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The best pimple patches, tested by people with blemish-prone skin
Stop that spot in its tracks and make a style statement at the same time
Tested by Maria KumarBeauty and Grooming Testing Manager
Gone are the days of frantically covering a newly erupted spot with 100 layers of concealer or even toothpaste. Instead, the best pimple patches are here to help accelerate the healing process, while preventing further breakouts.
Formulated with skin-nourishing ingredients, and made with ultra-thin material, you can choose between discreet designs that can be worn under makeup, or more playful options that are meant to be shown off.
Pimple patches have dramatically increased in popularity over recent years, so the Good Housekeeping Institute put them to the test with our panel to see how effective they are and which are the best buys. Here they are at a glance, with our full reviews below.
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We wanted to see whether these patches genuinely work, or if they're just another passing TikTok trend. So, we asked 150 panel members with blemish-prone skin to try out a range of pimple patches to see if they could really spot the difference.
Read their honest verdicts and keep scrolling for our buying tips and more detail on how we test.
Pros
- Didn't cause any irritation on test
- Sticks well to skin
Cons
- Some testers found them slightly fiddly
Score: 90/100
Korean skincare often sets the standard for beauty formulations and K-beauty brand Dots for Spots impressed on test with its subtle pimple patches. Our panellists were happy with the appearance of the ultra-thin, translucent patches, which seamlessly blended into their skin.
The discreet design means you can get away with wearing them during the day, but the brand actually recommends wearing them overnight for a longer treatment time. And it worked for our panellists. One person wore one to bed over a juicy, hormonal red spot, and by the time they woke up, it had vanished.
These hydrocolloid patches work by drawing out any pus to reduce the size of the spot and then further reduce inflammation and redness. Simply discard once the patch has turned white and go about your day...genius!
Pros
- Feels lightweight on the skin
- Cute designs to choose from
Cons
- Not discreet, which some may not like
Score: 90/100
Sharing the top spot for banishing blemishes are these Grace & Stella pimple patches. The overnight skin saviours targeted angry spots by either reducing them to a much calmer white head or eradicating them completely. Panel members also appreciated how well the patches stuck to skin, without tugging or falling off during the night.
Choose from cute cloud, heart or flower stickers – each patch is made of hydrocolloid material that absorbs excess moisture, salicylic acid to help clear your complexion and antibacterial tea tree oil to reduce spot formation.
Cetaphil 6-Hour Fast Clear Pimple Patch
Pros
- Didn't dry out skin
- Improved appearance of blemishes
Cons
- Excessive packaging
Score: 87/100
Why is it that the most obvious spots always start to brew just before an important event? Thankfully, these ultra-thin, fast-acting patches are designed to cover up and treat those annoying, attention-grabbing spots at the same time.
Like all Cetaphil products, these pimple patches are fragrance-free and non-comedogenic, so they won’t clog pores. None of our testers reported any redness or further inflammation during use, so they should be suitable for sensitive skin, too.
You can wear these clever patches under makeup while the salicylic-infused patches reduce spot-inducing sebum. “They were virtually invisible,” said one tester, while another said they were so discreet they forgot they were wearing them.
Purified Power Patch Skin Restore
Pros
- Adhere well
- Straightforward to use
Cons
- Some testers wished there were more patches in the box
Score: 85/100
While it may be tempting to squeeze that juicy-looking whitehead, we urge you to resist and place a Purified patch on it instead. Our testers found them extremely effective at drawing out blemishes, avoiding the temptation to pop them and potentially cause scarring.
Inside the hydrocolloid patches lie exfoliating salicylic acid, brightening niacinamide, and oil-regulating zinc hyaluronate, all working in harmony to soothe and clear your breakout.
Garnier Pure Active 8h Invisible Hydrocolloid Blemish Patch
Pros
- Feel secure and lightweight throughout treatment time
- Ideal for those who are blemish prone
Cons
- Tricky to peel from packaging
Score: 85/100
Another discreet patch for banishing blemishes, designed to work on all skin tones and types. Each pack offers two sizes, so you can treat larger surface areas when needed.
They draw out and absorb impurities, leaving the skin's surface flatter and smoother. Simply apply it after cleansing and leave on for up to nine hours. Most testers noticed a reduction in spot size, as well as a quicker healing time.
Pros
- High quality packaging
- Strong adhesion but still easy to remove
Cons
- Not as effective as others at preventing further breakouts
Score: 84/100
When you're travelling, it can be tricky to maintain your regular skincare regime, so we recommend popping these patches in your suitcase.
The thinnest of the brand’s three options, they have a matte finish to ensure they're extra discreet. Our testers loved this, with one noting they were barely visible. However, some felt they weren’t as effective at reducing redness as other patches they'd used. Overall, though, they still proved a solid choice for protecting against bacteria or picking.
Pros
- Long-lasting
- Reduced the appearance of blemishes
Cons
- Bold design might not be for everyone
Score: 83/100
Starface's patches weren't designed to be discreet. In fact, they are a popular accessory with many celebs (we see you, Anne Hathway and Florence Pugh). Not only do they get the thumbs up from A-listers, but they’re also derm-approved thanks to the line-up of skin-friendly ingredients.Underneath each brightly coloured patch is the hydrocolloid absorbing material, which helps to reduce irritation and accelerate the healing process by protecting the spot from external bacteria. The patches didn’t dry out our testers' skin, either, and one starry-eyed tester told us, “They’re cool to look at, and made me feel confident.”
As with anything a little more quirky, the colourful designs won't be for everyone but if you want a little extra star appeal, these are the ones for you.
