When it comes to treating pimples, there are a lot of options available. For the longest time, pimple creams and gels were the go-to way of drying out sudden acne spots. Now that K-beauty is oh-so-popular, pimple patches or hydrocolloid patches are a relatively new way of keeping zits under control. So why are these skincare holy grails so effective in treating those rogue blemishes?

It draws out the fluids from the acne.

Pimple patches contain hydrocolloid, an ingredient that works to suck out fluids like the pus and oils from the pimple to dry it out. The tight seal around a zit serves as a vacuum to draw out the fluids from a pimple, which then appear as white spots on the bandage after a few hours. It’s best to use at night so the hydrocolloid can work its magic. Then, you wake up with the pimple gone and a new clearer complexion.

It works on superficial acne.

It’s good to note that hydrocolloid patches are the most effective in treating surface-level pimples. Pimple patches don’t go deep enough into the skin to treat more serious cases of acne, like cystic ones, unfortunately. Even pimple bandages with the so-called microneedles don’t penetrate deep enough to treat the main culprit of cystic acne.

It prevents you from picking at your pimple.

Even the most self-controlled person would be tempted to pop a zit when it appears! A pimple patch can serve as a barrier between your zit and your itchy fingers, which will help reduce acne scarring. Picking at a pimple can also increase the inflammation you’re already experiencing and can lengthen the time it takes for your skin to recover.

Pimple patches help block out external bacteria.

Aside from stopping you from picking at your pimple, hydrocolloid patches prevent bacteria from further infecting the compromised area. Environmental factors like pollution and bacteria found on your hands can worsen the acne, so keeping it covered can speed up the skin’s healing process.

A lot have other acne-treating benefits added into it.

Most hydrocolloid patches come with other acne solutions like tea tree oil, salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, and centella asiatica (also known as cica). Aside from vacuuming out the pus and oils, pimple bandages with these kinds of ingredients treat the acne-causing bacteria that sparked it in the first place.

Some recommendations

There are a lot of options available and most of them are quite light on the wallet too! Here are some of the most affordable ones in the Philippines.

1. COSRX Acne Pimple Master Patch

The holy grail of hydrocolloid patches – need we say more?

2. SOME BY MI 30Days Miracle Clear Spot Patch

This pack contains 18 patches in varying sizes so you could use it on even the biggest pimples you have.

3. A’pieu Nonco Teatree Spot Patch

This contains tea tree extract to boost your skin’s healing process.

As always, if you think you need more than what pimple patches can offer, you could always book an online consultation with a Belo MD here!