If you deal with acne, you've most likely tried a pimple patch at some point in your life. To be honest, it took me a while to find pimple patches that actually worked for me, but once I did, they were a game changer. Special shout-out to Hero Cosmetics' Mighty Patches ($11) for getting me through some rough times.
What I never imagined, though, was that we'd soon have a handy little device or two that combines the concentrated powers of a pimple patch with LED light therapy. If you aren't super familiar with LED light therapy, it's a great modality for your skin that can reduce inflammation, kill acne-causing bacteria, and even stimulate collagen production. I absolutely swear by it and own several LED light therapy masks that I love. The newest LED offerings we're now seeing come in a size that's designed to target smaller areas of the face.
I tried out one of these LED pimple patches to see if they're worth investing in. For this little experiment, I decided to give Riki Loves Riki's Miracle Patch ($79) a go. This patch combines both red and blue light, which are the best wavelengths for acne since they work together to kill acne-causing bacteria on the skin and bring down inflammation and redness. It's super easy to use and definitely comes in handy if you have a massive cystic pimple or two you want to get rid of fast. I'm sharing my thoughts on the device below.
Like I said above, it took me a while to even get into pimple patches at all. Most nights, I like to just dab on a spot treatment if I need it, but this new high-tech version of a pimple patch piqued my interest. This patch has a self-timer that automatically shuts off after six minutes, so it's easy to incorporate into your daytime or nighttime skincare routine.
I added it to my nighttime routine for a few days just to see if it would help with a particularly angry zit on my jawline. It took a few days, but it did shrink significantly. I love that this is easy to use and rechargeable. It can also help with a cluster of smaller pimples if you have problem areas. While it is nice for that, I think I prefer a whole mask to a patch just because I feel like my entire face is getting more of a treatment rather than one little area. This is great to have handy for any stubborn zits that are healing slower than you would like, and it can be used in conjunction with other acne therapies like a benzoyl peroxide spot treatment.
It is a little bit pricey for a pimple patch, so keep that in mind. I can say that it definitely worked for me and would be worth the investment if you struggle with hormonal breakouts or just want something fast that's going to work.
More Acne-Fighting Products I Love
Bubble's spot treatment is truly a gift when hormonal acne flares up for me. It does take a couple of nights to fully dissolve a zit, but it's worth having in your arsenal when it's only $12.
If your skin is too sensitive to handle exfoliating all the time, try this clay mask instead. It really helps clear out congestion in the pores without being overly harsh.
This is a spendier option, but SkinBetter Science products work. This night serum is designed to clear congestion but also treats fine lines and dark spots at the same time.
This probiotic-rich serum targets only acne-causing bacteria and promotes a healthier skin microbiome overall. I've been using it for almost a year, and my skin has changed for the better. Skin heals faster and appears healthier overall.
Mighty Patches are some of the only pimple patches I've found to be effective. I'm always stunned by how much a pimple has gone down in the morning after using one. Sometimes, it clears it up altogether.
This Holifrog mask is nothing short of amazing. It does tingle a bit upon application—so much so that I was a bit worried it might be too strong for my skin. Luckily, it was just what the doctor ordered. I had a horrible breakout after trying a new product (life of an acne-prone beauty editor), and I totally panicked until this mask cleared it up the next day. That basically never happens, so to say I was impressed is an understatement.
This tried-and-true favorite never lets me down. It isn't so strong that you can't use it daily, and it's highly effective in smoothing texture and clearing up breakouts.
This gentle spot treatment from Renée Rouleau is another one I swear by. It's packed with gentle exfoliant lactic acid to break up congestion in any stubborn zits. It doesn't sting or burn, and you can apply it multiple times throughout the day.
Glycolic acid is another effective AHA that's gentle on the skin and helps smooth out texture. Tasmanian pepperberry in this formula also helps calm inflammation and redness associated with acne.
