We've rounded up the best pimple patches of 2024 to keep your skin smooth

31 January 2024 , 16:36

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Pimple patches use hydrocolloid to clear up zits (Image: RESTORED:)

Getting pimples is something that happens to most of us, and often at the least convenient times. Whether you've got a big date, you've got to get your photo taken or you were in need of a little confidence boost, spots tend to crop up when we least want them.

While it can be tempting to pick at them this often leads to it get worse and can cause scarring. A popular option for healing a spot fast, sometimes even overnight, is hydrocolloid patches.

Hydrocolloid patches have an inner layer that absorbs any fluid from the pimple, which you may see when you take it off, and the gel promotes healing while protecting the skin from infection. They can improve the appearance of pimples over night but there are so many on the market it can be hard to know where to start. Our Beauty team has tried and tested a range of them to let you know which ones we think are best.

RESTORED:

RESTORED: The Pimple Patches

While dealing with some breakouts over the span of a week I gave RESTORED: a try. I wasn't expecting much based on the limited reviews on the website and I found that initially they didn't really do a lot - but it's worth noting I was putting them on spots that hadn't fully come to the surface yet. It uses hydrocolloid and 1% salicylic acid to work on spots.

Once I started putting them on pimples that really needed attention I couldn't have been more impressed. I've found with some small spot patches that they have an okay grip for a short while but they may come off while you're sleeping and you'll wake up with them on your pillow. I wore these for a yoga class where I had to rest my face, where the patch was, on the floor multiple times and I worked up a sweat but they didn't budge once.

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I will say I prefer the yellow and pink toned patches more than the green and blue as they can be a little jarring but I was really impressed with how well they actually work. After a particularly tough break out that I should have left alone they had my skin looking back smooth and scar free within just a couple of days.

Unlike some of my other patches I don't mind wearing these out in public as they cover up your pimple with a cute design and you can't see through it - which is often the case if you use a hydrocolloid plaster. They're £9 for 20 patches which isn't the cheapest but they are good value for money.

Hey Bud

Hydrocolloid + Hemp Acne Patches

Hey Bud is an Australian brand that uses hemp seed oil in all of their products, this is because it's naturally high in essential fatty acids to repair the skin for long-term healing. The Blemish Buds also use Salicylic Acid to keep pores clean from excess oil while exfoliating dead skin cells and Niacinamide to strengthen the skin barrier by promoting elastin and ceramide production.

These patches come in two different sizes and each pack has 48 patches. I found the smaller patches to be slightly too small while the larger ones were great. These do exactly what they're supposed to although they don't have a cute design as you'd find with some other brands.

You can get 48 patches for £10 or 96 patches for £16 when ordering directly from Hey Bud and they offer a 90 day money back guarantee if you don't like them.

Starface

Starface Hydro-Stars Spot Stickers Kit (Starface)

Starface Hydro Stars are probably the best recognised spot patches on the market. They're definitely handy for when you're on the move since you can get this easy carry case that comes with a mirror and space for many patches so if you find yourself out and about while needing a patch you can easily add one to your face.

The design is cute and many people are comfortable wearing them in public but thanks to the star shape I personally find they don't have as good a grip as some of the others in this round up. It's £11.99 for the kit and then just £8.99 for 32 patches in a refill which isn't too bad - although you do have to pay a little extra if you want to include salicylic acid or the black design.

Zitsticka

Zitsticka Killa Deep Access Kit (Zitsticka)

Zitsticka are certainly not the cheapest brand in our round-up, with a pack of four costing £12, but if you feel a spot forming under your skin, popping one of these deep access stickers over it will, in my experience, nine times out of ten stop it from turning into a fully formed spot.

Each patch has tiny 'micro-darts' on the surface which are packed full of spot-busting ingredients including hyaluronic acid, niacinamide and salicylic acid, to target deep beneath the skin. When you stick them on you can feel the micro-needles going to work, and the patches have impressive sticking power so they won't budge even when worn overnight.

The kit also contains four cleansing patches infused with tea tree oil to clean the area before applying the patches and although I don't find these a must, they are a nice addition. I save mine for important occasions and use them sparely but think they are well worth it for peace of mind that when a spot starts to brew it can be dealt with quickly.

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You can also nab them on Amazon where a pack of 20 is £55 which is the most cost-effective method of stocking up and Prime members can get free next-day delivery for any breakout emergencies.

Jada Jones