The 13 Best Acne Patches to Banish Pimples Fast

If you've ever had a pimple (hi, yes, everyone), then you're familiar with the dark marks and hyperpigmentation that get left behind. While a traditional pimple patch can take care of inflammation and pus, these should be used in the recovery process to help fade discoloration at a quicker rate. “Not only do they have an innovative blend of pigment fighting ingredients such as niacinamide, tranexamic acid, and vitamin C, but they also have 173 dissolving micro points to help deliver the ingredients exactly where they’re needed," explains Dr. Robinson. 

Pros: Dermatologist-approved; Contains micro-darts 

Cons: Need multiple patches to notice a difference 

When I want to get the job done, I reach for one of these patches. After an all-day/night-wearing session, I am amazed at how much has been absorbed. The best part?  There's nothing toxic on the ingredient least. "We are the only clean, FDA-approved, over-the-counter (OTC) acne dot on the market. This allows us to differentiate ourselves from the rest of the acne dots on the market as we are the only brand with that FDA-approved claim," says Frezza. "We are also clean! We reformulated hydrocolloid to create the first and only clean, acne hydrocolloid patch. "

Pros: Hydrating; Doesn't slip or budge 

Cons: Expensive 

One word: Powerful. Another word: Sticky. If you’re prone to oily skin and can’t seem to keep your patch on, Cosrx is about to be your go-to—it doesn't budge. The waterproof design will stand up through workouts, errands, and even a restless night's sleep. The hydrocolloid patches come on one large sheet that conveniently features multiple size dots, so you'll have the perfect match for every kind of blemish. Let it do its anti-inflammatory thing overnight, and you'll wake up with a less angry, less red, and, god willing, much less inflamed blemish. 

Pros: Stay on; Hydrocolloid dressing 

Cons: Doesn't do anything for unpopped pimples, blackheads, or cysts

While a salicylic acid body wash or spray is going to be your primary line of defense against body breakouts, a body acne patch is a great supplement to your routine. A typical acne patch might be a bit too small, but these Rael options are super sized. And, since back or chest breakouts are typically clustered, one sticker will treat a large portion of your breakout in one shot. It flattens out bumps, soaks up oil, and extracts pus like nothing else. 

Pros: Big enough for body; Hydrocolloid 

Cons: Pricy; Don't always reduce size of acne 

By and large, pimple patches are going to work best on whiteheads or juicy pustules that have already been popped. That said, these babies can swoop in and save the day way before pus starts to ooze. Because they're designed with itty-bitty microneedles, they're able to puncture the surface of the skin and get acne-fighting ingredients directly into the pimple before it surfaces. The little darts will dissolve within two hours, and effectively infuse your budding acne with a dose of salicylic acid, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid. 

Pros: Contains microdarts; Infuses salicylic acid

Cons: Expensive 

You’ve probably seen these patches on your favorite influencers or celebs on Instagram and TikTok, and it’s not just because they make for a great Instagrammable moment. You can feel the pimples meeting their match, one star at a time. They come in a travel-friendly, refillable container that also has a mirror in case you need to swap out patches throughout the day. Another call out? The unique shape of the star design. Sure, it's a play on the brand's name, but the corners of the star also ensure your patches adhere to hard-to-reach areas like the corners of the lips or around the nostrils. 

Pros: Cute; Hydrocolloid; Refillable case 

Cons: Not infused with any treatment ingredients 

Fair warning: You'll feel a little prick when you press these microdarts onto the skin. But once your patch is on, it's game over for your pimple. Salicylic acid penetrates the skin to attack the blemish, while niacinamide keeps skin from becoming inflamed and protects the barrier of skin. Because that can dry out the skin, the brand also added two calming, soothing, and anti-inflammatory ingredients into the mix: Tea tree oil and centella asiatica. 

Pros: Microdarts; Infuses salicylic acid

Cons: Pricy; Doesn't stick 

While pimple patches come in all shapes and sizes, sometimes you just need to do a little DIY to craft the perfect acne fighting patch. Enter HANHOO. They give you a massive rectangular patch that you can cut to your liking and stick to your chin, cheek, or forehead. It does soak up pus and reduce inflammation, but you might be tempted to reapply more frequently than you like—they can be a little slippery. 

Pros: Customizable; Hydrocolloid 

Cons: Not infused with any ingredients; Not very sticky

If you're a regular acne patch user, you've likely experienced the somewhat inevitable downside of them. On occasion, you're left with dry, irritated skin where you placed the patch. The chemists behind this 72-pack however made the genius decision to counteract the drying effects of salicylic acid with soothing, hydrating hyaluronic acid. While these little guys are invisible on the skin, they're best saved for a nighttime treatment as they can't be layered under makeup or skincare. 

Pros: Contain salicylic acid; Hydrating 

Cons: Can't be worn under makeup 

We don't recommend popping your pimple (it can lead to scarring), but we also know it happens. And when it does, apply this drugstore patch, ASAP. The hydrocolloid sticker is going to provide the ideal healing environment, flatten your blemish in the quickest possible manner, and most importantly, prevent you from picking. I'm a fan of popping these on before bed—it's oddly satisfying to see how much fluid is absorbed by the time morning rolls around. 

Pros: Hydrocolloid; Invisible; Thin

Cons: Not medicated 

If you want the whole kit and caboodle, add this set to your cart. It comes with salicylic acid patches great for bringing pimples to a head, hydrocolloid dots that will soak up existing pus, and nose strips to help get rid of blackheads. The latter is going to be a 10 minute treatment, but feel free to leave the dots on for hours. They're invisible too, so you can wear them to work. 

Pros: Variety; Contains salicylic acid; Invisible

Cons: Expensive

Whether you're trying to prevent breakouts, calm existing pimples, or reduce the redness left behind by acne, Dr. Jart has you covered. Unlike other patches, these stickers are designed with little microdarts that infuse both hyaluronic acid and vitamin B3 right into the problem area. The prickly dots will melt onto the skin as soon as they're pressed down, and you should see some form of results within two hours. Just be aware: Your pimple isn't going to magically vanish—it takes time to fully heal. 

Pros: Microdarts; Infused with healing ingredients; Invisible  

Cons: Expensive 

If you typically find acne patches to be too intense, we challenge you to try these babies. They contain acne-fighting ingredients like salicylic acid and tea tree oil, but are still gentle enough for dry skin types. An added bonus? Jason Wu included a little bit of grape seed oil, which is an ingredient that can help prevent scarring and hyperpigmentation. The patches are also certified clean by Target, are cruelty free, and don't contain sulfates, parabens, or phthalates. 

Pros: Contains salicylic acid; Invisible 

Cons: Don't stick well on oily skin