Shop the pimple patches that will become part of your skincare routine
Updated
Supplied / Siena Hocking
Like many women, my skin is something I have always struggled with. In my early teens, I battled with acne on my face, back and chest, and so started on the Pill-and-antibiotics journey. My mum would smother me in a special – and very non-absorbent – sunscreen, leaving me smeared with the cakey white stuff for hours. Mortifying stuff as a 14-year-old.
The Skin Control Glossy Pimple Patches are my fave. Supplied
Now, fortunately, at 28, my skin has relaxed a little. But I still struggle with breakouts, particularly in the hormonal chin and neck areas. When it comes to a regimented skincare routine, I confess I'm a bit lazy. Mine often consists of just a handful of steps: cleansing, vitamin C, SPF, and moisturiser. Often, I'll endeavour to add in a new step: hyaluronic acid, retinol, exfoliant, but I struggle to make it stick.
That was until I was introduced to pimple patches. I can safely say that I'm addicted. I almost like it when I get a new spot because it means I can stick a little star over it. So fun? A friend of mine once asked why I had a holographic silver star stuck to my face – upon explaining what it was, she immediately ordered some online.
As with any of my hyper fixations, I've been leafing through packs of pimple patches to find the best for every need and occasion. These are a few of my faves.
NOTE: Prices are accurate at time of publishing.
Skin Control Pimple Patch Glossy Pack
Supplied / Skin Control
Starting off bold and fun with said silver stars is the Skin Control Pimple Patch Glossy Patch. Often, I don't wear much makeup in the day, and these holographic hearts and stars are a fun way of adding a little je ne sais quoi to the face. A little sparkle truly helps to distract from the tired bags under my eyes. Statement look aside, I've found they help cleanse pimples, absorb whiteheads, and reduce the appearance of redness and blemishes.
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo Plus M Unspot PatchesLa Roche-Posay Effaclar DUO +M Multi-Target Blemish Spot Pimple Patches
Supplied / La Roche Posay
The La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo Plus M Unspot Patches are made for people with sensitive skin. They create a reinforced barrier that absorbs excess oil, reducing redness and blemish size.
Starface Hydro-Star Pink Pimple Patches
Supplied / Starface
If you like the idea of a fun pimple patch, but are more colour-inclined, then Hydro-Star are the perfect option. Coming in four adorable shades of pink: Bubblegum, Jelly Bean, Cotton Candy, and Fruit Snack, they're perfectly shaped to grip the contours of the face and really stick. Not only do they shield spots from outside bacteria, but they serve as a pretty-in-pink reminder to avoid skin picking.
To make handbag admin easier, Starface also have refillable compacts with a mirror inside for easy on-the-go patch-ups. You'll need one in every colour!
Skin Control Pimple Patch Mixed AM & PM
Supplied / Skin Control
If you don't want to go about your day with something drawing attention to your face, I totally get it. For daytime, wearing the almost invisible AM patches means you can subtly help cover those pesky breakouts – even under makeup. And when it comes to bedtime, you can then opt for the extra-strength PM patches to rid them once and for all. The pack is the ultimate combo for spot-busting. They're also available at Priceline, so you can grab some whenever you're in a crisis.
Go-To Spot Stoppas
Supplied / Go-To
Cult-fave beauty brand Go-To recently announced that they were adding pimple patches to their product family, and of course, the internet went wild for them. In this pack are 44 barely-there patches that pack a punch in drawing out the gunk from your skin. Their translucency arguably makes them the best when it comes to layering your patches underneath makeup.
Skin Control Pimple Patch XL
Supplied / Skin Control
It seems that sometimes my days of back acne aren't over (which is great, obviously). If I've noticed a cluster of breakouts, I'll often stick one of the XL patches over them when I go to bed to help clear the area. This might be TMI, but I once had one of those annoying ingrown hair spots (I think) on my thigh. I was on a long-haul flight, so I slapped one of these on, and by the time I had landed, the patch had absorbed the blemish and eased soreness and redness. I was so impressed.
tbh Skincare patch it up - multi-size pimple patches
Supplied / Tbh
This generous 72-pack of pimple patches is the best for every spot-based scenario, whether it be size, depth or aesthetic. I've found that these patches are on the thicker side of things, which makes them best for nighttime wear. If you're someone like me who wriggles and wrestles with the doona in your sleep, rest assured, these won't budge. You can also pair with the tbh spot cleanser, spot cream, and moisturiser for the best chance of zapping your pimples.
tbh Skincare Pocket Patches
Supplied / Tbh
Tbh have also released a range of 'fun' Pocket Patches, which come in packs of 32 in a refillable case with a compact mirror. They have three styles: Party Princess, Pilates Princess, and Pop Princess. They all feature adorable little sticker shapes like clouds, shells, strawberries and hearts. Buy yourself a pack for just $24.95.
My pimple patch rotation. Supplied
Do pimple patches actually work?
Pimple patches work as a treatment for surface-level acne. The patches use hydrocolloid technology to absorb excess oil and fluid (pus), which creates a moist environment that aids healing, reduces inflammation, and serves as a barrier between the skin and outside bacteria.
Why does Gen Z wear pimple patches?
Gen Z wears pimple patches to help normalise acne. By taking a formerly embarrassing part of youth – and life! – the generation uses colourful and decorative stickers to make acne more 'fashionable' and playful. It has been popularised on TikTok, with content creators being more acne-positive and leaning towards "skinimalism".
Do I pop a pimple before a patch?
No, you shouldn't pop a pimple before applying a pimple patch. For best results, apply a patch to clean, dry skin before continuing the rest of your skincare routine. Applying a patch reduces the urge to pick at acne, which can lead to scarring.
How does Korean skincare clear acne?
Popular Korean skincare treatments focus on strengthening the skin barrier, gently exfoliating the skin, and calming inflammation and redness. Popular ingredients include Centella Asiatica, BHA (salicylic acid), non-comedogenic moisturisers, and snail mucin.
READ MORE: Repair you dry skin with these K-beauty cleansers
