Let’s face it – acne is a bitch, and the temptation to pop your pimples is as old as time itself. Sure, your mum’s advice of leaving your spots alone is sound, but it’s often unrealistic: zits are just irresistible. Which is where the mighty pimple patch come in. 

What with the recent insurgence of K-beauty storming the western world – everything from snail-infused lotion to animal inspired sheet masks – it’s only natural that they’ve also curated a way to blast these unwanted friends off your face. 

Unlike spot treatments (that work to varying degrees of success), most of these stickers contain hydrocolloid which explains why they turn white after usage – they are quite literally drawing the gunk out of your skin. With that being said, here are the best of the best.

PEACH SLICES – ACNE SPOT DOTS 

Cult K-beauty brand Peach & Lily has aptly called its pimple-removing product Peach Slice Acne Spot Dots. Two things make this product highly rated and loved by many: one, they are thin enough that (if you were feeling brave enough) you could wear this during the day. Secondly, it comes in three sizes so you can zap that pimple accordingly.

Get it here: Peach Slice Acne Spot Dots

COSRX – ACNE PIMPLE MASTER PATCH & CLEAR FIT MASTER PATCH 

Another cult classic, you can choose between two Cosrx products. There is the Acne Pimple Master Patch which is adored by many simply for its resilience to actually stay on your face. The second one is the Clear Fit Master Patch, named as such because of its slimmer and more translucent appearance meaning it is more suitable for daytime wearing.

Get it here: Cosrx Acne Pimple Master Patch

SQUISH – FLOWER POWER 

Squish is one of the most-welcomed beauty brands to enter the industry in 2019 as the founder, body-positive activist Charli Howard, has incorporated her celebratory ethos into the company. The Flower Power acne patches are cute as hell and do the job so what’s not to love? The products are pretty much everything-free (sulphate, paraben, perfume and petroleum) and vegan. 

Get it here: Squish Flower Power Acne Patches

PEACE OUT – HEALING DOTS

What makes the Peace Out Acne Healing Dots different from the rest of the market is its combination of ingredients. The bacteria that causes pimples to appear is destroyed by salicylic acid, Vitamin A is there to help promote clear-looking skin while the addition of aloe vera reduces the appearance of redness. 

Get it here: Peace Out Acne Dots

HERO – INVISIBLE+ AND MIGHTY PATCH SURFACE 

Hero Cosmetics has three types of stickers to resolve all of your pimple needs: the Mighty patch original is for nighttime use, the Invisible+ for daytime use, and the Mighty Patch Surface. Unlike the others which provide one sticker to place over a single spot, this product will cover a much larger surface area (forehead, chin, cheek) but won’t compromise on performance. Perfect for when skin decided to go haywire (looking at you, hormones).

Get it here: Hero Cosmetics Mighty Patch Invisible+

STARFACE - HYDRO-STARS

Bringing some much-needed fun into the world of acne, Starface’s Hydro-Star patches are loud, proud and begging to be shown off. Like Squish, in a bid to fight the stigma against acne Starface wants you to draw attention to your spots, not hide them. The hydrocolloid patches work by absorbing fluid to flatten out the pimple and keeping out bacteria which speeds up the recovery process. So pop on a patch and take your best selfie.

Get it here: Starface Hydro-Stars