We could rattle on for days about the wonders of Korean skin-care products, but for now, we’ll reiterate our deep-seated appreciation for the best acne patches — some of which have thankfully made it stateside, while others are being developed by U.S.-based brands. Instead of popping and picking at your blemishes (and creating acne scars in the process), we simply apply a pimple sticker on top. The thinnest, most invisible patches are ideal for daytime wear, so you can treat your breakouts whenever you damn please. Otherwise, nighttime is the perfect time to heal blemishes or hormonal acne in total privacy while you snooze.
Unlike some spot treatments, these acne stickers won’t leave your skin dry and flaky. Most are small, circular hydrocolloid bandages, meaning they absorb fluid from the pimple, explains Debra Jaliman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and assistant professor of dermatology at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City. And get this: There are also stickers designed with extra-slim microneedles that deliver acne-fighting ingredients even deeper into the skin to confront your most stubborn, hard-to-reach breakouts.
Acne stickers also have the added benefit of blocking you from aggravating your skin by picking at pimples, says Elizabeth Tanzi, MD, the founder and director of Capital Laser & Skin Care and associate clinical professor in the department of dermatology at the George Washington University Medical Center. (Personally, we’re grateful for that benefit alone.) This is key as “picking a pimple increases the inflammation and can slow the healing process down,” Dr. Tanzi adds. The chances of scarring and getting an infection rise, too.
You’ll know the patch is working because you can see the process happening: The clear patch turns white and expands, and the skin (where your zit once was) flattens out and becomes redness-free. After a couple of hours (or a good night’s sleep), peel it off to reveal all of the accumulated gunk. It’s strangely satisfying, trust us. Just be sure to apply the patch onto clean skin, right after a thorough cleanse and before applying the rest of your skin-care routine.
With all this in mind, we rounded up some of our favorite, tried-and-true acne patches from popular brands such as Cosrx, Hero Cosmetics, and Peace Out. Keep one or more of these best-selling options on you at all times (by your bedside, in your bag, etc.), and thank us later.
Our Top Picks
- Best Overall: Hero Cosmetics Mighty Patch Original, $13
- Best Micropoint Patch: Peach Slices Deep Blemish Microdarts, $9
- Cutest Design: Starface Hydro Stars, $15
- Allure Best of Beauty winner: Florence by Mills Spot a Spot Acne Patches, $15
- Best Deep-Exfoliating Spot Treatment: ZitSticka Killa, $29
- K-Beauty OG: Cosrx Acne Pimple Master Patch, $13
- Reader Favorite: Peace Out Acne Healing Dots, $19
- Most Invisible: The Klog Soft Shield Pimple Patch, $6