We know that finding the right fit for your skin, a product that helps to zap away blemishes without making them red or dry, can be a bit of a task. We wanted to offer an all-new treatment that helps to reduce the appearance of blemishes whilst caring for the skin underneath. We searched far and wide for the perfect ingredient and discovered the very catchy SIG1459 or Disodium Tetramethylhexadecenylcysteine Formylprolinate. It is a proprietary isoprenylcysteine (IPC) molecule, which is nowhere near as scary as it sounds. Let us explain… Yes, dermatologists are big fans of pimple patches. “These are one of my favorite additions to skincare over the past few years,” says Dr. Robinson. “I love them because they are therapeutic and have real impact on speeding up the healing of pimples.” The Mighty Patch is especially helpful if you’re prone to acne scarring, which can be tough to treat without the help of a dermatologist. “A bonus of this patch is that it helps to reduce acne scarring as well as getting rid of pimples,” says Dr. Engelman. Finally, they also have a matte finish, so they’re barely noticeable if you accidentally (or intentionally) wear them out. Choosing the right spot patch depends on your skin type, preferences, and lifestyle. They work best on surfaced pimples, especially when used overnight.

Of all the spot patches listed here, this is the most expensive. However, this is one of the spot patches that work. This is because it has niacinamide, salicylic acid and hyaluronic acid – the best acne-fighting ingredients. You only need to have it on for 2 hours and it makes a difference to the size of your pimple. Why we love it: these are spot patches that work, are cute and perfect as an overnight spot treatment. Contrary to popular belief, the white stuff you find on a used pimple patch isn’t necessarily pus. Instead, “it’s hydrated hydrocolloid, which absorbs moisture surrounding the pimple to form this gel that creates an optimal healing environment,” says Dr. Robinson. “It’s smothering the lesion with ingredients that target the inflammation and bacteria — helping it to ‘dry out’ and heal faster.” There’s a reason these acne dots are loved by dermatologists. For starters, “these patches contain salicylic acid, a well known ingredient to treat acne,” says Dr. Heather Woolery-Lloyd, a dermatologist in Miami. “In a study, users reported their acne was less red in six hours.”IPC has been shown to have anti-bacterial activity against C. acnes, performing much better than other acne actives. C. acnes is a bacteria that is naturally part of the microbiome on the skin, and excessive levels are thought to contribute to the formation of blemishes and redness. In the lab, it was also shown to prevent the release of a certain receptor that causes inflammation in acne-prone skin that leads to redness, pore congestion, lipid oxidation and more spots. Acne pimple patches do work, but “they all function a little bit differently based on their active ingredients,” says Dr. Robinson. “Overall, they contain a combination of inflammation-reducing properties, such as hydrocolloid and niacinamide, alongside bacteria-reducing ingredients like benzoyl peroxide and tea tree oil.” She’s also a fan of exfoliating actives, like salicylic acid and glycolic acid, which can dissolve the gunk clogging pores.

