9 Best Pimple Patches of 2024, According to Dermatologists

Dermatologists and estheticians alike rely on the Hero Cosmetics Mighty Patch for its pimple healing. Its hydrocolloid dots prompt quick results in about six to eight hours. Simply stick atop ready acne (a.k.a., it has a firm white head or has just popped), and the patch helps "draw out excess fluid and prevent you from picking at your pimples," says board-certified dermatologist Marisa Garshick, M.D., F.A.A.D. While ridding stubborn acne, the patch simultaneously quells inflammation, adds licensed esthetician Rianna Loving. Hero Cosmetics also has Mighty Patches for Nose Pores that target blackheads and whiteheads and an XL Mighty Patch Surface to tackle large areas like the cheek, forehead or back.

Another favorite among the skincare experts we tapped, the Peach Slices acne patches resolve pimples in as little as a few days. Not to mention, it comes with 60 dots (in three different sizes) for just $10. The brand's trio of targeted treatments cater to day-to-day blemishes, deeper acne and discoloration, says board-certified dermatologist Brendan Camp, M.D. One GH editor applied it in hopes of healing a prematurely popped pimple. To her amazement, it drastically curbed redness and irritation overnight.

When those particularly pesky breakouts require a stronger hand, the ZitSticka packs a swift blow. The treatment patch uses several teeny tiny micro-needles to deliver the one-two punch of exfoliating salicylic acid and hydrating hyaluronic acid deeper into skin. (Heads up: You may feel a slight prick when you apply.) "Once you wipe the area with the provided cleansing wipe, you apply the micro-needle patch onto the blemish," says Wnek, who calls the ZitSticka her favorite. "I leave it on my pimple overnight and find that it definitely helps treat and calm the spot when I wake up in the morning."

These acne patches from K-beauty brand COSRX (which we love for its snail mucin) come with a hydrocolloid dressing that can help reduce blemishes. Not only will the patch facilitate wound healing, but it will also protect the skin from picking and scratching, thus reducing the potential for acne scarring, says Dr. Garshick. Thanks to the pack's three sizes of small, medium and large dots, you can tackle all sorts of acne — big or small.

Peace Out goes beyond traditional pimple patches with their retinol-infused acne dots. These patches not only provide a quick fix for acne but also incorporate the benefits of retinol. The vitamin C derivative helps lighten hyperpigmentation and promote faster cell turnover for clearer pores. Plus, the patches are formulated with salicylic acid for enhanced acne-fighting benefits, while aloe vera leaf extract offers a gentle yet effective treatment for blemishes, per Dr. Camp. For larger blemishes, Peace Out Acne also offers jumbo-sized patches.

Winning a 2023 Beauty Award, this Band-Aid hydrocolloid patch impressed our pros and testers alike with its effective blemish banishing. It absorbs fluid around breakouts, forming a seal that helps affected areas heal. “These stayed put and deflated pimples and calmed redness overnight — no other patches come close,” according to one GH tester. Plus, our Lab data analysis confirmed that pimples showed a statistically significant reduction in size on day four post-treatment.

It's likely you've seen someone on the street wearing these starry pimple stickers. Rather than an invisible adhesive, these take the patch less traveled by embracing the statement accessory with confidence. "I like to wear these stylish patches during the day or night," praises Loving. "These are pimple patches you can wear to look and feel cute while still healing your skin." It's even conveniently packaged in a refillable yellow compact complete with a mirror inside.

Got a big meeting but woke up with a massive zit? Don't fret: These Rael Miracle Patches are nearly imperceptible when wearing them. Loving attests: "They are invisible, so no one can tell you are wearing a patch." That's all thanks to the hydrocolloid patch's clear, matte finish and extra thin outer edge that lays flat on skin. Best of all, it costs under $17 for a pack of nearly 100 covers. Just note that it takes a few days to totally squash a pimple, according to Loving.

Available in two dot sizes, these translucent patches from Peter Thomas Roth contain a combo of salicylic acid, hyaluronic acid (to prevent drying) and tea tree oil, which the brand claims tones skin. Dr. Garshick recommends it for reducing breakouts while tampering down excess irritation. One acne sufferer applied it on a blind pimple — these commonly flare up in oily skin types as zits that form under the skin (and don't have a visible whitehead or redness), causing pain and inflammation. "Overnight, this brings it to a head and gets rid of it so fast!" the online shopper says. "Usually, it would take a week or more for one of these breakouts to go away on its own, but with these, it speeds the process up so much!"