Soothing and gentle: 7 pimple patches for sensitive skin

Pimple patches are a miracle of modern convenience, but when you have sensitive skin, traditional pimple patches can prove to be too drying or even irritating. 

But there's no need for tears because there are a handful of pimple patches on the market with gentle formulas, that are full of soothing ingredients, and which help to minimise the effects of traditional breakout-busting serum ingredients for pimples such as salicylic acid or even retinol. 

Regardless of whether you're dealing with a stubborn pimple that just won't seem to budge or a monthly visit from Aunt Flo has left you with hormonal breakouts, slapping on a pimple patch might just be the ticket to a clearer complexion. 

Want to get better acquainted with pimple patches for sensitive skin? Explore BEAUTYcrew's recommendations ahead...

2024's Top 3 Best Pimple Patches For Sensitive Skin

1. COSRX Clear Fit Master Patch, $7.49, Amazon Australia
2. ZitSticka KILLA™ Kit Deep Zit Microdart Patch Kit, $42.99, Priceline
3. Starface Hydro-Stars, $21.25, Beauty Bay

COSRX Clear Fit Master Patch
from $7.49 at Amazon Australia

Non-drying with a matte clear finish, COSRX's pimple patches are hard to spot, but their work is anything but inconspicuous. Each patch is made from hydrocolloid, which extracts impurities from the skin, reduces inflammation, and creates a barrier to prevent bacteria from penetrating the pimple site. 

Key features:

Non-drying
Matte clear finish
Extracts impurities
Reduces inflammation
Creates an anti-bacterial barrier
Can be worn under makeup
Contains 18 patches

Available at:

• $7.49 from Amazon Australia
• $7.90 from Adore Beauty
• $7.90 from Look Fantastic

ZitSticka KILLA™ Kit Deep Zit Microdart Patch Kit
from $42.99 at Priceline

Perfect for getting to those hard to reach pimples, ZitSticka's micro-dart pimple patches penetrate the skin and dissolve over time to release a combination of pore-clearing salicylic acid, soothing niacinamide, anti-bacterial oligopeptide-76, and hydrating hyaluronic acid.

Key features:

Self-dissolving micro-darts
Comes with salicylic acid soaked cleaning swabs
Contains niacinamide, oligopeptide-76 and hyaluronic acid
Targets pimples under the skin that haven't come to a head
Contains eight patches and eight cleansing swabs

Available at:

• $42.99 from Priceline
• $44 from Amazon Australia

Starface Hydro-Stars
from $21.25 at Beauty Bay

You've probably spotted one of these happy little yellow stars on the faces of some of your favourite celebrities. Besides being cute, the viral pimple patches are made from 100 per cent hydrocolloid to effectively draw out impurities and form a barrier from external bacteria. Plus, the patches packaging can be reused and refilled with new patches when you run out. 

Key features:

Contains 32 patches
100 per cent hydrocolloid
Extracts impurities
Creates an anti-bacterial barrier
Comes with a reusable and refillable patch box

Available at: 

• $21.25 from Beauty Bay
• $24.63 from Revolve
• $37.20 from Amazon Australia

Hero Mighty Patch Invisible + 24 Pack
from $9.99 at Chemist Warehouse

Suitable for sensitive skin, this nearly invisible pimple patch gently absorbs gunk and acts as a shield to prevent bacteria from infiltrating the site to minimise the appearance of white heads.

Key features:

Suitable for sensitive skin
Contains 24 patches
Absorbs excess sebum and oil
Protects the skin from bacteria
Suitable for the treatment of whiteheads

Available at:

• $9.99 from Chemist Warehouse
• $11 from Amazon Australia
• $23.44 from iHerb

Petitfee Centella Clearing Spot Patch
from $4.03 at iHerb

Simultaneously soothing and blemish reducing, this set of pimple patches has been infused with a potent blend of tea tree leaf oil, salicylic acid and three kinds of centella extracts. 

Key features:

Infused with tea tree leaf oil, salicylic acid and three kinds of centella extracts
Contains 23 patches
Translucent
Waterproof
Comes with two sizes (10 mm and 12 mm)

Available at:

• $4.03 from iHerb

tbh Skincare Patch It Up Everyday Pimple Patches
from $19.95 at tbh Skincare

tbh's patches are no-nonsense with an ascorbic acid, tea tree oil, niacinamide and salicylic infused hydrocolloid formula, plus they come in a range of sizes to easily treat the tiniest or massive breakouts.

Key features:

Contains 72 patches
Ascorbic acid corrects post breakout pigmentation
Tea tree oil reduces redness and swelling
Niacinamide soothes damaged skin
Salicylic acid removes congestion

Available at:

• $19.95 from tbh Skincare
• $19.95 from Priceline
• $19.95 from Adore Beauty

Sand & Sky Dual Action Blemish Patches
from $21.75 at Adore Beauty

Designed to treat pimples when they first start to appear and when they come to a head, this pack comes with two types of patches. The first is infused with antimicrobial Australian tea tree oil and the second extracts the last of a whitehead.

Key features:

Contains 78 patches
Two different pimple patches to treat early stage and late stage white heads
Can be worn under makeup
pH-balanced formula with 24 hours soothing effect
Protective hydrocolloidal seal promotes skin healing
Minimises redness

Available at:

• $21.75 (usually $29) from Adore Beauty
• $29 from MYER
• $29 from Sand & Sky

Are pimple patches good for sensitive skin?

If you have sensitive skin it's important to select a pimple patch with a gentle formula or that lists soothing ingredients on the inkey list, as some of the ingredients traditionally contained within pimple patches can dry out skin and cause irritation. However, if you know you have an adhesive allergy, we'd suggest finding an alternative to pimple patches to bust your breakouts.

Which pimple patches are most effective?

It really depends on the kind of pimple you have. Most pimple patches are best for late stage pimples or pimples that have burst as they help to draw out excess sebum, oil and bacteria, as well as create a seal over the broken skin to prevent bacteria getting in. Pimple patches with micro darts can be used to help create channels in the skin, so that the ingredients from the pimple patch can work their magic on pimples that are in their early stages and haven't come to a head yet. 

Main image credit: @starface

We're not the only ones who love pimple patches, Madelaine Petsch swears by pimple patches for flawless skin.