The 8 Best Hydrocolloid Patches Of 2024 For Blackheads, Dark Spots & More

These are the best patches for any kind of zit, in my opinion. I’m guessing it has to do with the material’s thickness, but these medical-grade hydrocolloid patches somehow suck up the most gunk. They adhere firmly onto the skin without sliding throughout the night (whereas other patches end up stuck on my pillow in the a.m.), and they blend seamlessly into the skin for daytime wear. 

Hero Cosmetics features other versions of pimple patches, like invisible and extra large dressings, but I always come back to their O.G. stickers. I have about seven boxes in my bathroom cabinet (not exaggerating) for acne emergencies. 

These ultra-slim patches are so thin, you could even wear them under makeup. Simply slap on the patch to clean, dry skin, tap your favorite concealer over the spot, and voilá—a quick and easy blemish disguise. Not to mention, providing a barrier between your breakout and makeup can encourage healing and keep the product from further clogging pores. The additional red ginseng water helps soothe inflamed acne and dial down swelling, so you can treat those spots as you cover them up. 

Micro dart patches typically contain additional acne-fighting ingredients that directly penetrate the skin, as opposed to a standard pimple patch, which generally just sits on top. The points themselves are made from dissolvable hyaluronic acid, says Marcus, and all you notice is a mild prickling sensation when you press on the patch; it goes away as the micro darts start to dissolve, then it functions just like your regular hydrocolloid patch. 

Micro dart patches “help active ingredients penetrate more deeply into the epidermis,” adds Marcus, which may make them better for early-stage, under-the-skin pimples. For example, these KILLA stickers come infused with peptides, salicylic acid, and niacinamide to unclog pores, balance oil production, and strengthen the skin barrier; with sharp, stable spikes, those ingredients are sure to target the zit with precision.   

Treating blackheads can be tricky, and just any ol’ hydrocolloid patch won’t exactly clear them entirely. “They may help to draw oil out of the skin, but likely will not completely resolve a blackhead,” says Marcus. “A pimple patch with salicylic acid may be more effective for blackheads as this ingredient breaks up sebum within the pores.”

Enter these invisible acne dots: Infused with 0.5% salicylic acid, tea tree oil, and hyaluronic acid, the super-thin patches help unclog blackheads at the sources and soothe any lingering inflammation. The kit comes with six sheets of 12 dots (so 72 patches, for those who don’t care for mental math) in two custom sizes for zits of all kinds. 

Most hydrocolloid patches are meant to disguise blemishes, but these star-shaped cuties put them front and center in the best way. Just leave it to Starface to make pimples look edgy and cool. 

I’m a fan of their original, no-frills hydrocolloid patches, but these tea tree oil-infused stickers are fabulous for balancing and soothing skin. I slapped one on a particularly inflamed, angry zit, and it practically shrunk in size overnight, thanks to the essential oil’s antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. The star shape looks cute, but it’s functional, too: The tiny arms can grip difficult-to-reach contours of your face (think: the corners of your nose, sides of your lips, etc).

In terms of size variety, these Peach Slices Acne Spot Dots take the cake. You’ll find multiple different circles to cover every kind of zit, from inflamed mounds to tiny closed comedones. I like to use the smaller dots during the day to disguise the appearance of a specific zit; it covers a much tinier surface area, so it doesn’t create as much of a shadow. I’d also be remiss not to mention the budget-friendly $4.99 price tag. 

Acne can be difficult to treat, but targeting the subsequent post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation can be even more time-consuming—after all, these dark spots often take months (sometimes years) to completely fade. 

Speed up the healing process with these micro dart patches, which come infused with niacinamide, tranexamic acid, and ferulic acid to brighten the complexion, soothe inflammation, and even skin tone. And again, because those micro darts help ingredients better penetrate the dermis, those actives can shuffle through the skin barrier and get to work on hyperpigmented skin cells. 

These Curology patches are somehow ultra-thin yet sturdy—they don’t slide off easily. They’re also waterproof and sweat-resistant, making them the perfect option for all-day wear. I’ve worn one of these to a sweaty Pilates class, and let me tell you, they don’t dare budge. Not for nothing, they’re practically invisible on the skin; I personally don’t have a problem sporting a pimple patch during a workout class, but for those who prefer some discretion, this is a great invisible option to snag.