The Pimple Patches Worth the Hype According to Our Editors
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Ah, pimple patches, where were you when I was 15? My teenage self would've gone crazy for this super simple blemish treatment and with the plethora of patches available today, I probably could've saved myself from the discomfort of leaving toothpaste or reaching for the sudocream to dry out a zit.
Teenage me missed out, because now we're officially in our pimple patch era as searches for best pimple patches have risen over 180% in the past year and currently, there are over 154 million posts on TikTok about which spot-banishing product is the best for you. Gen Z are proving why we shouldn't be ashamed of acne, and dressing up their spots in star-shaped patches, thanks to Starface, or layering invisibly thin patches underneath their makeup looks, because the show must go on.
Pimple patches come in all shapes and sizes and all have the same goal — to get rid of your spots or put an end to pimple-picking for good. Unsure what a pimple patch is? It's basically a hydrocolloid plaster, which according to Skin Choice founder Seye Akinnaike, is a material made from a blend of polymers such as cellulose and pectin. He tells PS UK, "It's used to promote skin healing and is a convenient, easy-to-use solution for calming and reducing breakouts and blemishes.
"When a hydrocolloid patch or sticker is applied on skin, the edges seal, trapping the spot underneath, absorbing fluid and keeping the surrounding skin moist, the outer layer forms a protective seal to stop bacteria or debris from worsening the spot," he adds.
As the pimple patch market grows, Starface has launched its Hydro Star with Tea Tree, for some extra zit TLC, and COSRX has a whole collection of acne-busting patches in a range of sizes, from XS to XL, which means no matter what you're dealing with, there's a spot sticker for you.
If this sounds like something you need to add to your skincare arsenal immediately keep reading for our tried and test guide to the pimple patches actually worth buying and which one is best for your individual skin need.
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Skin Choice Breakout Patch
Best For: Blind pimples
"Skin Choice Breakout Patch (£14) was the first pimple patch I ever used, so my loyalty for this product runs deep, also because I think these patches are pretty great. I apply these to upcoming spots, you know the ones you can feel under your skin. These blind pimples can be really sore, but using the breakout patch means I won't have to worry about it in a few hours, as it soothes and calms the spot and keeps it from erupting. You get a whopping 75 patches from Skin Choice, which is so far the most I've seen from a single package and easily knocks it out of the park for me." –Lauren Gordon, Editorial Co-ordinator at PS UK
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AbsorbZit The Everyday
Best For: Invisibility
"AbsorbZit The Everyday (£13) patches are by far the most invisible pimple patches I've ever used. I honestly kept forgetting where I had placed it, that's how seamlessly it blends into the skin. It also comes in what I would call regular sized patches and even smaller ones, for mini pimples that can be just as annoying to treat. I used The Everyday patch on a particularly sore whitehead and found it drained and soothed within four hours, but for the low-to-no visibility alone. The Everyday gets my vote for one of the best pimple patches out there!" – LG
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Hero Cosmetics Surface Mighty Patch
Best For: Acne Clusters
Hero Cosmetics Mighty Patch Surface (£15) patches are my go-to if I can feel a breakout erupting. The XL patch covers larger surface areas, which is ideal for treating a cluster in one go. I'm not quite brave, or cool, enough to wear pimple patches throughout the day so for more it is all about results rather than appearance. I tend to apply in the evening after I've cleansed and allow my skin to soak up the treatment for at least eight hours, I also find this stops me touching them in my sleep or as I relax on the sofa." – Lauren Ezekiel, Associate Editor PS UK
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Starface Hydro Star + Tea Tree
Best For: Making your pimples look cute
"Over on the PS UK desk, we're all in agreement that the Starface pimple patches are very cute. We love the trend of putting them on your pimples and facing the day with them. Meeting friends? Pimple patch. First date? Pimple patch. Job interview? Ok, maybe keep the Starface patches for overnight. I've found that it's the longevity of the Starface Hydro Star Patches with Tea Tree (£11), and its adorable star-shaped design, that makes these popular. Wearing them overnight completely minimised my pimples, leaving nothing but a small remnant, which was peeled away with the sticker." – LG
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COSRX Clear Fit Master Patch
Best For: Minimal scarring
"COSRX is the K Beauty brand that brought glass skin and snail mucin to the UK, so it comes as no surprise that its leading the race for pimple patches that leave minimal scarring. There is a range of patches to choose from and you can get up to 36 patches per package, depending on the collection. I used the Clear Fit Master Patch (£7) and found it to be incredibly thin and it didn't dry my skin out while sorting my spot, which helped to minimise scarring during removal. However, I would take its claim to be invisible under makeup with a pinch of salt – the patches are thin, but not that thin." – LG
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Lauren Gordon is the editorial coordinator at PS UK, where she creates lifestyle and identity content. Lauren has a degree in journalism from University of the Arts London and previously worked as a showbiz and TV reporter at The Mirror US. Lauren specialises in pop culture, hair and beauty, focusing on trends, sharing in-depth tutorials, and highlighting hidden gems in the beauty industry.