The best pimple patches and acne stickers to clear spots and blemishes overnight
Pimple patches have seen a huge surge in popularity of late, having originally arisen as a Korean beauty trend. And their resurgence comes as no surprise. While zits, pimples, blackheads and the sort are all perfectly normal and we encourage you to embrace them if you so wish, equally, you won't find us blaming you if you wanted to deal with them quickly and effectively, especially if you have a big event coming up on your social calendar.
Thankfully, acne patches – or spot stickers, as they're sometimes otherwise referred to – are an easy and fuss-free way to treat the spots, acne and blemishes that arise at the absolute worst time. Y'know, the night before you're about to give a big presentation at work or if you're set to slip on your wedding guest dress for your bestie's vows. And this is where the innovation of K-beauty comes in.
Best pimple patches at a glance – our top picks:
- Best pimple patches overall: Emergency Pimple Patches, £30, Beauty Pie
- Best soothing pimple patches: Dots for Spots Acne Patches, £6.99, Amazon
- Best pimple patches for blemish-prone skin: Pathology Breakout Box 3-in-1 Acne Treatment Kit, £18, Cult Beauty
- Best discrete pimple patches: Sarah Chapman Skinesis Spot SOS Sticker, £28, LookFantastic
Do pimple patches really work?
The short answer is yes, And they work quickly. Rather than dry spots out like many other fast-acting acne treatments, pimple patches are usually hydrocolloid bandages, which means they absorb fluid from a spot and help reduce inflammation. They're usually see-through, which means you can see the drama unfold in the mirror (they turn white as they work to absorb the pus and flatten out your spot). And the best part is that the thinnest and most discrete of hydrocolloid patches could actually be worn during the day. No wonder they’ve become a dermatologist-approved bathroom cabinet staple.
And there's another major bonus: acne stickers do a great job at stopping you from picking or squeezing your blemish, preventing the transfer of bacteria and acting as an extra layer of protection for your skin.
Facialist Sarah Chapman says, “Hydrocolloid pimple patches are hygienic – they stick to your skin and create a shield from other irritants like daily dirt and pollution. Used on spots, they also calm redness and irritation, encouraging the skin to heal.”
But what about if you've already picked a pimple and you've been left with a weeping wound? Fret not, we've all been there. Adding a drop of tea tree oil to the acne spot and then covering it with a pimple patch works miracles. It stops it from scabbing over and helps prevent any acne scars. Not an excuse to keep picking, but this can help when you’re left with a bit of a situation. For early-stage pimples, you can dab on some aloe vera, which is known not only for its hydrating properties, but for its soothing and anti-bacterial abilities as an acne-fighting ingredient too.
But which is the best option for you? That's the question. To help you make the right choice, we've put together a full edit of all the best acne patches available to buy now. We've made sure to include a wide variety of options to suit all skin types, budgets and personal preferences. Hopefully you won't need them, but it definitely won't hurt having them around just in case.
In the mood to upgrade your skincare routine? Check out our guides for the best eye creams, hyaluronic acid serums, vitamin C serums, retinol serums, face cleansers, face toners and face SPFs. We can also help you pick the best moisturiser and lotion, the best moisturiser for dry skin and the best moisturiser for combination skin.
For more from Glamour UK Commerce Writer Sophie Cockett, follow her on Instagram @sophiecockettx. And for more shoppable makeup, skincare, haircare and wellness content from Glamour UK Commerce Writer Denise Primbet, follow her on Twitter @deniseprimbet and Instagram @deniseprimbet.
Here's our full edit of the best pimple patches, spot stickers and acne patches to add to your skincare arsenal immediately…
Best pimple patches overall
Emergency Pimple Patches, £30, Beauty Pie
Why we love it: Suitable for all skin types, these emergency pimple patches contain salicylic acid, madecassoside and niacinamide, which help target spots and breakouts. Each bestseller pack comes with 16 patches, which is perfect for keeping by your side at all times.
Looking to save on the best pimple patches? Check out these Beauty Pie discount codes.
Best pimple patches for redness
COSRX Acne Pimple Master Patch, WAS £6 NOW £4.80, LookFantastic
Why we love it: Have a spot that needs dealing with ahead of a big day? These pimple patches eliminate redness and inflammation overnight. And the best part is that you can even wear them underneath your foundation.
Make sure to check out these LookFantastic discount codes.
Best soothing pimple patches
Dots for Spots Acne Patches, £6.99, Amazon
Why we love it: These soothing pimple patches are vegan, non-irritating and fragrance-free. Not only that, but they're also proven to help rid you of pesky pimples within just 6 hours. Not bad, huh?
