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Do you have that one stubborn pimple that won’t go away, regardless of how many patches you throw on it? No, you’re not doomed forever. According to an esthetician, the truth is that you’re probably overusing acne patches.
“I absolutely think pimple patches are being overused right now. They’ve become very trendy and visible on social media, so people are using them on every blemish type, not just the ones they’re designed for,” Kira Igbowu, licensed esthetician and founder of Full Frontal Beauty in Brooklyn, told E!.
It’s tragic for people who use these pimple patches as emotional support (guilty). But just like everything when it comes to skincare, the key is using products in moderation—including trending TikTok-viral ones.
Using these patches every single night or leaving them on for longer than overnight can have consequences that feel like the solution is more patches. Even this beauty writer was tricked by this, until Igobwu got a look at my face and asked: “Do you use pimple patches?”
For her, who has decades of experience in the beauty industry and now treats clients’ skin every day, the problem was clear as day.
“Most patches are intended for superficial, fluid-filled breakouts — not deep, cystic, or early inflammatory acne. When used incorrectly, they can delay proper treatment and give a false sense that the acne is being ‘treated’ when it’s really just being covered,” she said.
She gave us the full breakdown (or breakout) on the right way to use these tools, alternatives, and more tips and tricks.
What Are the Side Effects of Overusing Pimple Patches?
“Overuse can lead to skin irritation, barrier disruption, and sometimes maceration, where the skin becomes overly moist and fragile under the patch,” Igbowu said. She’s also seen clients repeatedly applying patches to the same spot, which can increase redness and hyperpigmentation—especially on melanated skin.
The other issue is less physical and more behavioral, according to Igbowu. “People rely on patches instead of addressing root causes like congestion, product buildup, hormones, or improper exfoliation,” she said.
How Do You Recommend Clients Use Pimple Patches?
Igbowu recommends using pimple patches as a protective barrier during the day, especially when you can’t help but touch the spot, or you’re wearing makeup. “They’re great for shielding a lesion from friction and bacteria,” she told E!. “However, they shouldn’t be worn continuously. At some point, the skin needs exposure to air and oxygen to properly move through the healing process.”
She’s very strict against using them for a full day or every single night in the same spot. “Use them strategically,” she said. Then, allow your skin time to breathe and fully recover.
What Types of Pimple Patches Do You Recommend? What Should People Avoid?
In general, Igbowu recommends sticking to simple patches without heavy fragrance or irritants—especially if your skin is on the sensitive side.
“Some patches include helpful actives like salicylic acid, tea tree, or centella, which can be beneficial for certain skin types but irritating for others,” she said. Make sure to know which ingredients are irritating to your skin before fully committing. But if you’re unsure, stick to products that only contain hydrocolloid. “Simpler is often safer for sensitive skin.”
As for what to avoid, the esthetician told us to stay far away from fragranced patches, strong essential oils, or strong medicated formulas for frequent use. “These can cause irritation or dryness when overused,” she said.
Below are some pimple patches that fit her recommendations:
Editor’s Pick
Mighty Patch Invisible+ Patch
A classic, the lightweight invincible version of the Mighty Patch promises to heal your spots and blend into your skin with only hydrocolloid.
Blume Buds Power Patches for Acne-Prone Skin
These flower-shaped patches from Blume aren’t just cute, they’re also good for your skin with their formula of plant-based hydrocolloid and a spark of salicylic acid.
REMEDY For Pimples Hydrocolloid Pimple Patches
These nearly invisible patches are made from medical-grade hydrocolloid, and they’re formulated by TikTok-viral dermatologist Dr. Muneeb Shah.
Peach Slices Acne Spot Dots
These K-Beauty patches promise not to dry your skin out while tackling your breakout and staying put with their one-ingredient formula of medical-grade hydrocolloid.
What Can People Use Instead of Pimple Patches?
While pimple patches aren’t bad when used in moderation, these little spots aren’t the only option to treat breakouts. Igbowu told us the answer depends on the type of breakout. “For early or deeper acne, targeted leave-on treatments work better,” she said. These treatments or serums have powerhouse ingredients like salicylic acid, sulfur, or benzoyl peroxide (when appropriate).
“I also recommend warm compresses for inflamed lesions and consistent routine care,” she said. Sticking to a proper cleansing, gentle exfoliation, and barrier support routine is essential. “Long-term improvement comes from correcting the environment of the skin, not just spot-treating the symptom.”
CeraVe Acne Control Gel
This affordable acne spot treatment by CeraVe has 2% salicylic acid and a blend of glycolic and lactic acid to help clear acne and prevent new breakouts.
Murad Rapid Relief Acne Spot Treatment
This Murad spot treatment has a fast-acting formula made up of 2% salicylic acid, the brand’s signature pine and thyme complex, horse chestnut, and oat, which promises to clear up acne, soothe, and restore balance.
e.l.f. SKIN Breakthrough Blemish Fighting Spot Gel
This affordable roll-on spot gel is infused with 1% salicylic acid, aloe, and witch hazel to treat blemishes, soothe redness, and prevent excess oil.
Kate Somerville EradiKate Acne Treatment
Throwback acne treatment, anyone? The Kate Spade EradiKate drying lotion is powered by 10% sulfur, BHA salicylic acid, and zinc oxide to help eliminate blemishes, reduce irritation, and keep new breakouts from forming.
The Ordinary Sulfur 10% Powder-to-Cream Concentrate
The Ordinary’s acne spot treatment is a powder-to-cream concentrate that’s formulated with 10% colloidal sulfur and 4% niacinamide to penetrate pores to treat and soothe acne.
How We Choose
The E! Insider Shop editors and writers search the internet to find the best products out there. We interview expert sources, comb through customer reviews, and use our own personal experiences to make shopping easier for our readers.
As an editorial team, we independently create content and determine coverage based on research, reporting and what we think our readers would like to read about. The goal of our content is to provide a service and inform readers who are on the hunt for the latest products to help make their life better. Items are sold by retailer, not E!. Pricing and availability are accurate as of publish time.
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