Acne Patches: Real Solution or Beauty Trend?

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1. What is an acne patch and what does it do?
2. The patch I tested: “Some By Mi – Clear Spot Patch”
   1. A Few Words About Some By Mi
3. What are the benefits of Some By Mi patches?
   1. Ingredients in the Some By Mi Patches
   2. How to Use
4. My Experience with the Clear Spot Patch
   1. Patch on the Skin (Photos)
   2. Pimple Progress in Pictures
   3. Discretion Under Makeup: Before/After
5. Would I repurchase and recommend this patch?
6. Patches with or without actives: What’s the difference?

Acne patches have been popping up on social media for a few years now, and they’re becoming more and more popular.

We’ve all seen celebrities walking around with little patches on their faces, confidently showing off a treatment to hide their blemishes. But these patches promise not just to conceal imperfections, but also to treat them. So, as a skincare enthusiast, I wanted to test them out: Are these patches really effective? Can they conceal and treat a pimple at the same time? And most importantly, how long does it take to see results?

I decided to give it a try for you!

What is an acne patch and what does it do?

Acne patches are discreet bandages, usually hydrocolloid, that absorb sebum and impurities from pimples while creating a protective barrier. This helps reduce irritation and prevents bacteria and dirt from entering the skin. The goal? To dry out the pimple more quickly and promote a cleaner, scar-free healing process.

They are particularly popular in South Korea and are now available in many skincare brands. Some patches are enriched with active ingredients like BHA or benzoyl peroxide, which are well-known for their acne-fighting properties, but classic hydrocolloid patches don’t always contain these. Let’s take a look at how it works with the patch I tested.

The patch I tested: “Some By Mi – Clear Spot Patch”

The patch I tested is the SOME BY MI – Clear Spot Patch, a Korean product from the brand Some By Mi. Although I had never heard of this brand, I knew it was well-regarded in Korea, especially for its products aimed at problem skin. The price was really what convinced me to try it: about €3.95 for 18 patches in different sizes. No need to think twice to give it a go!

A Few Words About Some By Mi

Some By Mi is a Korean brand known for using natural ingredients and powerful actives. It’s particularly famous for products targeting problem skin (acne, scars, pores). Its most popular range, 30 Days Miracle, focuses on ingredients like AHA*, BHA**, and PHA*** to exfoliate, purify, and refine skin texture. The brand is especially famous for its AHA-BHA-PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner, which sells every three seconds!

I didn’t know the brand before, but this patch seemed like a good solution to test without breaking the bank.

What are the benefits of Some By Mi patches?

The Clear Spot Patch from Some By Mi is a hydrocolloid patch. In simple terms, it absorbs sebum and impurities from pimples while creating a protective barrier against external aggressions. The patches are very thin and can be worn discreetly under makeup, making them easy to wear throughout the day.

Ingredients in the Some By Mi Patches

The key ingredients in these patches are:

• Cellulose Gum: A thickening and stabilizing agent that helps absorb excess sebum and promotes healing.
• Hydrogenated Poly (C6-20 Olefin): An ingredient that makes the patch flexible, so it adheres well to the skin.
• Polyisobutene: A binding and adhesive agent that keeps the patch in place while retaining moisture.
• Styrene/Isoprene Copolymer: A copolymer that makes the patch elastic and durable.

These ingredients help the patch stick, stay flexible, and absorb impurities. However, it does not contain active ingredients for treating acne deeply, like BHA or benzoyl peroxide. Its primary function is to protect and dry out the area.

How to Use

. After cleansing your skin, apply the clear patch to the affected area before applying any other skincare products. Make sure your skin is clean and dry for the patch to adhere properly.

. Leave it on for 4 to 8 hours, or until it turns white due to the absorption of sebum.

. For external use only.

. Store unused patches in the plastic pouch and keep it sealed to maintain freshness.

. Discontinue use if irritation occurs and consult a doctor.

