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The 17 Best Pimple Patches For Treating Blackheads, Whiteheads, Cysts, And More

Stick it to your zits.

By Katrina Mitzeliotis and Chelsea Burns
Text, Font, Games, Graphic design, Illustration, Paper product,

ICYMI: Pimple patches are socially acceptable to wear in public. And for those zoom calls where you'd rather not draw attention to them, just throw on a transparent one and put up that zoom filter. No more white dotted faces or bleached pillowcases—pimple patches are your new best friend and your pimples' worst enemy.

Meet Our Experts: Marnie Nussbaum, MD, a New York City-based dermatologist, Irene Gladstein, MD, founder and medical director at ENHANCE Aesthetic Arts in New York City

“Pimple patches provide a targeted, pre-measured dose of an active ingredient directly to the source, easing the application process and preventing users from over or under-applying topical treatments,” explains Marnie Nussbaum, MD, a dermatologist in New York City.

Another benefit of a patch is that it helps you resist the urge to pick. “Pimple picking creates post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation or scarring which lasts much longer than the actual pimple would have,” says Dr. Nussbaum.

So throw one on before you hop into bed (they typically need at least a few hours to work their magic), wake up and peel it away to see your results. Check out the best options below and get ready to finally bid goodbye to your breakout.

  • 1
    Hydro-Stars + Salicylic Acid Star Patch

    Best Overall

    Starface Hydro-Stars + Salicylic Acid Star Patch

    $13 at Target
    Read more
  • 2
    Spot a Spot Acne Patches

    Cutest Shapes

    florence by mills Spot a Spot Acne Patches

    Read more
  • 3
    Breakout Box 3-in-1 Pimple & Acne Spots Treatment Patch Kit

    Best Multipurpose

    Patchology Breakout Box 3-in-1 Pimple & Acne Spots Treatment Patch Kit

    Read more
  • 4
    On the Go Blemish Patch

    Best For Travelling

    HANHOO On the Go Blemish Patch

    Read more
  • 5
    Acne-Clear Invisible Dots

    Best Invisible Patches

    Peter Thomas Roth Acne-Clear Invisible Dots

    Read more
1
Best Overall

Starface Hydro-Stars + Salicylic Acid Star Patch

Hydro-Stars + Salicylic Acid Star Patch
1
Best Overall

Starface Hydro-Stars + Salicylic Acid Star Patch

$13 at Target$13 at Walmart
Pros
  • Affordable
  • Fun to wear
Cons
  • May not work on all kinds of pimples

The 1% salicylic acid helps clear away dead skin cells and build up while hydrocolloid soaks up anything that lies beneath.

2
Cutest Shapes

florence by mills Spot a Spot Acne Patches

Spot a Spot Acne Patches
2
Cutest Shapes

florence by mills Spot a Spot Acne Patches

Pros
  • Available in fun shapes
  • Contain salicylic acid and tea tree oil
Cons
  • Not everyone will see results overnight

Just because these come in cloud, butterfly, and whale shapes, doesn't mean they're any less powerful. Over 75% of users saw a reduction in spot size after eight hours and over 95% of users saw a reduction in redness after eight hours. It's the just-right mix of Hydrocolloid, Salicylic Acid, Peppermint Oil, and Tea Tree Oil that does all the hard work.

3
Best Multipurpose

Patchology Breakout Box 3-in-1 Pimple & Acne Spots Treatment Patch Kit

Breakout Box 3-in-1 Pimple & Acne Spots Treatment Patch Kit
3
Best Multipurpose

Patchology Breakout Box 3-in-1 Pimple & Acne Spots Treatment Patch Kit

Pros
  • Works on pimples, whiteheads, and blackheads
  • Stops you from picking at blemishes
Cons
  • Products can't be purchased separately

No matter your pimple problem, this patch toolkit will have you covered. There's three nose pore strips, 24 salicylic acid dots, and 24 hydrocolloid dots.

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4
Best For Travelling

HANHOO On the Go Blemish Patch

On the Go Blemish Patch
4
Best For Travelling

HANHOO On the Go Blemish Patch

Credit: amazon.com
Pros
  • Cheap
  • Comes with 108 patches
Cons
  • Patches are small

Never be caught without a pimple patch again thanks to this (seemingly) endless wheel of patches. The roll of 108 (!) patches is dispensed through a compact so you can throw it in your bag and not worry about them getting bent or contaminated. Simple pull it out of the slot to get it started and grab your patches to your skin's content.

5
Best Invisible Patches

Peter Thomas Roth Acne-Clear Invisible Dots

Acne-Clear Invisible Dots
5
Best Invisible Patches

Peter Thomas Roth Acne-Clear Invisible Dots

Credit: .
Pros
  • Very discreet
  • Includes hydrating hyaluronic acid
Cons
  • Don't help with dark spots

If you feel like your blackheads are glaring back at you in the mirror, reach for one of these translucent little disks. Tea tree oil works as a natural astringent while salicylic acid fights the targeted area without causing unnecessary irritation or dryness to the surrounding skin.

6
Best For Under-the-Surface Blemishes

ZitSticka Killa Spot Clarifying Microdart Patch

Killa Spot Clarifying Microdart Patch
6
Best For Under-the-Surface Blemishes

ZitSticka Killa Spot Clarifying Microdart Patch

This remarkable creation from the Australian-based skincare brand was specifically designed with dreadful under-the-skin cysts in mind. Dissolvable micro-darts containing hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and salicylic acid penetrate the top two layers of skin, treating the pimple where it needs it the most.

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7
Best Overnight Patch

Peace Out Acne Healing Dots

Acne Healing Dots
7
Best Overnight Patch

Peace Out Acne Healing Dots

Credit: .