This is where those active ingredients count. For starters, “hydrocolloid is commonly used in wound healing to promote healing,” says Dr. Woolery-Lloyd. “It works by absorbing excess fluid in open acne lesions.” She’s also a fan of those that contain anti-inflammatory ingredients, which can promote healing. Now, which spot patches have piqued your interest? The ones listed here are all spot patches that work. However, your skin type, lifestyle and personal preference will largely impact which spot patches you like best. For example, if you are a daily make-up wearer with normal skin you may enjoy the COSRX Clear Fit Master Patch. If you have sensitive skin, the Dots for Spots acne patches might suit your skin best. Applying a spot patch after gently squeezing a pimple can be more effective and sanitary than leaving it exposed. It draws out impurities and protects the skin, reducing the risk of scarring.This brand has a cult following and for a good reason. This is the first skincare brand available at places such as Superdrug and Boots that sold skincare products with active ingredients at an affordable price. This spot patch is another NIP+FAB product that is inexpensive and has acne-fighting ingredients such as salicylic acid, which helps prevent future acne breakouts. However, if you are brave enough you surely could go out with these on during the day. Starface also sells a cute bright yellow case to store the pimple patches, making it very travel-friendly. You can find these spot patches at your local Boots, Superdrug or other UK online retailers such as Beautybay. Keep in mind that unlike pimples, hyperpigmentation can take much longer to fade — think weeks, not days (and definitely not overnight). So this might not be the ideal long-term solution if you're hoping for a daily treatment — in which case a dark-spot correcting serum might be a better choice. This acne patch brand is very popular for a very good reason. Its cult following is due to it being a staple in a lot of people’s skincare routine, it simply works. This particular acne patch isn’t that different from the previous COSRX patches listed here. SIG1459 or as we shortened it, IPC, was developed by Princeton University using innovation and a technology platform at the forefront of scientific development. Like us, they realised that some traditional spot-treating ingredients, like Benzoyl Peroxide, can be fairly harsh on some skin types and cause side effects such as dryness, irritation, flakiness, and peeling. It has been clinically proven, and laboratory tested with the results published in a peer-reviewed journal to ensure that there is no bias in the data, and it really is as good as they say!

Another inexpensive and really good spot patch is this particular one from Revolution Beauty. These are 10 rectangular and clear spot patches that are perfect for when you have a close cluster of spots to treat. These are great as an overnight spot treatment and they contain salicylic acid which helps to reduce breakouts and tea tree oil an anti-inflammatory ingredient to soothe and heal pimples.

In a clinical study over 8 weeks, 1% IPC (the same level used in our treatment) was tested against a plain vehicle cream (containing no actives) and a 3% Benzoyl Peroxide (BPO) cream. IPC outperformed BPO in reducing the appearance and number of blemishes, with a really significant difference over BPO at 8 weeks. This shows that it continues to work with continued usage, and the skin will only see more and more improvement! Remember that most if not all spot patches work best on freshly squeezed pimples, and sometimes on spots that have formed a whitehead. It is always best to apply them after your cleansing routine. You can apply the spot patch after or before moisturising, this all comes down to personal preference. In this article, we’ll guide you through the top spot patches available in the UK, suitable for various budgets and lifestyles. The Best Spot Patches in the UK:

In fact, they can replace the work (and risk) of popping a pimple that has come to a head. “One of the benefits of pimple patches is that they work by absorbing moisture, oil, and bacteria from deep within the pimple, while keeping the area clean and preventing bacteria from entering the blemish with a protective layer,” she explains. That’s a better alternative to using your fingers and possibly introducing bacteria to the mix. Also contributing to the gentle nature of these dots: The salicylic acid is encapsulated, which offers twofold benefits. For one, the salicylic acid is better able to sink into skin and work its magic; at the same time, the encapsulation protects the skin barrier to minimize dryness. Last but not least, you'll also get the benefits of retinol, which helps speed up skin cell turnover to keep skin clear in the long term. We all get spots (and yes, usually right before that big date or interview) and here at Revolution, we know that whilst having a few spots isn’t the end of the world, sometimes you just want to feel your best and not feel sore or uncomfortable. Never fear and put that tube of toothpaste down - we have just the thing! This blemish treatment is an easy product to be slotted into your routine. It can be used every day straightaway and used morning and/or night. We advise using it in the evening after cleansing- apply a thin layer over the affected area (it doesn’t need to be used all over the face). Wait for it to absorb, and then apply moisturisers or serums on top. Meanwhile, “some patches also contain salicylic acid which can be beneficial in exfoliating and keeping pores clean,” says Dr. Engelman. While there aren’t any ingredients that are off-limits, she adds, “just be mindful of not keeping any patch on for more than 12 hours, as doing so can over-dry and irritate the skin.”

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Salicylic acid is an effective acne-treatment ingredient, aloe vera will soothe the pimple and retinol is great for pimples because it kills acne-causing bacteria. For make-up wearers, this spot patch is for you due to how thin and clear it is.