Pimple patch, zit sticker, acne dot—whatever you call them, these tiny powerhouses of acne-fighting goodness have burst onto the skin care scene in recent years in a big way. But, do pimple patches work? The short answer is yes. Pimple patches are designed to help treat some types of acne, but there’s more you should know before giving them a try. We enlisted board-certified dermatologist and LovelySkin CEO, Dr. Joel Schlessinger to answer some common questions about pimple patches, including:

• Is a pimple patch any different than a regular bandage?
• How do pimple patches work?
• How do I use a pimple patch?
• Do pimple patches work on all kinds of acne?

What Are Pimple Patches Made of?

Most pimple patches are commonly made from hydrocolloid dressing, which has an outer layer that acts as a barrier with an inner layer made of gel to protect the skin and help it heal. A hydrocolloid pimple patch is different from the adhesive bandage you’re use to reaching for to cover a cut or a scrape, which feature a square or circle of sterile gauze.

How Do Pimple Patches Work?

Pimple patches work to help treat acne in a few different ways. First, the pimple patch itself forms a seal that helps keep out dirt and bacteria that could further aggravate the blemish. Next, let’s be honest: it can be hard to resist touching or picking at a swollen pimple. Therefore, a pimple patch provides a physical barrier over a zit so you (literally!) can’t touch it.

While the outer layer of a pimple patch protects your pimple from the outside elements, the inner layer is doing a different job to help the blemish heal. “Hydrocolloid dressings are used in hospitals for wound care,” Dr. Schlessinger says. “They work by drawing fluid out of a wound to encourage the healing process. When you put a hydrocolloid patch on a pimple, it helps draw out the pus and excess oil so the blemish can heal.”

Some of the best pimple patches also contain active acne-fighting ingredients, similar to a topical spot treatment. skyn Iceland Blemish Dots contain salicylic acid, which helps unblock clogged pores, and tea tree oil, which helps improve acne by reducing inflammation. We’re also fans of Peter Thomas Roth Acne-Clear Invisible Dots, which feature hydrating hyaluronic acid in addition to salicylic acid and tea tree oil to help eliminate bacteria and oil for a pinpoint acne treatment.

Need to camouflage a red, swollen pimple before a big Zoom meeting? Sounds like a job for a pimple patch. “In the case of an oozing pimple, you don’t really want to cover that up with concealer, as that could cause further irritation,” Dr. Schlessinger says.

Because most pimple patches are translucent, they’re not very obvious to the naked eye and you can even apply makeup over them to help blend them in even more.

How to Use a Pimple Patch

Applying a pimple patch is a lot like applying a bandage, so you’ll want to follow some of the same practices. A pimple patch works best when it's applied to clean, dry skin, so make sure to dry your face thoroughly after washing with your favorite cleanser. To avoid transferring any dirt or bacteria onto your skin or the pimple patch, it’s also a good idea to wash your hands before opening the package and applying.

Because they’re so tiny (and sticky!), handling a pimple patch can be tricky, so we like to use a clean pair of tweezers to peel it off the backing and gently place it on the face before smoothing down with a fingertip. Depending on the formulation, a pimple patch can be left on for two to twelve hours. Still, check the instructions on the packaging to be sure!

When Not to Use a Pimple Patch

Are there any situations in which using a pimple patch isn’t a good idea? First off, you should avoid putting pimple patches on cold sores or other infections, Dr. Schlessinger says. “Otherwise, pimple patches are generally very safe to use on acne,” Dr. Schlessinger says. Potential side effects could be an allergic reaction or irritation from acne-fighting active ingredients, such as salicylic acid or tea tree oil. “If you’ve had skin irritation from those ingredients in the past, I’d instead just opt for plain hydrocolloid pimple patches with no additional active ingredients.”

The Patchology Breakout Box, for example, contains plain hydrocolloid patches as well as blackhead-clearing nose strips and pimple patches formulated with salicylic acid and tea tree oil.

Pimple patches are handy to have in your skin care toolkit for the occasional pimple that pops up here and there, but they’re not the best treatment for all acne, Dr. Schlessinger says. “Deep, cystic acne, for example—pimple patches just aren’t going to be very effective for that,” he says. “For moderate to severe acne, I really recommend visiting a board-certified dermatologist who can prescribe the right combination of treatments for your particular case.”

To help prevent pimples before they start with new and innovative acne products, check out our blog post, Your New and Improved Acne Regimen.