The best pimple patches are no longer just a discreet fix but a necessity in a well rounded acne skincare routine—one not to be ashamed of or hidden. Gen Z’s unapologetic embrace of real skin has turned blemishes into something refreshingly au courant, with hydrocolloid dots—like Hailey Bieber’s now-iconic star-shaped duo—becoming as much about self-expression as they are about skin healing.

Not sure how they differ from the spot cream tube on the second shelf of your bathroom cupboard? Board-certified nurse practitioner Vanessa Coppola argues pimple patches offer targeted benefits: they absorb fluid, calm inflammation, and create a clean seal over the blemish to prevent further irritation. “Pimple patches and spot creams serve different purposes. Patches are ideal for surface-level breakouts or after a blemish has come to a head; they protect, absorb, and speed up healing,” Coppola tells Vogue. “Spot creams, especially those with active ingredients like retinoids, sulfur, or benzoyl peroxide, are designed to treat the root cause: oil, bacteria, inflammation, and work best on early-stage or under-the-skin blemishes.”

Vogue’s Guide to the Best Pimple Patches

In this article

The most effective breakout routines embrace a layered approach: a strategic cream to treat the deeper issue, followed by a patch to protect and accelerate recovery. Together, they form a modern blemish protocol. Below, find Vogue’s edit of the eight best pimple patches to wear day or overnight to clear up blemishes anywhere on the body—with insight along the way from dermatologist and skin-care experts on how long you should leave one on, and how often you can use one.

Best Overall: Hero Cosmetics Mighty Patch Original

• Why We Love It: Consistently delivering on its promise to “[suck] out more gunk” overnight, this patch made its way onto Vogue’s list of best acne products—and is beloved by dermatologists, too. “This uses hydrocolloid technology to absorb excess fluid and oil from the pimple, promoting faster healing and reducing inflammation,” says Marisa Garshick, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology. “These patches are discreet, easy to use, and help prevent touching and picking at the blemish, which can lead to further irritation or scarring.”
• Key Ingredients: Hydrocolloid
• Size: 12 millimeters
• Appearance: Round and transparent
• Count: 36 single size patches