Which One of Our Pimple Patches to Choose, Based On Your Skin Type
When a big juicy zit pops up, the first thing we all wanna do...
squeeze it!
The trouble is, popping your pimple can cause bigger problems for you in the long run. Besides triggering further breakouts, squeezing zits can lead to acne scars.
That's where pimple patches come in, or acne stickers -- whatever you want to call them.
These small, circular sheets are typically made with hydrocolloid and other active ingredients to drain the oil, gunk, and dirt from a zit. They work particularly well on mild breakouts and blemishes like whiteheads and blackheads. Pimple patches are less helpful if you're experiencing cystic acne.
"While stuck to the skin, acne patches also have the added benefit of preventing you from picking or trying to pop the pimple," says board-certified dermatologist Hadley King.
Wearing a hydrocolloid patch instead of scratching and squeezing away a pimple can prevent inflammation, discoloration, and scarring, and speed up the healing time.
It's a win-win!
At Truly, we have pimple patches for every skin type. Take your pick from our fabulous, impurity-draining selection.
Hemp Acne Patches
Best for: Dry Skin & Acne-Prone Skin
Our hemp blemish patches are uniquely formulated with salicylic acid and hemp to drain excess oil, unclog pores, reduce post inflammation, and accelerate the healing process.
Salicylic acid is a classic acne-fighting ingredient found in many skincare products targeted at tackling acne.
"Naturally sourced from willow tree bark, this fat-soluble beta hydroxy acid penetrates follicles to break down oil build-up, reducing and preventing pore blockages," explains dermatologist Dr. Dennis Gross.
It also contains anti-inflammatory properties to bring down redness in active acne.
As effective as this spot treatment is for acne-prone skin, it's also beneficial for dry skinned folks thanks to its high hemp content which brings moisture to the skin so your zits don't dry out.
Hemp is probably a lesser known breakout banishing ingredient, but it does work. Very well in fact!
According to Dr. Maura Henninger, a Naturopathic Doctor in New York City, it's "beneficial for acne-prone patients because of its antibacterial properties."
Our Stars Prevent Scars Acne Patches
Best for: Sensitive Skin
The problem with most acne treatments is that they're notoriously drying and irritating. So if you've got the combination of sensitive skin and breakouts, things can get a little...uncomfortable.
That's why Truly formulated our Star Acne Patches with tea tree oil -- to counteract the drying effects of its other ingredients (glycolic acid and hydrocolloid) and calm the skin.
These star shaped blemish patches treat active pimples with fluid-draining hydrocolloid and exfoliating glycolic acid.
While hydrocolloid extracts impurities and guards against external irritants, glycolic acid exfoliates the skin, sloughing away dead skin cells for smoother, clearer, brighter skin.
"If you want to improve uneven texture, oiliness, and clogged pores, turn to glycolic acid," says Dr. Corey L. Hartman, Founder of Skin Wellness Dermatology.
As for tea tree oil, it's primarily known for its anti-inflammatory effects, but did you know it also has antiseptic properties? That means it also plays a role in reducing acne spots.
Heart Your Imperfections Acne Patches
Best for: Oily Skin
These heart-shaped hydrocolloid stickers are made using only this one zit-zapping ingredient.
So what exactly is hydrocolloid, and does it really suck out excess sebum, dry out pimples, and deliver clearer skin?
"Hydrocolloid is a hydrophilic material that attracts water," says Shereene Idriss, M.D., a dermatologist in New York City. "With regards to acne, it helps to decrease the intensity of a pimple by extracting the inflammatory exudate without physical manipulation."
IOW: it drains all that funky fluid, leaving the residue on the once clear bandage, without risking the hyperpigmentation and dark spots that come from popping and squeezing your zits.
While there are tons of brands selling hydrocolloid bandages, our heart-shaped ones are the best pimple patches for oily skin, and we highly recommend incorporating them into your skincare routine to keep your skin clear, clarified, and blemish-free.
Oh, and did we mention they also look super cute!
DO YOUR PIMPLES NEED EXTRA CARE?
We recently upgraded our existing acne patches to "super" versions. Why? Because even though our existing patches work amazingly, some pimples require a little more attention than others, and that calls for a few extra special ingredients.
Super Hemp Pimple Patches
This formula focuses just as much on zit-zapping as it does on healing. Made with hemp, glycolic acid, tea tree oil, and hydrocolloid, these hemp shaped patches cleanse blemishes of bacteria while keeping the skin hydrated and preventing irritation. This super patch does it all!
Super Star Pimple Patches
These star shaped patches replace tea tree and glycolic acid for retinol (vitamin A) and salicylic acid.
Together, these superhero ingredients help remove your blemish while preventing scarring and hyperpigmentation.
"Retinol isn’t an antibiotic, but what it does in acne is help the skin cells that line the pores to turnover more normally, which helps avoid clogged pores and this helps prevent the pimples and blackheads of acne," says celeb dermatologist Dr. Doris Day.
They're an excellent choice for anyone prone to scarring, as these high-performing ingredients really do yield results.
Super Heart Pimple Patches
Whereas the original formula utilized hydrocolloid and hydrocolloid alone, the "super" upgrade adds in benzoyl peroxide and citric acid for bonus acne-banishing, skin-smoothing, and complexion-brightening points.
Don't underestimate these adorable pink powerhouses. She may look cute on the outside, but she's badass on the inside.
You're probably already familiar with the likes of Mighty Patch, Cosrx Acne Pimple Master Patch, Killa Kit, Zitsticka, Peace Out Acne Healing Dots, and Peach Slices Microdarts. They're amazing, sure. But we'd love you to give our fun hemp, star, and heart-shaped pimple patches a try instead! You'll find them directly on our online store and over on Ulta.
In the meantime, keep up a dedicated skincare routine consisting of an acne-clearing cleanser, lightweight, hyaluronic acid moisturizer, and zinc-formulated sunscreen. Feel free to throw a clarifying face mask in there from time to time.
If you're experiencing acne cysts, visit a dermatologist to receive the appropriate treatment.