Enjoy extra savings when shopping for the best pimple patches using these Amazon discount codes.
Best clarifying pimple patches
Zitsticka Goo Getter, £18, Beauty Pie
Why we love it: When it comes to absorbing impurities and smoothing over blemishes, there's not many better than Zitsticka. These pimple patches come with vitamin C and salicylic acid, which brighten your dark spots and remove dead skin cells. For more serious cases of acne, you can also check out the popular Zitsticka Killa kit.
Looking to save on the best pimple patches? Check out these Beauty Pie discount codes.
Best pimple patches for preventing scarring
Starface Hydro-Stars, £11.99, Boots
Why we love it: Picking you a pimple can lead to scarring. Thankfully, these patches prevent this from happening by shielding your irritated skin from external factors as well as scratching fingers. Each patch contains hydrocolloid, which is clinically proven to improve the appearance of pimples overnight.
Best purifying pimple patches
Peace Out Acne Dots, £17, Cult Beauty
Why we love it: Say goodbye to unwanted dark spots and blemishes and hello to softer, more even-looking skin. The Peace Out Acne healing dots are particularly effective thanks to a blend of potent ingredients and bacteria-blocking hydrocolloid polymer technology to help clear spots before they can get too unruly.
Save more when shopping for the best pimple patches using these Cult Beauty discount codes.
Best pimple patches for blemish-prone skin
Pathology Breakout Box 3-in-1 Acne Treatment Kit, £18, Cult Beauty
Why we love it: Formulated with bacteria-banishing, anti-inflammatory ingredients, this set of blemish patches is guaranteed to help heal unwelcome eruptions and clear congested pores in a matter of hours. Each pack comes with different sizes of spot treatments too, depending on your needs. What more could you want?
Save more when shopping for the best pimple patches using these Cult Beauty discount codes.
Best pimple patches for early-stage pimples
Mighty Patch Micropoint for Blemishes, £19.99, Amazon
Why we love it: Got an early-stage zit and need it gone? Say no more. These overnight pimple patches are loaded with micropoints (also known as microdarts or microneedles), which allow it to penetrate your skin and deliver active ingredients such as salicylic acid, totarol, beta glucan and hyaluronic acid deeply into your epidermis.
Enjoy extra savings when shopping for the best pimple patches using these Amazon discount codes.
Best pimple patches for sensitive skin
Holika Holika AC MILD Red Spot Patch, £6.50, LookFantastic
Why we love it: Worried about your oily and sensitive-prone skin? Not a problem. These gentle pimple patches feature soothing components that moisturise and nourish the skin while also providing antiseptic, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects to alleviate redness and sensitivity.
Make sure to check out these LookFantastic discount codes.
Best discrete pimple patches
Sarah Chapman Skinesis Spot SOS Sticker, £28, LookFantastic
Why we love it: Adorable shaped pimple patches are great, but sometimes you're in a rush and want to cover up a zit discretely. And that's where this set comes in. Powered by salicylic acid and infused with vitamins, this product is subtle and undetectable, allowing you to freely wear it during the day.
Make sure to check out these LookFantastic discount codes.
Best pimple patch for dark spots
Nip + Fab Salicylic Fix Spot Patches, WAS £10.93 NOW £7.66, Amazon
Why we love it: Stopping breakouts dead in their tracks has never been easier. If you're looking to achieve a clearer and balanced complexion, these patches with tea tree and salicylic acid are perfect for deeply cleansing and exfoliating your skin, ridding you of dark spots, blemishes and other hyperpigmentations.
Enjoy extra savings when shopping for the best pimple patches using these Amazon discount codes.
Best pimple patches for oily skin
COSRX Master Patch Intensive, £26, Cult Beauty
Why we love it: Oily skin often results in clogged pores, which is a breeding ground for zits and blackheads. Thankfully, these patches work to suck up all the ‘gunk’ by absorbing excess sebum and clearing out angry inflammations before they can get out of control.
Save more when shopping for the best pimple patches using these Cult Beauty discount codes.
Best vegan pimple patches
Nature Spell Clear My Spots Pimple Patches, £7, Sephora
Why we love it: Designed to camouflage and heal whiteheads and pimples, this affordable set of 36 patches is ideal for removing dirt and excess oils. Each patch forms a protective barrier for your skin, preventing from picking on it, which accelerates the healing process. Did we mention that they're vegan and cruelty-free too?
