What was life before pimple patches? Whether used at the first sign of a brewing zit or to deflate a stubborn, angry one in the middle of your forehead, pimple patches are a pop-free way to get the gunk out of a blemish so it quickly shrinks in size. The latest crop of hydrocolloid pimple patches are more advanced than the OG ones, feature anti-pimple ingredients like salicylic acid and niacinamide, and are cute enough to sport during the day to class.
For Deep Rooted Pimples
You know those zits you can feel coming on but can’t see them because they haven't surfaced yet? While those early-stage pimples may be super annoying, you can treat them with Avarelle Multi-Dart Microneedle Pimple Patches. Ideal for tackling breakouts before they fully erupt, these innovative patches feature cone-shaped microneedles to deliver acne-fighting ingredients such as tea tree, cica and niacinamide deep within the skin. Wear one patch at night until the pimple resolves. $17, amazon.com
To Lift Out Blackheads
Not all pimples are the same. Some, like blackheads, don’t come to a head. Instead, they grow larger as dirt, oil and dead skin buildup within the pores. While it’s never advised to squeeze out the contents of a blackhead, a gentle blackhead remover such as Rael Miracle Patch 3-Step Pore Melting Pack helps soften them. These non-skin damaging strips rely on a combination of peppermint and Jeju mugwort extract to dissolve blackheads and minimize the look of enlarged pores. Place the Melting Sheet over the nose, leave it on for 10 minutes, remove any remaining impurities with the enclosed sebum-clearing cotton swabs, and finish with the Soothing Sheet. $16, target.com
For Fast Relief
Athena Club’s Zit Delete Healing Dots may be small, but what they lack in size, they make up in efficacy. These pimple patches, ideal for deep-rooted blemishes, help to reduce inflammation-related redness and irritation thanks to a powerful blend of hyaluronic acid, niacinamide and ferulic acid for results you can see in just six hours. $13, athenaclub.com
As Good as A Trip to the Dermatologist
From the brand that brought you the viral influencer mirror comes the Riki Love Riki Miracle LED Patch. These FDA-cleared reusable silicone patches differ from the typical pimple patch since they rely on blue and red light therapy to heal breakouts. Apply the adhesive strip over the pimple, connect the batter to the silicone patch, attach the patch to the strip, and turn on the LED lights. After six minutes, the spot will receive a dose of LED light to shrink it without drying out the skin. $125, Nordstrom.com
For Those Extra Big Pimples
Extra large pimples call for Star Face XL Big Star, which is wider to cover more surface area while shrinking large zits. Made with 100% hydrocolloid, these cute star patches reduce inflammation and shrink spots overnight. Wear the stay-put-patches for at least six hours for the patch to work its magic and absorb fluid from within the acne lesion. $12.99, starface.com
By Elise Tabin