How Do Pimple Patches Work? Here’s Everything You Need to Know

Back in the day, getting a zit meant caking on disguising 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 dress it up? No frantic blending or pore-clogging products are required. Today, we’re embracing a radically different (and refreshingly low-key) approach to acne: slapping a bright yellow star-shaped sticker on it and calling it a day.

Welcome to the era of the pimple patch, where blemishes aren’t shameful secrets to conceal but just part of the human experience. While putting a literal sticker on a zit may seem bold, it’s also an effective way to treat blemishes. Here, we dive into the science, benefits, and best ways to rock a pimple patch. If you’re interested in skin science, don’t forget to check out our guides to How an LED Mask Works and the ancient history of snail mucin.

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Table of Contents

1. What Is a Pimple Patch?
2. How Do Hydrocolloid Patches Work?
3. Our Favorite Pimple Patches
4. Other Spot Treatments
5. How Often Can You Use Hydrocolloid Patches?
6. Final Tips and Advice

What Is a Pimple Patch?

In simplest terms, pimple patches are tiny, adhesive stickers made to tackle acne one blemish at a time. These patches cover the pimple and absorb excess fluid, speed up healing, and keep you from picking at your skin—no small feat. Pimple patches come in various formulas, with different ingredients for different breakouts, but the most popular are hydrocolloid patches.

How Do Hydrocolloid Patches Work?

Hydrocolloid patches are a type of wound dressing that helps retain moisture and create a moist, healing environment for pimples, burns, or blisters. “They’re made of a water-attracting material, which is attached to a really thin plastic film,” says cosmetic chemist Michelle Wong. “So if you have an open pimple, for example, it can suck out the pus.”

Although hydrocolloid has been used for wound care since the 1960s (originally developed in the 1930s by a dentist), it wasn’t until the early 2010s that pimple patches started showing up on skincare and beauty shelves.

When applied to an inflamed pimple—typically one with fluid—the warmth of your skin softens the lining of the sticker, helping it suck out the impurities. It also acts like a little seal that protects the blemish from further irritation or spread. If you’ve ever pulled off a patch to find the underside coated in an icky white substance, that’s a mix of the hydrocolloid gel and the drained oils pulled from the skin. This process also prevents you from picking at the pimple—a habit that can lead to longer healing times, infection, and scarring.

Our Favorite Pimple Patches

Other Spot Treatments

“Spot treatments [tend] to contain benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, or witch hazel,” writes Lindsey Zubritsky, a board-certified dermatologist at Premier Dermatology and Skin Cancer Center, in an email. “These are active ingredients—while they may work, they can also potentially cause dryness and irritation.” Pure hydrocolloid patches, on the other hand, don’t contain active ingredients, which makes them ideal for sensitive or reactive skin.

How Often Can You Use Hydrocolloid Patches?

[A GETTY IMAGE TO BREAK THIS UP WOULD BE GOOD]

According to most dermatologists, you can use hydrocolloid patches as needed. Zubritsky (aka @dermguru on TikTok) suggests wearing them for up to 12 hours, ideally overnight. But they can also be worn during the day. They’re particularly effective on fluid-filled pimples, such as papules, pustules, or cysts.

“Hydrocolloid patches are considered safe and effective,” writes Zubritsky, “I just wouldn’t recommend relying on them as the sole treatment for acne.” While they help treat individual blemishes, they don’t prevent outbreaks of acne blemishes, and they don’t treat cystic acne or blackheads.

Wong adds that if you have oily skin, the patch may not stick as well, though it usually isn’t a major issue. Lastly, those with more melanin-rich skin may want to avoid daytime use, as UV exposure could lead to hyperpigmentation where the patch was applied.

Final Tips and Advice

Always clean the blemish before applying a patch. Hydrocolloids seal in whatever’s under them, so you want to start with clean skin. Dry the area as well—they won’t stick to a damp surface. Obviously, popping pimples is a no-no, but if one does happen to burst, a hydrocolloid patch can also help heal open wounds. Some skincare brands add ingredients like tea tree oil or niacinamide to their patches, so be aware if you have sensitive skin or known allergies.