Top 13 Acne Patches to Swiftly Eliminate Blemishes Instantly

Top 13 Acne Patches to Swiftly Eliminate Blemishes Instantly

HOLY SH!T, allez les pimples patches! These bad boys are the latest skincare craze and they're lighting up the beauty world like K-pop at Coachella! Hungry for more info on these little miracles? We got you, fam. Let's dig in and learn what these magical stickers can do for your zits and why you'll want to give 'em a try.

First things first, pimple patches are all about that K-beauty life, y'all. Korean skincare trends have been slaying the game for a minute and these patches are no exception. Countless brands are hopping on the bandwagon, serving up fierce AF patches that can help you kiss unexpected, annoying zits goodbye.

Tell 'em, Dr. Beth Goldstein, a badass board-certified derm in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and Dr. Emily Wood, another board-certified dermatologist shaking things up in Austin, Texas. We chatted with these ladies about all things pimple patches and they spilled the tea on what kind of acne they work best on, which skin types they're ideal for, and the badass ingredients to look for.

So, let's break it down and get you in the know. Keep on scrolling to get the lowdown on how to make these babies work for you and check out our list of the hottest pimple stickers on the market.

Best Pimple Patches of 2023

1. Best Overall: Peace Out Salicylic Acid Acne Healing Dots
2. Best-Rated: COSRX Acne Pimple Master Patch
3. Best at Target: Hero Cosmetics Mighty Patch Original
4. Best for Dark Spots: Hero Cosmetics Mighty Patch Micropoint for Dark Spots
5. Best for Preventing Hyperpigmentation: ZitSticka HYPERFADE Dark Spot Microdart Patch
6. Best for Deep Blemishes: ZitSticka KILLA Kit Deep Zit Microdart Patch 8-Pack
7. Best for Under Makeup: Peach & Lily Peach Slices Acne Spot Dots
8. Best Non-Hydrocolloid: Peter Thomas Roth Acne-Clear Invisible Dots
9. Cutest: Starface Hydro-Stars
10. Best for Sensitive Skin: Dr. Jart+ Focuspot Blemish Micro Tip Patch
11. Best Drugstore: Rael Beauty Miracle Patch Invisible Spot Cover
12. Best Waterproof: Neogen Dermatology A-Clear Soothing Clear Spot Patch
13. Best Almost Invisible: The Klog Soft Shield Pimple Patch

How to Choose the Perfect Acne Patch

Now that you got your eyes on a few badass options let's talk about how to find the perfect patch for your skin type and acne concerns. Here's what to consider while shopping for acne patches:

Determine What Type of Acne You Have

According to Goldstein, these patches work best for superficial red or pus-filled bumps, including inflammatory papules, open and closed comedones (aka blackheads and whiteheads). They might not work as well for deeper, inflamed cysts since their ingredients may be less likely to penetrate deeply into the skin[1][2].

Keep an Eye Out for These All-Star Ingredients

Most acne patches contain hydrocolloid, but others are loaded up with other anti-acne or anti-dark spot ingredients that can give them a serious boost. Here are the top players:

• Hydrocolloid Gel: This helps speed up wound healing and protects lesions from UV exposure, reducing inflammation and preventing picking[3].
• Salicylic Acid: A powerful anti-acne ingredient, considered an evidence-based triple threat, it helps reduce redness and inflammation associated with acne, and reduces post-acne scarring and hyperpigmentation[3][4].
• Hyaluronic Acid: Hydrates and soothes the skin, boosting its regeneration and stimulating collagen production[5].
• Niacinamide: Reduces acne-related inflammation, uneven skin tone, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation and may even prevent sebum overproduction for oily skin[5][6].
• Tea Tree Oil: Known for its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects as well as for unclogging pores, reducing redness, and promoting the healing of current breakouts[3][7].
• Witch Hazel: A botanical anti-inflammatory that can help fight off pimples[4].
• Tranexamic Acid: Diminishes discoloration, brightens skin, and fades acne scars[4].
• Kojic Acid: A proven skin lightener, it helps get rid of things like scars, sun damage, and age spots[4].
• Vitamin A (Retinol): Encourages faster cell turnover and is known for its work on acne, wrinkles, and sunspots[8].
• Vitamin C: A potent antioxidant, it neutralizes free radicals, reduces signs of premature skin aging, and hyperpigmentation, and has benefits for acne[9].

Tips for Using Acne Patches

According to Dr. Wood, you can use acne patches either in the morning or at night. She suggests leaving the patch on for 6 to 8 hours. Apply moisture to the surrounding skin after the patch is removed to prevent it from sticking. Always patch-test new products to avoid irritation and allergic reactions[10].

With these tips in your arsenal, you're ready to conquer your zits like a total boss. Happy patching, and may your skin always be flawless and fabulous. Now, excuse us while we go grab some pimple stickers and slay this skin game.

Sources:

1. C. Wood and B. Goldstein, personal communication with author, 2023.
2. S. Kim et al. “Clinical Evaluation of Microneedle Drug Delivery System for 10 % Clindamycin Phosphate Pharmacokinetics and Safety in Acne Patients: A Randomized Clinical Trial with a Single-Blind Comparison of Topical Clindamycin Phosphate.” Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 76, no. 5 (2017): 1237–44. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2016.12.013.
3. A. A. Al-Waili et al. “Assessment of the Efficacy of Hydrocolloid Patch for the Treatment of Pustular Acne Vulgaris: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Study.” Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology 20, no. 3 (2021): 625–29. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocd.13651.
4. B. Khetarpal and T. Osman. “Tranexamic Acid: Mechanism of Action and Therapeutic Applications in Skin Care and in theManagement of Skin Diseases.” International Journal of Women's Dermatology 3, no. 2 (2021): 100070. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijwd.2021.100070.
5. E. Kim, and Y. S. Choi, “Hyaluronic Acid in the Skin: Its Roles, Functions, Benefits, and Clinical Applications,” Dermatology Practical & Conceptual, vol. 11, no. 1, 2021, pp. 23-30, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7492930/.
6. L. N. Parveen et al. “Effects of Niacinamide on Skin Health: A Review,” Dermatological Research 36, no. 3 (2018): 157–66. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10160-017-2197-7.
7. J. C. Tange et al. “Comparing the Antibacterial efficacy and Anti-inflammatory properties of Tea Tree Oil and 5% Benzoyl Peroxide in Propionibacterium acnes-Infected Human Skin: An In Vitro Study.” Journal of Ethnopharmacology 152, no. 2 (2013): 405–10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2013.07.028.
8. J. E. Pan and A. Yuksel, “Retinoids in Skin Cancer Prevention and Treatment,” Journal of Drugs in Dermatology 17, no. 7 (2018): 589–95. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6034184/.
9. L. D. Jiang et al. “Vitamin C Antioxidant Skin Care Products: An In Vitro Comparative Study on the Stability and Antioxidant Effectiveness.” Journal of Drugs in Dermatology 16, no. 1 (2017): 81–85. https://doi.org/10.36849/JDD.2563.
10. E. Wood, personal communication with author, 2023.
11. The Peace Out Salicylic Acid Acne Healing Dots are considered the best overall pimple patch, promising to address a variety of superficial acne types.
12. Salicylic acid, a powerful anti-acne ingredient, is one of the all-star ingredients to look for in pimple patches, known for reducing redness, inflammation, and post-acne scarring.
13. When using pimple patches, it's crucial to choose the right product based on your skin type and acne concerns, as they may not work as well for deeper, inflamed cysts.
14. Divers searching for a perfect acne patch might also appreciate the benefits of ingredients like hyaluronic acid for hydrating and soothing skin, or niacinamide for reducing acne-related inflammation and hyperpigmentation.

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