Everyday we see new products in the skincare world: serums, spot treatments, creams and pretty much every other formula you can think of. Ingredients change, formulations develop, but the product types themselves have generally been on repeat for quite some time now; until pimple patches, that is. Pimple patches have become widely available in the last ten years, providing a very different option for tackling acne: little sticker-like patches you place over individual pimples to calm, and hopefully treat, them. But do they work? Have you found yourself overwhelmed by the brands, shapes, ingredient lists, and claims they come with?
If you’re nodding as you read this, then you’ve come to the right place! I’ve trialled seven of the most popular pimple patches in Australia to compare and review them.
But first, a little background info.
How Do Pimple Patches Work?
The primary purpose of most pimple patches is to create a moist environment to help heal pimples. This is because most of them are made from hydrocolloid material, which are long-chain polymers, like polysaccharides or proteins, that can absorb water and form a gel. Pimple patches can work on absorbing pus, reducing inflammation, and speeding up healing. Meanwhile, pimple patches can also act as a protective barrier, keeping the area clean and preventing further irritation, which can also prevent touching pimples accidentally — protecting them from the bacteria on our hands.
There are three basic types of pimple patches when we categorise them by the ingredient — hydrogel, acrylic and silicone.
How to choose the right pimple patch for you
According to dermatologist Orit Markowitz, choosing the right pimple patch will depend on your skin type. Some patches may reduce inflammation, particularly for red and swollen pimples near the surface, but they may not work for all types of pimples. Some pimple patches also have added acne-fighting ingredients to speed up healing. Common ingredients are salicylic acid, tea tree oil, benzoyl peroxide, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide.
If you’re stuck on which pimple patches are right for you, read through my reviews to help you decide.
Skin Control Pimple Patch PM
Pack: 24 | Price: $7 | Size: large | Rating ★★★★½
As one of the most common and easily accessible pimple patches in Australia, Skin Control Pimple Patches are easy to find in pharmacies and supermarkets. Plus, Coles and Woolworths often offer 50% off! I would highly recommend these overnight wear patches because they are the largest and thickest patches I’ve ever used, making them the most suitable for my inflamed pimples.
These overnight patches contain tea tree oil, which can help to dry out pimples and reduce inflammation, but it also may irritate sensitive skin. I’d recommend these for people who don’t react to tea tree oil and have large, stubborn pimples.
Skin Control Pimple Patch Party Pack
Pack: 36 | Price: $9 | Size: small | Rating ★★★★
These cute pimple patches are also by Skin Control. Similarly to the PM patches, the Party Pack patches are also thick while containing salicylic acid, so if you’re sensitive or allergic to salicylic acid, you should avoid them. The Party Pack includes star, happy face, flower, heart, lip, and rainbow-shaped patches — making them far more unique than most circular, rather boring, patches.
I’ve used these a few times during the day, but due to their irregular shape, they tend to fall off in oily areas like the chin and nose. So I think they’re more suitable for dry skin, or areas with less oil, such as the cheeks. I really love the heart-shaped patch, which is bigger than the others. Most normal patches lose their ‘invisible’ look once they draw out pus from the pimples, but because these ones are coloured, you can’t really see what they draw out when they’re sitting on your face. When I use the heart patch on my face, I always match the pink colour to my outfit. It helps bring a little joy to an otherwise rather dull thing.
Hero Mighty Patch
Pack: 24 | Price: $13 | Size: small | Rating ★★★
The Hero Mighty Patch is a hydrogel adhesive patch that doesn’t contain any additional acne-fighting ingredients, meaning it might be the best choice for sensitive skin. The thickness of the patch is nearly the same as the Skin Control pimple patch, but the surface area is smaller, which may not be suitable for large or very inflamed pimples.
These patches would be good for travel, because they offer a small, travel-size pack, which is super convenient when working with limited luggage, and saves you having to count and cut up larger packs. But if these were just for home use, I wouldn’t repurchase them.
Benzac Power Patch
Pack: 24 | Price: $17 | Size: mixed | Rating ★★★½
Unlike the previous pimple patches, Benzac Power Patches feature an acrylic adhesive, which is incredibly thin and almost invisible, with a matte texture that feels smooth to the touch, making them super discreet. Their unique design comes in a mix of different-sized patches, so it’s easy to find the right size for the pimple you’re targeting. The largest patch in the Benzac pack is almost the same size as the Skin Control PM patches.
Nexcare Acne Patch
Pack: 18 | Price: $8 | Size: medium | Rating ★★★★½
Nexcare Acne Patches are my favourite pimple patches, made primarily from 3M hydrocolloid material. The only downside of these is that they’re not easy to find at the chemist — they’re always out of stock! This patch also has a matte look, and is quite thin when compared to other hydrogel adhesive patches. The edges are designed to be much thinner than the middle, making them blend nicely into the skin. They don’t contain additional anti-redness or anti-inflammatory ingredients, but I find that they still work really well at helping the healing process. These pimple patches stay all day on my face, even on the t-zone. Comparing this brand with others, those with combination or oily skin won’t have to worry about them falling off due to excess oil.
COSRX Acne Pimple Master Patch
Pack: 36 | Price: $15 | Size: small | Rating ★★★½
COSRX is a Korean brand widely available in many Australian beauty stores; I bought the COSRX Acne Pimple Master Patches at W Cosmetics. These are also hydrogel patches that include tea tree oil and hyaluronic acid, which help reduce redness, speed up healing, and keep the hydrogel environment from drying out too much. The patches are also thicker in the middle and thinner at the edges, making them easier to apply than many round patches — almost like a mini band-aid. However, due to their oval shape, I found that they were better suited to smaller pimples.
Mecca Max Spot Dots
Pack: 36 | Price: $26 | Size: medium | Rating ★★
Mecca Max makes two types of pimple patches, the one I tried was the hydrocolloid pimple patch. When you look at the ingredients, you’ll notice they’re strikingly similar to the COSRX patches mentioned above. The main differences are that they are different shapes and sizes, and Mecca’s doesn’t include tea tree oil or hyaluronic acid. Interestingly, I found out that this patch is also made in Korea! To be honest, these didn’t make much of a difference for me. However, if you can’t find the COSRX pimple patches, Mecca could be a good alternative, especially for larger pimples.
After trying various pimple patches, it’s clear that not all are created equal. While some offer added ingredients like tea tree oil or salicylic acid to target acne and inflammation, others are made up of a simple hydrocolloid formula for healing. Choosing the right patch for you comes down to personal skin type, patch size, and extra features like oil control and hydration.
For my combination and oily skin, I found that thicker patches with secure edges work best to stay in place, especially in oily areas. However, patches with additional ingredients may not suit sensitive skin, so it’s important to consider what works for you.
Price-wise, there are significant differences between brands. But when the key ingredients are similar or they’re made similarly (such as COSRX and Mecca), why not pick the cheaper option? And shop around for a discount where you can — those sold at the chemist can often be found quite cheap!
