Skin sticker that ‘really does work’ (2025)

Would you wear a sparkly star on your face to the office?

Gen Z would and that's because pimple patches have gone from a humble skincare step for breakouts to a full-blown fashion statement.

Celebrities like Hailey Bieber, Justin Bieber and Rosé from BLACKPINK have all been showing off their not-so-discreet pimple patches out in public.

The trend has sparked conversation on TikTok with some calling it “disgusting” while others saying they “think its cute”.

That being said, we’ve rounded up the best pimple patches of the season from sparkly to discreet.

Our top pick is the Glossy Pack from Skin Control. These holographic pimple patches are your gateway into the trend.

According to Skin Control, the brand has been responsible for clearing more than 5.57 million pimples with their best-selling patches.

Also in the mix is a cult fave, the CORSX Acne patches, which are another viral pimple patch loved by the K-beauty community with thousands of glowing reviews.

“Works great to clear the gunk, stop any temptation to pick and clear blemishes quickly,” one five-star review reads.

OUR TOP PICKS

EDITORS PICK: BEST PIMPLE PATCHES OVERALL

Skin Control Pimple Patch Glossy Pack, $6.30 (down from $9.80) at Amazon

Why we love it: Fun way to treat pimples

Consider: Edges of the star shape tend to peel off easily

Amount included: 36 | Key Ingredient/s: Circa, tea tree oil, salicylic acid and niacinamide

Tried and Tested by Cindy Du, news.com.au checkout eCommerce Producer

These playful patches from Skin Control are a cute and affordable way to add some joy into tackling those pesky pimples.

They come in holographic star and heart shapes that are fun, nostalgic, and remind me of the early 2000s sticker packs.

I wore them out on the weekend and even to a workout session, and honestly? They held up amazingly. While the tips of the star did lift a little, it wasn’t really a bother unless you were looking closely.

I even got a compliment from a fellow gym-goer who said: “These look so fun - they take me straight back to Y2K.”

The formulation includes amazing ingredients such as circa, tea tree oil, salicylic acid and niacinamide.

My pimple was extracted cleanly without leaving an open wound, which is always a win.

Overall, these glossy stars are a cute, effective and relatively inexpensive way to manage breakout days.

SHOP HERE

SHOP THREE PACK HERE

Corsx Acne Patch, $5.98 (down from $7.90) at Amazon

Why we love it: Barely noticeable

Consider: Quite expensive for the amount of patches you receive

Amount included: 24 | Key Ingredient/s: Hydrocolloid

Tried and tested by Jessica Smith, Body+Soul Health and Wellness Shopping Writer

After seeing over 5000 five-star ratings on Amazon for the COSRX Acne Pimple Master Patch, I simply had to try the pimple patch for myself. Coming in three sizes, including a super small 7mm size, these are a great option if you need some healing dots that are small and targeted. Reviewers love how these are a little thicker and stay on the skin really well. I wore my COSRX pimple patch all day and was able to see how well the hydrocolloid gel absorbs excess fluid and helps flatten whiteheads. I also felt like the clear pimple patch was super discreet and barely noticeable on my chin throughout the day.

SHOP HERE

Avarelle Spot Pimple Patches for Face, $12.74 at Amazon

Why we love it: 85,000 plus happy reviews

Consider: Some users have noted that the patches are smaller than expected

Amount included: 24 | Key Ingredient/s: Tea tree, calendula, rose seed oil and hydrocolloid

What You Need To Know

With over 85,000 reviews on Amazon, these K-beauty favourites are clearly doing something right.

The Avarelle Spot Pimple Patches pack include 24 medium and large round patches, each infused with effective and gentle ingredients.

Standout ingredients include calendula which is said to help sooth inflammation as well as rose seed oil which hydrates and promotes healing.

One happy customer said, “Have bought these pimple patches multiple times. Works well to pull out gunk and sticks well on a clean face overnight or throughout the day. Almost invisible to see.”

Another added, “These are awesome little acne patches! I like how small the patches are, making them perfect for daytime use.

“These not only cover a pimple nicely, but they also work to actually heal and clear the skin, while also keeping me from introducing more germs and gunk by touching it all day.”

SHOP HERE

BEST INVISIBLE PIMPLE PATCHES

Mighty Patch Invisible Pimple Patch, $9.99 (down from $14.50) at Amazon

Why we love it: Super thin and nearly invisible

Consider: Some users have noted it’s hard to remove

Amount included: 24 | Key Ingredient/s: Hydrocolloid

What You Need To Know

The Mighty Patch Invisible is a TikTokfavourite and one of the most trusted options in the K-Beauty space.

These are designed super thin and blend seamlessly into your skin – perfect for work, school or wearing under makeup.