My Experience with the Clear Spot Patch

I applied the patch on a pimple located on my chin, near my lip, making sure not to use tretinoin or azelaic acid for this test. The goal was to see how long the pimple would take to dry out without any other active ingredients so I wouldn’t bias the results. First observation: When applied to a flat surface like the cheek, the patch sticks well. However, on areas with more movement (chin, nose) or curves, it tends to peel off more easily, especially when eating or talking.

One of the benefits is that it’s almost invisible. Under makeup, it’s supposed to be undetectable, but in reality, even with makeup, the patch was visible up close. However, from a distance, it could go unnoticed more easily. It really depends on the texture of your skin and the type of makeup you use.

On my wrist (to test adhesion), the patch stuck well, but on my chin, it wasn’t as perfect.

Regarding the results, I noticed that the pimple dried out faster than if I left it untreated, but not as fast as when I use active ingredients like tretinoin. For me, the main benefit of this patch is its protective function, which prevents you from touching or contaminating the area.

Patch on the Skin (Photos)

On the hand or wrist, the patch is really discreet. On the wrist, it sticks really well since it’s a flat area with minimal movement, so it stays in place. On the hand, even though it’s not as securely attached, it still remains practically invisible!

Pimple Progress in Pictures

Here’s my spot on day one (just after it appeared). This breakout showed up after my experiment with 10% urea and tretinoin, which I discuss here. It appeared along with a bunch of smaller spots, but this one was the largest. So, I decided to test the patches to see if they would really dry it out. In the photo on the right, I just washed my face and applied the patch without any other products.

Each day, I applied a patch and left it on for about 8 hours. I followed this routine from Friday to Sunday, without makeup or any other products on my face. Since I stayed home, I was able to keep the patch on for the full 8 hours each time.

In the photo on the left, you can see the spot the next day; there’s a bit less pus, but it’s still quite red and a little sore; it still feels ‘fresh.’

On the right, it’s two days later. I continued using the patch each day, though I didn’t take photos every time. This photo shows the spot after two days of using the patch.

And finally, in this photo, it’s the third day of using the patch. The spot is completely dried out: no more pus, no more redness, and it’s now completely flat. After three days of using the patch, this is the result I got.

Discretion Under Makeup: Before/After

In these photos, I wanted to show how the patch looks with makeup on top. In the photo on the right, you can see the mark left by the patch after I removed it, to clearly show that there was makeup applied. The patch is still visible under makeup, so it’s not exactly discreet… but maybe that’s still better than a spot, right?

Would I repurchase and recommend this patch?

Honestly, no. Personally, I need a product that actively treats pimples and works quickly. I’d recommend looking for patches with active ingredients like BHA, which works deep down to combat inflammation and prevent acne from spreading.

Hydrocolloid patches are effective for pimples that are already on the surface or have been popped, as they promote healing. But if you’re looking for a complete acne treatment, it’s better to opt for a patch with actives or a targeted treatment.

Patches with or without actives: What’s the difference?

It’s important to understand the difference between hydrocolloid patches and those enriched with active ingredients. Hydrocolloid patches, like the Some By Mi one, don’t treat acne deeply. They simply dry out pimples by absorbing sebum and promoting healing. They are perfect for pimples that are already on the surface.

On the other hand, patches containing actives like BHA (salicylic acid) or benzoyl peroxide go deeper into the treatment of acne by regulating sebum production, unclogging pores, and eliminating bacteria. If you’re looking for a product that combats acne at the source, it’s better to opt for patches with these ingredients.

In summary, hydrocolloid patches like the Clear Spot Patch from Some By Mi are convenient for protecting a pimple from the outside and preventing you from touching it constantly. However, when it comes to drying out the pimple, I wasn’t super impressed: with tretinoin, I saw much faster results. It’s useful if you want to leave the pimple alone and limit the risk of infection, but it won’t drastically speed up the healing process.

And for camouflaging under makeup, it’s not ideal either, depending on your skin texture and the makeup type, the patch can remain a bit visible.

In conclusion, it’s great to use at home to avoid touching your pimple, but don’t expect much in terms of drying it out!

See you soon, Beautifully Moi!