These particular acne patches can be found in Boots, Beautybay and Cultbeauty. This is a more pricey option. However, these are clear spot patches that work because they contain salicylic acid, aloe vera and retinol, which you cannot go wrong with. Remember that most if not all spot patches work best on freshly squeezed pimples, and sometimes on spots that have formed a whitehead. It is always best to apply them after your cleansing routine. You can apply the spot patch after or before moisturising, this all comes down to personal preference.

Acne pimple patches do work, but “they all function a little bit differently based on their active ingredients,” says Dr. Robinson. “Overall, they contain a combination of inflammation-reducing properties, such as hydrocolloid and niacinamide, alongside bacteria-reducing ingredients like benzoyl peroxide and tea tree oil.” She’s also a fan of exfoliating actives, like salicylic acid and glycolic acid, which can dissolve the gunk clogging pores. Contrary to popular belief, the white stuff you find on a used pimple patch isn’t necessarily pus. Instead, “it’s hydrated hydrocolloid, which absorbs moisture surrounding the pimple to form this gel that creates an optimal healing environment,” says Dr. Robinson. “It’s smothering the lesion with ingredients that target the inflammation and bacteria — helping it to ‘dry out’ and heal faster.”Another classic with a cult following is these particular COSRX pimple patches. It is well-loved because this is one of those clear spot patches that is guaranteed to remove all the gunk from your spot and flatten it completely. These are also clear spot patches making them perfect to wear during the day. You can find these spot patches in most UK online retailers such as LOOKFANTASTIC or Beautybay. For in-store options, you’ll find these acne patches at Superdrug. There’s a reason these acne dots are loved by dermatologists. For starters, “these patches contain salicylic acid, a well known ingredient to treat acne,” says Dr. Heather Woolery-Lloyd, a dermatologist in Miami. “In a study, users reported their acne was less red in six hours.” Salicylic acid is an effective acne-treatment ingredient, aloe vera will soothe the pimple and retinol is great for pimples because it kills acne-causing bacteria. For make-up wearers, this spot patch is for you due to how thin and clear it is. Yes, dermatologists are big fans of pimple patches. “These are one of my favorite additions to skincare over the past few years,” says Dr. Robinson. “I love them because they are therapeutic and have real impact on speeding up the healing of pimples.” IPC has been shown to have anti-bacterial activity against C. acnes, performing much better than other acne actives. C. acnes is a bacteria that is naturally part of the microbiome on the skin, and excessive levels are thought to contribute to the formation of blemishes and redness. In the lab, it was also shown to prevent the release of a certain receptor that causes inflammation in acne-prone skin that leads to redness, pore congestion, lipid oxidation and more spots.

In fact, they can replace the work (and risk) of popping a pimple that has come to a head. “One of the benefits of pimple patches is that they work by absorbing moisture, oil, and bacteria from deep within the pimple, while keeping the area clean and preventing bacteria from entering the blemish with a protective layer,” she explains. That’s a better alternative to using your fingers and possibly introducing bacteria to the mix. The Mighty Patch is especially helpful if you’re prone to acne scarring, which can be tough to treat without the help of a dermatologist. “A bonus of this patch is that it helps to reduce acne scarring as well as getting rid of pimples,” says Dr. Engelman. Finally, they also have a matte finish, so they’re barely noticeable if you accidentally (or intentionally) wear them out. SIG1459 or as we shortened it, IPC, was developed by Princeton University using innovation and a technology platform at the forefront of scientific development. Like us, they realised that some traditional spot-treating ingredients, like Benzoyl Peroxide, can be fairly harsh on some skin types and cause side effects such as dryness, irritation, flakiness, and peeling. It has been clinically proven, and laboratory tested with the results published in a peer-reviewed journal to ensure that there is no bias in the data, and it really is as good as they say! The Beauty Pie Emergency Pimple patches have microdarts to help penetrate its acne-fighting ingredients into your skin for faster and more effective treatment. Out of all the spot patches listed here, this one is the most underrated. These patches contain salicylic acid which will help eliminate the bacteria that cause acne and unclog your pores. Of all the spot patches listed here, this is the most expensive. However, this is one of the spot patches that work. This is because it has niacinamide, salicylic acid and hyaluronic acid – the best acne-fighting ingredients. You only need to have it on for 2 hours and it makes a difference to the size of your pimple.

This blemish treatment is an easy product to be slotted into your routine. It can be used every day straightaway and used morning and/or night. We advise using it in the evening after cleansing- apply a thin layer over the affected area (it doesn’t need to be used all over the face). Wait for it to absorb, and then apply moisturisers or serums on top. However, if you are brave enough you surely could go out with these on during the day. Starface also sells a cute bright yellow case to store the pimple patches, making it very travel-friendly. You can find these spot patches at your local Boots, Superdrug or other UK online retailers such as Beautybay. In a clinical study over 8 weeks, 1% IPC (the same level used in our treatment) was tested against a plain vehicle cream (containing no actives) and a 3% Benzoyl Peroxide (BPO) cream. IPC outperformed BPO in reducing the appearance and number of blemishes, with a really significant difference over BPO at 8 weeks. This shows that it continues to work with continued usage, and the skin will only see more and more improvement! Also contributing to the gentle nature of these dots: The salicylic acid is encapsulated, which offers twofold benefits. For one, the salicylic acid is better able to sink into skin and work its magic; at the same time, the encapsulation protects the skin barrier to minimize dryness. Last but not least, you'll also get the benefits of retinol, which helps speed up skin cell turnover to keep skin clear in the long term.