Blemishes are a normal, albeit frustrating part of life. Even those with the clearest skin have to deal with a pimple popping up every now and then.
The best way to deal with breakouts is to prevent them from developing in the first place — with a consistent skincare routine and a focus on ingredients that treat the acne you're most prone to. Still, sometimes a pimple erupts and you need something to calm it down, fast. In those moments, pimple patches are a great option.
Pimple patches are essentially adhesive stickers that you can apply directly on top of a blemish. These stickers serve two main purposes. According to dermatologist Dr. Joshua Zeichner, "Pimple patches both provide a protective barrier over the skin to enhance wound healing, and some deliver active ingredients to the skin as well."
What are the different types of pimple patches?Beyond just protecting your pimple from your own picking and prodding, a pimple patch can deliver blemish-busting ingredients quickly and easily. If you've been doing some research about pimple patches on your own, you've probably come across these two options: hydrocolloid patches and salicylic acid patches.
Hydrocolloid is the same ingredient used in wound-healing bandages, according to dermatologist Dr. Marisa Garshick, so these patches are designed to provide a protective barrier over the skin and absorb fluid and oils from the pimple. Ultimately, this will help the blemish diminish in size.
Salicylic acid patches work by delivering the ingredient to the affected area. Because salicylic acid is an exfoliant, Dr. Garshick tells us, it helps to unclog the pores and improve the appearance of blemishes.
Dr. Garshick also says that hydrocolloid patches tend to work best for cystic, inflamed breakouts while salicylic acid patches work best for blackheads and whiteheads. You may find patches that are a hybrid of both as well as options that feature a host of other skin-soothing ingredients, like hyaluronic acid.
Are pimple patches the best way to get rid of blemishes?If you're just looking to get rid of a single pimple, then pimple patches are a great option, but both of the dermatologists we spoke to agreed they should not be used as your main form of acne treatment. Pimple patches, quite literally, put a bandage on the problem itself. If you're looking for a long-term acne solution, you'll want to use products that get to the root of your problems. "Rather than addressing individual spots that arise, it is better to prevent new pimples from developing to begin with," Dr. Zeichner says. He recommends acne medications with ingredients like salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, and adapalene, depending on your specific concerns. Dr. Garshick also recommends going to your dermatologist's office for a cortisone injection if you're dealing with a deep cystic breakout that won't budge.
Here are the best pimple patches you can buy: