What does each ingredient do?
| Ingredient or material | Its job |
|---|---|
| Hydrocolloid | Absorbs fluid such as pus and oil and covers the blemish while it heals. |
| Adhesive | Keeps the patch attached to your skin. |
| Salicylic acid, in some patches | Helps remove dead skin cells; it can irritate sensitive skin. |
| Tea tree oil, in some patches | Added to help dry out pimples; it can irritate sensitive skin. |
Hydrocolloid does not need an added acne medicine to absorb fluid and cover a spot. A plain patch is a small wound dressing, not an entire acne routine compressed into a sticker.1
Are all acne ingredients patch ingredients?
No. Salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide also appear in separate spot treatments and face washes. Salicylic acid dissolves dead skin cells, while benzoyl peroxide targets bacteria on the skin's surface that can aggravate acne. Do not assume a patch contains either ingredient simply because it is sold for pimples.2
Which ingredients need caution?
If your skin is sensitive, added salicylic acid or tea tree oil can irritate an already irritated spot. Adhesive can also aggravate the surrounding skin if you are sensitive or allergic to it. Choosing plain hydrocolloid avoids those added treatments, but not the adhesive.1
How should you use a patch?
- 1Wash the affected area.
- 2Dry the skin thoroughly so the adhesive can stick.
- 3Apply the patch and leave it on for the time stated on the pack. Most need a few hours, and many are designed for overnight wear.
- 4Remove the patch at the stated time. The blemish may look smaller and less inflamed.
What can the ingredients actually achieve?
Patches work best on open, oozing pimples and offer less help for closed spots or blackheads. A patch can protect one spot, but it cannot prevent future acne, so a sticker is not a subscription to clear skin.1
For a deep, painful pimple, a hydrocolloid patch can protect the skin and support healing. Do not squeeze the bump: picking increases the risk of infection, discoloration and scarring. See a dermatologist if the painful pimple persists despite home care or you develop multiple deep, painful pimples.3
Where this answer comes from
- 1How Do Pimple Patches Work?health.clevelandclinic.org
- 2Does Putting Toothpaste on Pimples Work?health.clevelandclinic.org
- 3How to treat a deep, painful pimple at homeaad.org
