Do Pimple Patches Work?

In a video on TikTok, a woman sprays a clear solution onto a pair of tweezers as she prepares to peel off a small, circular bandage from the side of her nose. “I don’t know what this peel is going to look like,” she says, “but I’m pretty sure it’s going to be juicy.”

After she removes the patch, she reveals its underside — white, puffy and filled with fluid from a pimple. She brings the patch closer to the camera, proudly showing off the goop.

It’s just one of many videos online of people claiming that pimple patches have made their blemishes heal or become smaller. But you don’t have to go online to see them. The patches are easily found in drugstores in various shapes, sizes, colors and formulations. And you might even spot a person or two wearing them in public.

But before you try a pimple patch for yourself, dermatologists say, know that certain types can be more helpful than others.

How do pimple patches work?

Pimple patches are simply bandages that are meant to be placed over pimples. They are typically lined with hydrocolloid, an absorbent, gel-forming material that medical professionals have used for decades as a wound dressing.

When applied to a wound, the hydrocolloid soaks up excess fluid, forming a gel and creating an environment that promotes healing. The patch itself prevents infection by protecting the skin from debris and bacteria.