Best Korean Spot Patch for Acne – Top 5 Pimple Patches for Clear Skin

If you have acne, chances are you’ve embraced the power of pimple/spot patches that can be used to protect your skin, prevent picking and relieve a spot overnight so you can keep looking your best. Although pimple patches only hit the market in true fashion in the 2010s, they’ve been used since the 17th century to keep women feeling empowered and flawless. So, how can a pimple patch help you in the 21st century? Well, the technology (first emerging in earnest out of South Korea) use hydrocolloid mesh that actively helps your skin heal faster and prevent scarring. 

If pimple patches are not part of your acne outbreak care, they are an ideal agent to help clear large pimples and spots and prevent scarring and further damage to your skin. 

Pimple patches are simply little circle cut-outs of ‘hydrocolloid.’ Why do we like hydrocolloid? Well, it’s a gel dressing that molds with the skin biome to help draw out the pus, impurities and fluid from the spot, whilst also hardening and forming a protective barrier. In just one spot cover they: 

- prevent infection and picking of the spot 
- help reduce pimple size by drawing out the fluid 
- maintain hydration to prevent scar formation 
- cools and reduces spot inflammation 

It’s important to place the pimple patch onto dry, clean skin. Although large hydrocolloid bandages can be worn up to a week, it’s best to only wear the small patches for 6-8 hours. 

Step 1: Clean and dry skin thoroughly 
Step 2: Apply small patch carefully over the top of the spot/pimple 
Step 3: Gently tap down edges until firmly secure 
Step 4: Leave patch (overnight or during day) for 6-8 hours. Be sure not to scratch or touch the patch. 
Step 5: Gently remove the patch and face cleanse with soothing cleanser. 

If the spot is quite large, you can remove the patch earlier if it turns white (indicating that it is full of fluid). Keeping an eye out for when your patch turns white is important, as you are able to bring the pimple down quicker. 

Keep replacing the patch until the spot is flat, is no longer red or has stopped ‘weeping.’  

Pimple patches are most ideal for ‘whitehead’ spots, as there’s a point close to the surface that fluid can be drawn out from. They are also really important covers for accidentally popped pimples, helping the spot heal quickly and reducing infection risk. 

Considering that Korean beauty first designed spot patches, they're still very much considered masters of them. K-beauty pimple patches are the best due to their strong adhesion (allowing easy application), wafer thin format (for smooth application underneath make-up) as well as addition of centella and spicules. 

But which is the best of the best? Luckily we have a review team (with acne), who have put a variety of them to the test!

Cosrx was one of the first K-beauty brands on the scene and their original pimple patch design was legendary throughout Seoul. They are thin, adhere throughout the patch and are easy to pop onto trouble spots. They are still excellent, but after plagued by being difficult to find and over-run with copy cats (meaning a lot of them are fake products). If you are after a classic experience, they are still quality pimple patches; but Cosrx has had a lot of trouble supplying the market and competing with plagiarized/falsified products. They still are the classic patch you know and love – but keep an eye out for potential fakes and only buy from reputable suppliers! 

These generously sized spot patches are infused with healing and calming centella extract, creating an easy, soothing duo of hydrocolloid and refreshing botanical extract. It helps cool redness, draw out fluid and reduces the size of spots. It’s a perfect combination for sensitive skin and effective relief. It can require replacement a little quicker than other patches (every 4-8 hours), so keep an eye out for them turning white.

These delicate, lightweight spot patches adhere well and cover patches with easy. Although small, these have a tight seal that draws out moisture quickly and have enhanced healing. They are perfect for quick spots that need to be cleared quickly and gently. Some By Mi formulates products that are perfectly designed for acne-prone skin and these patches are no different. There is a tiny lip that can be noted on make-up application, but they hold tightly and reduce spots overnight. Comes in a pack of 54 for tight, long-lasting protection.

These beloved (ultra-thin) spot patches are older than even Cosrx. They are traditional, gentle on the skin and provide amazing overnight relief. They powerful remove fluid from spots, come in a generous pack and blend easily underneath make-up. With this 72x pack, you will be covered for whatever your skin might throw your way! 

These are probably the best for everyday wear, underneath make-up and for subtle (yet ongoing) care for whiteheads and spots. 

Dealing with rough spots? These patches are expensive, but designed for deep relief of spots. They come with +200 microdarts on each patch and the darts are infused with exfoliating AHA, BHA and PHA. This helps extract the fluid inside much faster and gives great relief of individual spots. If you can pay the price, they are worth it – but best to save for special occasions where you need to relieve a big spot, fast! They are the most advanced pimple patches on the market and help reduce a deep spot overnight.  

Note: these are not for your standard whiteheads, save them for deeper spots that you simple must get rid of quickly! 

Pimple & Spot patches are an amazing addition to your acne routine and help reduce the stress of large spots so much! With careful application, you'll be looking your best every day, regardless of acne outbreaks. Check out our amazing range of spot care treatment, carefully curated on Arktastic!

Need more fabulous Korean beauty tips to always be looking your best? Check out our guide to the best products to soothe acne in K-beauty. Or check out our review of the amazing Numbuzin No.5 serum (spoiler: it's popular for a reason!)