The INKEY List Hydrocolloid Invisible Pimple Patch
Pros
- Effective at disguising spots
- Good at flattening whiteheads
Cons
- Tricky to peel off
Score: 83/100
The INKEY List is up-front with the hero ingredients of these patches; hydrocolloid and salicylic acid combine to absorb and unclog pores, succinic acid helps reduce redness, and ectoin provides long- lasting hydration.
The patches are made from a subtle, thin material, which gives a blurring effect to spots, leaving them practically undetectable. You won’t need to wear these ones for long either, as our testers found they worked effectively in just four hours. The only minor gripe was that the sheets were a little tricky to peel off.
How we test pimple patches
We recruited over 150 panellists with a range of skin concerns, including those with acne-prone skin, to try out the market-leading treatments over a two-week period. Each set of patches was assessed on its ease of application, ability to adhere to the skin, patch design, and ease of use.
Most importantly, panellists were also asked to provide detailed feedback on each patch's effectiveness at treating existing spots and blemishes, letting us know whether they reduced the size of spots, their appearance, as well as any redness and irritation. Testers also told us whether the patches dried out their skin.
Why trust the Good Housekeeping Institute?
We’ve been testing products at the Good Housekeeping Institute for over 100 years, including skincare launches, from the best day creams to the best retinol serums.
Our beauty and grooming testing manager, Maria Kumar, has worked as a formulation scientist for beauty brands, and has a diploma in cosmetic science, so knows what ingredients to look out for when it comes to reducing and preventing breakouts. She ensures strict protocols are put in place and adhered to for unbiased results. She also writes the detailed questionnaires our panellists fill out.
Our lifestyle writer, Madeleine Evans, then uses these results to create the most honest product reviews. She’s written about hundreds of the latest beauty buys and takes her skincare very seriously. She's also a fan of a bold pimple patch!
Do pimple patches work?
“Yes, but let’s be clear on how,” is the short answer from Mark Curry, scientist and co-founder of skincare brand, The INKEY List.
“Pimple patches aren’t a magic wand that make spots disappear overnight. What they do well is form a protective barrier. That means you’re less likely to pick or squeeze, and they help absorb excess oil and fluid from the blemish,” he says.
“The result? The spot tends to calm quicker and look less angry. So, they work best for surface-level, active pimples rather than deep, cystic acne,” he adds.
Many are also infused with skin-healing ingredients to help draw out spot-causing gunk and reduce redness and inflammation.
What key ingredients should I be looking for?
“As with all skincare, the key is knowing your skin type and tolerance,” says Curry.
But generally, these some key and common ones used in patches:
- Hydrocolloid: This is the material most pimple patches are made from. Used in many types of wound care dressing, its ultra-absorbing properties make it great at lifting excess oil and pus, and therefore flattening the spot area.
- Salicylic acid: Used in many skincare products to unclog pores, lift whiteheads and gently exfoliate the skin. It can also help flatten spots, quickly.
- Succinic acid: Regulates breakout-inducing excess oil without drying skin out. Its hydrating qualities are extra beneficial for use in targeted areas.
- Tea tree oil: Used in many skincare products thanks to its anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties, which work to reduce redness and prevent future breakouts.
How do pimple patches fit into a skincare routine?
Curry says that patches should be the support act in your skincare routine, rather than taking a lead role. “Think of them as a spot-on treatment, not an everyday layer,” he says.
“After cleansing and drying your skin, pop a patch directly onto the blemish. Then you can apply your regular serums, moisturiser, and SPF around it,” he adds.
“They’re brilliant to use overnight because you’re not touching your face, and some can also be worn during the day, with or without makeup.”
More Tried & Tested spot treatments
- The best spot treatments for clearer, healthier skin
- Best face washes for acne and blemish-prone skin
The verdict on pimple patches
Earning the joint top spot in our line-up, the Dots for Spots Blemish Patches quickly and discreetly eliminated pimples. Also coming out (joint) top, the Grace & Stella Hydrocolloid Patches won praise for how well they managed to clear blemishes, and the cloud and flower designs make them better for showing off.
Cetaphil’s 6-hour Pimple Patches are great for sensitive skin, as they're hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic. Plus, they’re ultra-thin and discreet, so you can wear them during the day, with or without makeup.
Alternatively, Starface’s Hydro Stars have a bold and bright design, and are tempting to wear as a cute accessory even when there’s not a spot in sight.
Madeleine is our Lifestyle Writer, specialising in expert-tested reviews and round-ups on the latest beauty Beauty and Health & Wellness products. From skincare to protein powders, Maddie is committed to providing honest and helpful reviews to help guide readers to the best product for them. Maddie has a BA in English Literature and Language, which stemmed from her lifelong interest in reading and writing. She started her post graduate life at Hearst UK within a marketing capacity, which quickly turned into a desire to fulfil a writing career.
When she is not writing about the latest expert reviewed products, you can find her rifling through vintage shops or car boots, reading a print magazine, or capturing portraits on her film camera.
Maria is our Beauty and Grooming Testing Manager, and since joining in mid-2022, she has managed the testing for mutiple categories including scalp scrubs, collagen supplements and retinol serums. In addition to her master's degree in chemical engineering and a diploma in cosmetic science, she recently received her MBA from the London College of Fashion, focusing on case studies within the beauty industry. Prior to joining the company, she worked within the global technical team at the Estee Lauder Companies for over six years, collaborating with the chemists and engineers to launch luxury beauty products at scale and to quality. She has also worked as a formulation scientist within the pharmaceutical industry and takes this evidence based approach into all her product testing.
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