Let’s talk pimple patches! Zit stickers! Blemish bubbles! Spot dots!
If you have no idea what they are, they’re basically pimple-fighting bandaids that come in a variety of shapes and sizes. You’ve likely seen them on your cool little cousin’s face via Instagram story.
I like them a lot because when I wear them, I don’t pick at spots on my face, which I’m prone to doing–thereby avoiding a large ugly scab!
If you’re anything like me (a 26 year old who still gets acne) then at some point you’ve probably tried them out. You were standing in line at Sephora or Urban Outfitters and saw pimple patches in the impulse buys and thought, “eh…what hell?”
Then you went home and after a few days of sticking shit to your face, were like wtf this doesn’t work.
However, if you’re actually insane like me, you’ve wasted a shit ton of money tried so many of them you now know what DOES work and want to share the wealth.
You’re welcome.
COSRX Acne Pimple Master Patch
These were the first pimple patches I ever tried because my actual goddess Rio Viera-Newton said they were good and her word is typically bible. These are good for sucking the gross stuff out of a mostly surface level pimple. They do best on a flat space like a forehead, front of the chin or cheek. They come in a variety of sizes but they aren’t very flexible and if you have a zit that’s on an angular part or anything curved, it’s not going to stay put.
Peace Out Acne Healing Dots
While these are awkward size wise (they only come in one size), I find that they tend to stick to the contours of your face better than some others. While these aren’t my first choice for cystic spots (deep, painful ones that won’t pop) these are pretty good at reducing inflammation. Plus, they’re sold at Sephora so you don’t have to bother with online ordering bullshit.
Acropass Trouble Cure Patch
If you suffer from the occasional cystic, painful, deep, never popping pimple…. These are the fucking BEST!!!!!! They are outfitted with little “needles” (not actual needles, it’s like little pointy edges) that penetrate your spots, allowing the acne medicine to go deeper into the afflicted area. I slap this puppy on right when I feel trouble emerging and seriously it’s better in like a day or two. Reduces redness, size, pain…everything. I would NOT use this on a white head or a more surface level pimple because it can be drying to the area/over kill.
The only annoying thing about Acropass is that I can really only find it on SokoGlam or very occasionally at Riley Rose (in store and online) so it’s smart to have a back stock of these otherwise you’re going to pay that $$$$ overnight shipping.
Mighty Patch
BIG fan of Mighty Patch. BIG fan. You can get these in a bunch of sizes and they even sell sheets now so you can cut them yourself if you desire a particular shape. They are soooo thin and invisible you can wear them under makeup if you want or just out alone and people will really have to squint really hard at your face to see where you have one on. They’re not super effective on deep spots, but they WILL work on most things from white heads to like proper pimples that you think will pop by E.O.D.
Starface
Cutest packaging award goes to Starface. Starface was created by Julie Schott aka who I wish I was on Instagram/in life. These little yellow star pimple patches are so friendly looking you can’t help but look forward to getting a spot so you can slap one on. They’re thin and their star shape makes them adhere easily to any contour on your face and stay put. What I REALLY like about these is how hydrating they are. I’ll be honest, they don’t do much in the reducing inflammation department but they will hydrate your spot if you’ve been picking at it or if whatever you’ve been using to combat it is drying you out.
I think they’re super adorable and wear them out into the world. However, both Kate and I have separately done this and different people have told us “Oh…you have a little mustard on your face.”
ANYWAY
If you’ve never tried a pimple patch before and you have acne (or a spot), consider it. They’re way better looking than that gross clay stuff that’s supposed to dry it out but never works. Promise.
xx