Do pimple patches even work? Here's what you should be using instead

As you know, acne is a common skin condition that, even if only mildly or moderately present, can be super annoying and leave you self-conscious. One of the trending products over the past few years has been pimple patches. So, do pimple patches work, or are they just hogwash? Keep reading to learn what pimple patches are, how they work, and whether they really work or not, along with a great alternative product you can use.

What are pimple patches?

Another name for acne stickers or zit stickers - these are small adhesive patches meant to be placed directly on your spots. They are often made from hydrocolloid, a gel-like material that has been used for wound care in medical contexts. Patches like this are usually sold in smaller and larger sizes as developers claim to shrink the pimple size overnight while reducing its redness.

Pimple patches, when applied, create a barrier over the blemish and prevent you from picking or taping it. This helps prevent additional irritation and keeps the area moist to encourage healing. Some patches like this contain additional active ingredients such as salicylic acid or tea tree oil, which are very good at healing acne.

Shop Overnight Acne Spot Corrector

How do pimple patches work?

You can sleep wearing those pimple patches, and your blemishes will be reduced within one night. But how do pimple patches work? They mainly work following two mechanisms. They are:

Absorption

Hydrocolloid material in pimple patches extracts additional fluid, pus as well as oil from the area of breakouts. This works to flatten out the zone around your pimple and bring down inflammation. The material is absorbed and binds to the patch, creating a gel that traps contaminants under it. In this way, the impurities are taken away from your skin.

Protection

So, what does pimple patches do for people with acne-prone skin? These patches cover up the pimple so that no other external irritants get in there and make them even worse. In addition to preventing outside irritants and bacteria from entering the blemish, they also aid in stopping users from picking at their inflamed areas, which is another common cause of scarring & extended healing.

Although some acne stickers work well for specific types of pimples, especially shallow pimples like whitehead spots, there are still restrictions to them. They are not as effective for deeper cystic acne and cannot do much to solve the problems that cause it in the first place.

Are pimple patches good for your skin, and do they actually work?

Let’s clear one persistent doubt: Are pimple patches good for your skin? Pimple patches are not all equal, and their effectiveness depends on many factors, such as what type of acne is to be treated or which specific formulation is used in that particular patch. According to dermatologists, pimple patches may be effective for superficial lesions but are not an effective overall acne solution.

Pros of pimple patches

• Easy to use: Because all you need involves sticking the patches onto your pimple, they are super convenient for a quick solution.
• Stop picking: They help to stop people from popping or picking their pimples so there is no fear of scars.
• Quick fix: The patches help to reduce the size of pimples and also bring down the redness of the zit.

Cons of pimple patches

• Limited effectiveness: The problem with patches is that they are only good for opening and draining pimples. So, if you have a closed one (say, for example, blackheads), then these patches won't be of much use.
• Skin reactions: The adhesive that the patches have is not good for sensitive skin. That often causes rashes on the skin and is very problematic.
• Temporary solution: One thing that must be kept in mind is that these patches are not the solution to cure the root cause of acne. Yes, they will provide relief for the time being, but they will not stop the pimples from popping up again.

Simply put, these patches can provide some benefits, but they aren't the miracle you seek. If you want to distance yourself from those troublesome zits, relying on these patches can only frustrate you in the long term.

What can I use instead of pimple patches?

You can consider using more long-term products instead of the acne patch. For instance, incorporate the Overnight Acne Spot Corrector in your skincare regimen. This product comes with active ingredients that can target acne and eradicate it effectively.

The ingredients in the product that work together to reward you with acne-free skin are as follows:

• Sulphur: Due to its antibacterial properties, this ingredient can deal with bacteria that trigger acne and associated inflammation.
• Salicylic acid: It can exfoliate your skin and unclog blocked pores. Moreover, it can facilitate cell turnover to heal your skin from existing pimples and keep future ones at bay.
• Zinc oxide: This ingredient provides relief from irritation. It also creates a protective shield against environmental pollutants likely to cause adverse reactions on your skin.
• Glycerin: As a humectant, this ingredient helps your skin attract moisture. It keeps dryness at bay to ensure that your skin isn’t overcompensating by producing extra sebum that blocks your pores and causes acne.
• Calamine: The soothing quality of calamine is perfect for individuals who have to deal with redness and irritation from acne.

Also read: What is Calamine?

Benefits of Overnight Acne Spot Corrector

If you aren’t convinced about using the Overnight Acne Spot Corrector, here’s why you should start using it:

• Fast results: You can notice visible results right after the first application. With consistent use, this product will considerably reduce breakouts on your skin.
• Comprehensive treatment: The Overnight Acne Spot Corrector has been designed to work on various forms of acne. Whether it’s simple blackheads and whiteheads or inflamed pustules, the product will work on them.
• Dermatologically tested: This product is not created using paraben. Moreover, it is hypoallergenic, cruelty-free, and non-comedogenic. Therefore, it’s also suitable for people with skin prone to sensitivities.
• Clinically tested: As per detailed studies, this skincare product will reduce the number of acne lesions on your skin almost overnight after just one application.

Also read: How to apply acne spot corrector and what are its benefits?

Conclusion

Although pimple patches can be an effective solution for open and draining zits, they are not a standalone solution and also do not work for many people. Instead, try the Overnight Acne Spot Corrector, which uses potent actives in conjunction to offer a more effective acne solution. By dealing with the primary causes of acne and aiding quicker healing, this product can be a more effective way to get clear skin than simply using pimple patches.