One reviewer shared, “I love these because they are invisible so I can wear them during the day and no one can see that I am wearing them.

“They also help me to stop touching/picking at my pimples which is nice. Highly recommend.”

Another said, “Great at concealing unsightly blemishes.”

SHOP HERE

Go-To Spot Stoppas, $17 at Go-To

Why we love it: Comes in two sizes

Consider: You have to waitlist

Amount included: 24 | Key Ingredient/s: Salicylic acid, tea tree oil

Tried and Tested by Cindy Du, news.com.au checkout eCommerce Producer

The day I tried this out, I had an average-sized pimple.

But the moment I peeled the patch off I was shocked at how much it had pulled out.

These pimple patches from Go-To were seriously good at drawing out gunk.

They are ultra-thin, making them perfect for daytime wear and apply seamlessly under makeup.

The only downside is that right now you’ll need to join a waitlist to get your hands on them, but trust me – they are worth it.

One shopper summed it up perfectly saying, “What would I do without them? Bought one box on launch, out of curiosity, and after trying them out, I immediately bought two more because there is no way I would want to run out of these babies!”

SHOP HERE

BEST FUN PIMPLE PATCHES

Skin Control Party Pack, $9 at Skin Control

Why we love it: Variety of fun designs

Consider: Designs with sharp corners tend not to stick as well

Amount included: 36 | Key Ingredient/s: Hydrocolloid, tea tree oil, and salicylic acid

What You Need To Know

The Skin Control Party Pack is perfect for adding a bit of sparkle to a bare face, makeup look or a sleepover skincare routine.

Since launching in 2023 the Pimple Patch Party Pack has sold over 835,000 units and helped clear over 8.38 million pimples, so you know they are seriously good.

It features adorable designs in the shape of stars, hearts, flowers, lips and rainbows.

Beyond the fun factor, the formula still works hard with key ingredients such as tea tree oil and salicylic acid.

Plus, you can save by purchasing a three-pack for $21.50 (down from $26.97) so you can really stock up on these and save some cash while you are at it.

SHOP HERE

SHOP HERE FOR THE THREE BACK

Starface Hydro Stars, $28.50 at Amazon

Why we love it: Used by so many celebrities

Consider: Pricey, and some colours may be hard to find in Australia

Amount included: 32 | Key Ingredient/s: Hydrocolloid

What You Need To Know

These are the pimple patches that might of just kicked off the fun pimple patch trend.

They’ve been on celebs like Hailey Bieber, Justin Bieber and Rosé from BLACKPINK.

The patches come in a super cute compact container, with a built-in mirror and Starface’s iconic smiley design.

They come in a range of colours such as yellow, multi colour and even black. So there’s a colour to match every aesthetic.

But because they are so popular as well as being based in the US, they can be a bit harder to find in Australia and can cost as much as $70.

They’re made with 100 per cent hydrocolloid, which is designed to absorb fluid, reduce inflammation and help pimples heal faster.

Here’s what a happy reviewer had to say, “Good quality item! Works on existing pimples and ones that are developing. They are barely noticeable when wearing and have a super cute design!”

Another added, “Very cute and compact! The case is very sturdy and the mirror on the inside is nice and clean! The star patches themselves are very cute and they stick on pretty well!”

SHOP HERE

BEST LARGE PIMPLE PATCHES

Hero Mighty Patch™ Surface – XL, $12.99 (down from $13.99) at Amazon

Why we love it: Large patch for breakout areas

Consider: Large patches can sometimes be very sticky.

Amount included: 10 | Key Ingredient/s: Hydrocolloid

What You Need To Know

Once again the Mighty Patch goes viral on TikTok, with creator @Peyton showing a jaw-dropping overnight transformation using the XL patch.

The XL patch is a total game changer for those with chaotic breakouts.

The design is a large rectangular patch that covers wide zones, such as jawlines, noses, and chins.

Made with 100 per cent hydrocolloid, it’s the XL patch made for lazy skincare.

Plus, if can alternatively purchase the Mighty Patch Nose for $12.39 (down from $13.39) at Amazon. It contains the same ingredients but it’s just shaped to contour the nose.

SHOP HERE

SHOP HERE FOR THE NOSE

Rael Pimple Patches, Miracle Patches Large Spot Control Cover, $11.47 at Amazon

Why we love it: Patch is a U-shape that easily morphs to the face

Consider: Large patches are sometimes very sticky.

Amount included: 10 | Key Ingredient/s: Hydrocolloid

What You Need To Know

With over 68,000 reviews on Amazon, the Rael Pimple Patches are seriously legit.

The large U-shape is made to contour to the face easily.

These are designed for acne hot spots and clusters, especially around the chin, nose and cheeks.

While relatively expensive per patch, it comes out to be cheaper than say, applying five small patches in the same area.