Just because you committed a cardinal sin and attempted to pick at your pimple doesn’t mean you can’t benefit from an overnight patch that’ll speed up the healing process. Hydrocolloid technology will suck out all the gunk while salicylic acid breaks down the pimple, ensuring your blemish is most improved by morning.

8
Best For Body Breakouts

Avarelle Acne Cover Patch XL

Acne Cover Patch XL
8
Best For Body Breakouts

Avarelle Acne Cover Patch XL

Credit: walmart.com

If you suffer from pimples on your back or your chest, this is the product for you. The XL hydrocolloid patches are large enough to cover a major breakout, regardless of where it might flare up, thanks to soothing tea tree and calendula oil.

9
Best For Withstanding Workouts

COSRX Acne Pimple Master Patch

Acne Pimple Master Patch
9
Best For Withstanding Workouts

COSRX Acne Pimple Master Patch

Credit: ulta.com

Dr. Gladstein recommends this best-selling hydrocolloid patch for treating pesky pimples. Still not convinced? Just read one of the 2,700 (and counting) Amazon reviews. Once applied, this K-beauty gem won’t budge, making it great to rock even during a workout. They also come in three different sizes so you can find a patch that perfectly covers your problem pimple.

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10
Most Popular

Mighty Patch The Original

Mighty Patch The Original
10
Most Popular

Mighty Patch The Original

Credit: .

These tiny hydrocolloid discs are smaller than a pencil eraser but they’ll work wonders overnight as they suck out the puss from your pimple, dramatically reducing the size of your blemish.

11
Best Budget

Nexcare Acne Blemish Cover

Acne Blemish Cover
11
Best Budget

Nexcare Acne Blemish Cover

Credit: .

For under $6 you can stock up on these durable hydrocolloid patches at your local drugstore (or on Amazon). The patch works like a sponge and zaps up puss and oil, minimizing the appearance of your pimple after one use.

12
Fastest-Acting

Peach Slices Acne Spot Dots

Acne Spot Dots
12
Fastest-Acting

Peach Slices Acne Spot Dots

Credit: .

Trying to clear up a pimple ahead of a big date? These powerful, translucent patches are super-thin, making them totally discreet enough to rock under makeup, and the fast-acting hydrocolloid spot makes it possible to shrink your zit in less than a day. When it comes to clear skin, time is of the essence.

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13
Best For Inflammation

Dr. Jart+ Focuspot Blemish Micro Tip Patch

Focuspot Blemish Micro Tip Patch
13
Best For Inflammation

Dr. Jart+ Focuspot Blemish Micro Tip Patch

Credit: .

Fighting off a red, inflamed pimple? These powerful patches replicate the effect of a micro-needing procedure as they deliver an ample dose of niacinamide, (which calms inflammation), and oligopeptide-76, (to kill bacteria), all while improving the look of a bad breakout and delivering much-needed moisture.

14
Best Drugstore Buy

Alba Botanica Acne Pimple Patch

Acne Pimple Patch
14
Best Drugstore Buy

Alba Botanica Acne Pimple Patch

This hydrocolloid patch is paired with tea tree oil (a natural anti-inflammatory and antibacterial ingredient), witch hazel (helps cleanse), and salicylic acid (clears out pores) for a major triple threat.

15
Best For Dressing Up

Squish Beauty Flower Power Acne Patches

Flower Power Acne Patches
15
Best For Dressing Up

Squish Beauty Flower Power Acne Patches

Credit: squish

For a major distraction, cover your whitehead with one of these bedazzled hydrocolloid patches—or wear them sans zits with some go go boots for a quick 70s Halloween costume—either way, these patches make covering zits cute and we're here for it.

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16
Best CBD Patch

Truly CBD Acne Patches

CBD Acne Patches
16
Best CBD Patch

Truly CBD Acne Patches

Credit: urban outfitters

Along with hydrocolloid and salicylic acid, this patch uses hemp seed oil to help calm inflammation and redness caused by pimples. Just maybe be leery of wearing this one to work.

17
Best For Dark Spots

Skyn Iceland Blemish Dots

Blemish Dots
17
Best For Dark Spots

Skyn Iceland Blemish Dots

Now 20% Off
Credit: walmart.com

On top of the usual ingredients (salicylic acid and tea tree oil), these patches also pack in hyaluronic acid to keep your spot hydrated and vitamin C to help lighten up any discoloration that pimples are synonymous for.

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Hydrocolloid pimple patches soak up fluid.

There are several types of pimple patches, the first and most common being hydrocolloid (a gel-like material that doctors have used for decades to heal wounds).

“Hydrocolloid patches are most effective at pulling fluid out of acne, making them best to use on puss-filled pimples, like whiteheads,” says Irene Gladstein, MD, founder and medical director at ENHANCE Aesthetic Arts in New York City. These patches are typically translucent then turn white as they draw out the gunk that was inside. Not only showing it to be super effective but also super satisfying.

Salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide pimple patches unclog pores and reduce the size of the pimple.

Another type of patch to look for is one with salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide, “two proven acne-fighting ingredients that will unclog the pore and help dissolve the sebum, thus diminishing the size of the pimple,” says Dr. Nussbaum. Though she notes that no matter which patch you choose, they are most effective when they’re applied during the early stages of a pimple at the first sight of any redness or inflammation.

Headshot of Chelsea Burns
Chelsea Burns

Chelsea Burns is the Beauty Director for Women’s Health and has been writing in the beauty and wellness space for over six years with her work appearing in Real Simple, Health, Fitness, and Byrdie.com. She’s an expert at testing products and is always on the hunt for the best tinted moisturizer.

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