but the most popular are hydrocolloid acne patches.
How do hydrocolloid patches work?
Photograph: Andrew Youngberg/Getty Images
Hydrocolloid patches are a type of wound dressing that helps retain moisture and create a moist, healing environment for pimples, burns or wounds. “They’re made of a water-attracting material, attached to a very thin plastic film,” says cosmetic chemist Michelle Wong. “For example, if you have an open pimple, it may suck out pus.”
Although hydrocolloid dressings have been used for wound care since the 1960s (the dressing was originally developed by a dentist in the 1930s), acne dressings did not begin to appear on skin care and beauty shelves until the early 2010s.
When applied to an inflamed rash – usually with fluid – the warmth of your skin softens the sticker layer, allowing it to draw out impurities and dirt. It also acts as a protective barrier that prevents the stain from becoming further irritated or spread. If you’ve ever removed a patch and found that the area beneath the skin is coated in a sticky white substance, that’s a mixture of hydrocolloid gel and excess oil drawn from the skin. This healing process also prevents you from picking the pimple – a habit that can lead to longer healing times, infection, and scarring.
Our Favorite Pimple Patches
Other spot treatments
“Spot treatment [tend] These include benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid or witch hazel,” board-certified dermatologist Lindsay Zubritsky of Premier Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center writes in an email. ”These are active ingredients – although they may work, they can also potentially cause dryness and irritation.” Pure hydrocolloid patches, on the other hand, do not contain active ingredients, which makes them ideal for sensitive or reactive skin types.
Final Tips and Advice
Always clean the affected area before applying the patch. Hydrocolloids seal whatever is underneath them, so you’ll want to start with a cleanser. Dry the area as well—they won’t stick to a damp surface. Popping pimples is not a taboo, but if pimples do pop, hydrocolloid patches can also help heal open wounds. The formulations of some skin care products have acne-fighting ingredients like tea tree oil or niacinamide added to their patches, so be careful if you have sensitive skin or known allergies.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often can you use pimple patches?
According to most dermatologists, you can use pimple patches as needed. Zubritsky (@dermguru on TikTok) suggests wearing them for up to 12 hours, ideally overnight. But they can be worn during the day also.
Do pimple patches work on uncracked pimples?
Pimple patches are especially effective on fluid-filled pimples, such as papules and pustules. “Hydrocolloid patches are considered safe and effective,” writes Zubritsky, “I would not recommend relying on them as the sole acne treatment.” Although they help treat surface-level blemishes such as whiteheads, they do not prevent outbreaks of acne scars, and they do not treat cystic pimples or blackheads.
Can pimple patches help reduce acne scars?
If you’re a habitual skin picker, acne scars can help reduce acne scars by preventing them from growing further and promoting a better healing environment. Applying a patch to a stain that has not been properly cleaned can trap bacteria and oil, potentially leading to scarring.
When should you not use pimple patches?
Wong says that if you have oily skin, the patch won’t stick as well, though that’s usually not a big issue. Finally, people with more melanin-rich skin tones may want to avoid daytime use, as UV exposure may cause hyperpigmentation where the patch was applied.
What are we testing next?
- Michelle Wong, a cosmetic chemist and teacher at Lab Muffin in Sydney, Australia.
- Lindsay Zubritsky, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist at the premier dermatology and skin cancer center in Ocean Springs, MS.
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