What should you look for when looking for a spot patch?

First things first – all the best pimple patches contain hydrocolloid. “A key base ingredient, hydrocolloid helps absorb fluid, flatten spots, and also protects the skin while it heals,” explains Dermatological and Aesthetic Doctor, Dr Nora Jaafar.

“Other helpful ingredients to look out for include salicylic acid for unclogging the pores, niacinamide for reducing redness and inflammation, barrier-supporting centella asiatica (also known as cica), and antibacterial tea tree oil.” adds Consultant Dermatologist, Dr Aiza Jamil. “But really, hydrocolloid does most of the hard work here – and any other ingredients are beneficial additives.”

Aside from the ingredients, you’ll also want to think about when you’ll be wearing your patches. Thin and transparent ones are great for discrete daytime wear, whereas thicker ones will likely be more absorbent for overnight use. Plus, it’s always good to look for a pack that contains stickers in a few different sizes.

What type of blemishes do spot patches work for?

Contrary to popular belief, pimple patches aren’t suitable for every single type of pimple. “They work best on inflamed whiteheads or pimples that have come to the surface, as the hydrocolloid will absorb fluid and speed up healing,” Dr. Nora explains.

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.

But while they’re a great option for surface-level pimples and inflamed red spots, hydrocolloid patches wont be all that effective on deep, cystic acne underneath the skin. “They also wont work on blackheads, because they contain no moisture – a blackhead is essentially a blocked pore that has been oxidised by the air which turns it black,” Rosa says. “So putting a pimple patch on a blackhead would be a waste of time.”

How do you use a pimple patch?

You should always apply hydrocolloid patches to clean, dry skin so they adhere properly to the spot – so try to allow at least half an hour between doing your skincare, and popping on a pimple patch. “I always find that the less residue you have on your skin, the better they adhere and stay put,” adds Dermatologist, Dr. Sonia Khorana.

As for makeup, Dr. Sonia says it’s best to put the patch on first, and then apply makeup on top. Then simply make sure you wear the patch for the recommended amount of time – which is usually a minimum of six hours.