Pimple patches in public?
You're either for it or against it.
I was recently scrolling through TikTok when I saw a few videos back-to-back of influencers and content creators sporting brightly colored pimple patches as they run errands, eat at restaurants, and workout. As someone who had no option but to rock a fresh zit on my face since my teenage years until my mid 20s (when the pimple patches took off), this trend has me thinking of how and when people are deciding to conceal their pimples.
On Instagram, I asked my followers about their use of pimple patches. Out of 36 people, 15 said they wear them in public, while 16 said they don’t, the rest do sometimes. Out of 33 people, 30 say they think pimple patches help diminish their acne while 3 don’t see too much success.
As a beauty writer, I’ve read a lot of articles and talked to a handful of dermatologists about pimple patches and how effective they really are or if they actually work at all. Case in point:
Daily Mail worked with dermatologists to reveal whether celebrity -loved pimple patches are actually BAD for your skin.
Allure highlighted the 9 best pimple patches to treat pesky breakouts.
The New York Times wrote about if pimple patches actually work or not.
Healthline also talked about if pimple patches really work.
In 2024, Althletech News discussed if these patches are the next big wellness innovation.
So…how do pimple patches work and is it OK to wear them out of the house?? More on that ahead, but first:
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Glossier’s Futuredew Serum is now available in a portable and precise stick form.
L’Oréal Paris’s Faux Brow product is now available at Ulta. The brand announced the news on Instagram with a pretty fun video worth checking out here.
How do pimple patches work?
“Pimple patches can be a quick and easy way to treat acne, especially if you have a few active pimples,” Dr. Mansha Thacker, board-certified dermatologist at St. Luke’s University Health Network in Pennsylvania says. “Pimple patches are usually made from hydrocolloid, a gel-like substance that creates a moist environment over the skin. Hydrocolloid helps draw out fluid, oil, and pus from pimples, helping them heal faster.”
The pimple patch will act like a barrier when you’re wearing it. This will protect “the area from bacteria and stopping you from touching or picking it, which can make acne worse.”
Dr. Thacker continues, “Some patches also contain ingredients like salicylic acid or tea tree oil, which target inflammation and bacteria to speed up healing. Others have retinol or bakuchiol (plant based retinol alternative) which can help with pigmentation, too. I especially like them for overnight use because they stay in place and don’t rub off on your pillowcase like creams can.”
Is it safe to wear pimple patches out and about?
TLDR, yes!
“It is absolutely safe to wear pimple patches outside,” Dr. Thacker says. “Pimple patches are designed to protect the pimple while you go about your day, so you don’t have to worry about dirt or bacteria exacerbating it. Plus, there are tinted options available that blend in with your skin tone, so they’re discreet enough to wear in public. Just be sure to replace them after a few hours, or once they've absorbed the fluid from the pimple.”
If you’re wearing your pimple patches at all times to conceal it and hope it diminishes in size when you take it off, you’re not alone. Even the biggest celebrities are in the same boat.