A happy reviewer writes, “I had a light breakout on my jawline and decided to buy these. I applied to jawline, chin and nose which weren’t even breaking out but I have large pores so I figured why not?

“Those patches were covered in gross white pus and sebum after.

“My skin feels so much better and cleaner and my pores look smaller after a few nights of wearing these! Definitely ordering more.”

Another happy customer added, “These patches have become a quick and easy go-to! I’ve forgotten these overnight and I have no issue, even with sensitive skin!”

SHOP HERE

BEST MICRONEEDLE PIMPLE PATCHES

Peach Slices Deep Blemish Microdarts, $21.44 at Amazon

Why we love it: Made for deep blemishes

Consider: Expensive

Amount included: 9 | Key Ingredient/s: Vitamin B3, salicylic acid, tea tree oil

What You Need To Know

With over 4000 reviews on Amazon, these might be the microdart pimple patches you need.

These pimple patches contain 176 microdarts that self-dissolve deep into the skin targeting early-stage pimples or blemishes.

They are great as overnight patches as they do come on the thicker side, but you can put them under makeup easily for daytime use.

A five-star review wrote, “These tiny dots are amazing. Nearly invisible on your skin and simple to apply.”

Another happy customer agreed, writing: “Fantastic to find a product that really does work well. Had a stubborn cyst-like spot under the skin, used this once and it pulled it all out to the surface in 24 hours.”

SHOP HERE

Rael Pimple Patches, Miracle Microcrystal Spot Cover, $23.99 at Amazon

Why we love it: Made for early stage pimples

Consider: Thicker than your standard pimple patch

Amount included: Nine | Key Ingredient/s: Tea tree oil, willow bark extract, hyaluronic acid. and succinic acid

What You Need To Know

Yes, another Rael Pimple Patches product included on this list and for good reason. These pimple patches are specifically designed to target early-stage pimples, delivering active ingredients that reach deep into the skin before a pimple fully forms.

These feature microcrystal darts that dissolve over time once applied.

A standout ingredient is succinic acid known for its gentle anti-inflammatory properties, helping clear blemishes without irritation.

They also contain willow bark extract which works to unclog pores and is valued for its antibacterial and anti-acne benefits.

One happy shopper wrote, “Very effective, sucks all the gunk out and speeds healing. Would definitely buy again.”

Another raving customer said, “Wasn’t sure about these but used them overnight and they work!”

SHOP HERE

WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN BUYING PIMPLE PATCHES

Ingredients

Look for patches with active ingredients that match your skin’s needs. Popular ingredients include hydrocolloid, tea tree oil, hyaluronic acid and salicylic acid. These are known for their effectiveness in minimising and reducing pimples.

Patch size and shape

Standard round and invisible patches are perfect for single and small pimples.

If you are dealing with a cluster or larger area look for larger patches.

Fun-shaped patches are also available, perfect for adding a pop of colour or playful touch to your skincare routine.

Price

Check the overall price of the pimple patch pack, as well as the cost per use to ensure it fits your skincare budget long term.

Look for bulk packs or bundles for better value without compromising on quality.

Skin sensitivity

If you have sensitive or reactive skin, look for patches that are fragrance-free, hypo-allergenic or dermatologist tested.

Stickiness and Wear Time

A good patch should stick on well enough to stay in place overnight or throughout the day, but not so sticky that it tugs at your skin when removed. Check reviews to see how long they typically stay on especially if you plan to wear them during workouts or under makeup.

HOW WE CHOOSE PRODUCTS

With hundreds of products available, it’s impossible to test every one out there. To help you find the pimple patches we tested a few well-known brands at different price points.

In addition, our shopping team read hundreds of customer reviews and looked at test results and ratings from product review sites to find the pimple patches from premium to budget to help you find the right one for you.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

DO PIMPLE PATCHES REALLY WORK?

Yes – especially if you are dealing with surface level pimples like whiteheads. Most patches are made to draw out pus or fluid and protect the area from additional bacteria while it heals.

WHEN SHOULD YOU APPLY A PIMPLE PATCH?

Use them on clean and dry skin as soon as you notice a pimple forming. For whiteheads you can use a standard pimple patches, but for early stage pimples you can opt for microdart or microneedle patches before the breakout surfaces.

CAN I WEAR PIMPLE PATCHES UNDER MAKEUP?

Yes! Many brands make ultra-thin, clear patches designed specifically to be worn under makeup. Just make sure your skin is clean and dry when applying it.

ARE THEY SAFE FOR SENSITIVE SKIN?

Most pimple patches are made with gentle and non-irritating ingredients and are safe for sensitive skin. But it’s always best to check the ingredients list and look for fragrance free or dermatologist tested products.

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