Last Updated on December 5, 2025 by Giorgia Guazzarotti
You know those nights where you wake up and catch yourself staring at the mirror – that stubborn little red bump on your chin, the one that seems to flare up out of nowhere, and you just know it’s going to ruin your morning? Maybe you’ve tried drying lotions or spot creams, but you’re tired of waking up to more irritation or a scabby mess. And now you’re reading this truly acne patches review because you’re hoping for something gentle, effective, and low-effort: a little hack that helps your skin recover overnight without harsh chemicals or peeling.
In the review ahead, I’ll break down the active ingredients, how and why they work (or don’t), what the rest of the glue-up looks like, and what to expect if you actually decide to give them a go – so you (and your skin) aren’t going in blind. Are these great value or not?
Key Ingredients in Truly Acne Patches: What Makes It Work?
HYDROCOLLOID
Hydrocolloid dressing is the secret MVP behind acne patches – it’s the part that makes the patch more like a mini wound-dressing than a typical spot treatment. At its core, hydrocolloid is a water-attracting material (often polymers like carboxymethylcellulose, gelatin, or pectin) that turns into a gel when it contacts fluid from a pimple.
Once you press a patch onto a pimple – ideally one that’s open, has some excess fluid or pus, or is on its way there – the hydrocolloid draws out the liquid, which could be pus, oil, or excess sebum, and traps it inside as it gels up. This does two big things: one, it helps drain and flatten the pimple; two, it locks the area in a moist, protected “healing environment,” which speeds up recovery and reduces the chance of scabbing or scarring. Because the patch creates a physical barrier that shields the spot from bacteria, friction (from pillow or phone), and your own fingers – you know how it goes at 2 a.m.- you’re less likely to accidentally irritate or reopen it.
Potential side effects (or limitations): If your skin is really sensitive, the adhesive or the occlusive nature of the patch might cause dryness, irritation or even mild contact dermatitis. Also, hydrocolloid patches work best on open wounds and pimples that have fluid – if you have a deep, closed cyst or a blackhead, the patch likely won’t do much.
Related: Korean Acne Patches: Why I Am Not A Fan
The Rest Of The Formula & Ingredients
NOTE: The colours indicate the effectiveness of an ingredient. It is ILLEGAL to put toxic and harmful ingredients in skincare products.
- Green: It’s effective, proven to work, and helps the product do the best possible job for your skin.
- Yellow: There’s not much proof it works (at least, yet).
- Red: What is this doing here?!
- Cellulose Gum: This is likely part of the hydrocolloid matrix – a natural-derived polymer that helps the patch form a gel when it meets fluid. It helps the patch absorb the pus/oil and turn it into that clean-looking white “gel” you sometimes see when you take off a patch. Because it’s basically inert and designed for fluid absorption, it’s unlikely to irritate on its own (unless you react to adhesives).
- Hydrogenated Rosin: Rosin (in this hydrogenated form) works as part of the sticky/adhesive base that helps the patch stick to your skin. Without something like this, the patch might just flop off during sleep or when you move. Sticky adhesives sometimes risk mild irritation in sensitive skin – so if you’re prone to redness or contact sensitivity, that may be why.
- Styrene/Isoprene Copolymer: This is another film-forming/adhesive polymer, often used in cosmetics or adhesives to give structure, flexibility and stickiness. In this patch, it helps keep the hydrocolloid and adhesive base together and allow the patch to flex with your skin without cracking. Generally considered inactive on its own, but again, some people might notice sensitivity if they have reactive skin.
- Diethythexyl Adipate: This is a type of emollient/plasticizer – basically, it helps keep the patch flexible and comfortable against the skin, preventing it from being too stiff or brittle. Since you’re hoping to sleep with it on, that flexibility is important.
- Polyurethane-1: This is likely the outer backing film that makes the patch waterproof and protects the blemish from outside bacteria, friction, or moisture.
- Niacinamide: Ah – this one’s interesting. Niacinamide (vitamin B3) is a well-known skincare ingredient that can help regulate oil production, reduce redness and improve skin barrier function. In the context of a patch, it may help calm inflammation, reduce post-zit redness or discoloration, and support healing.
- Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Flower Water: Witch hazel is a plant extract often used for its soothing, astringent and anti-inflammatory properties. In a patch, it may help calm irritation and reduce redness around the blemish while healing. For some people, though, witch hazel can be drying or slightly irritating – especially if used repeatedly on inflamed skin – so that’s something to watch out for.
- Polysorbate 80: This is an emulsifier – essentially, it helps bind and stabilize different components (like water-based and oil-based ingredients) so the patch maintains its texture and doesn’t separate.
- Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-t-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate: Quite a mouthful – this is an antioxidant / stabilizer used to prevent the patch ingredients (especially polymers or oils) from oxidizing and degrading over time. It helps the product last.
Texture
The first thing you notice is that these pimple stickers come in fun shapes. Think heart-shaped or star pimple patches. Cool, right? Plus, they aren’t like those stiff, annoying little stickers that feel like they’re going to yank your skin off. They’re actually soft and bendy, kind of cushiony, and they sit on your face like they belong there. You press one on a pimple and it forms this tiny dome over it, like a little bodyguard just chilling on your skin. And the weirdly satisfying part is that after a few hours it turns white, which is the hydrocolloid doing its thing – basically sucking out all the gross stuff without you having to poke or pick or make it worse.
Fragrance
There’s basically nothing. Like, almost nothing. You might get a tiny plasticky smell when you open the package, but the second it’s on your skin, it’s gone. No perfume, no weird chemical smell, no gag reflex. If you hate scented skincare, this is a blessing because your face isn’t getting assaulted by random smells while you’re trying to sleep.
How To Use It
Clean your face, make sure the spot is dry, slap a hydrocolloid pimple patch on the affected area, and let it do its thing. Honestly, it’s easiest on pimples that have a little whitehead, but even the shallow bumps get a bit of love. Leave it on overnight or for a few hours, peel it off in the morning, and boom – sometimes the pimple looks smaller, sometimes it’s still there but at least it’s calmer, and sometimes you can literally see the white gunk that got sucked up. The best part is you can forget about it; it’s like the patch has your back while you’re trying to sleep. You could wear it during the day, but it’s not invisible – it’s like a subtle little sticker that’s doing work while you go about life.
Packaging
Each patch comes in its own little pouch, which is really convenient because it keeps it clean and stops them from sticking to each other. The box is nothing fancy, just does the job, but I actually like that. It’s organized, nothing falls out, you can toss a couple patches in your bag without them getting ruined. It’s the kind of packaging that doesn’t make you roll your eyes – functional and simple.
Performance & Personal Opinion
Now here’s the deal. For superficial pimples, these things are magic. Overnight, I noticed the bumps flattening a bit and the redness calming down. The white gel inside is satisfying to see, like proof it did something instead of just sitting there. It doesn’t dry out your skin or make it itchy, which is a huge plus. But for deep under-the-skin cysts, it’s basically a sticker. You put it on, go to bed, and the bump is still there in the morning – maybe a little calmer, but not much. Adhesion-wise, these small stickers have some serious sticking power , though if you toss and turn or have oily skin, some patches peel off, which is annoying.
Still, I wouldn’t use them again. Putting anything adhesive on your skin is never a smart idea – the potential for irritation is always there. What I recommend instead? Exfoliate regularly with salicylic acid (also known as beta-hydroxy acid) and use spot treatments with acne-fighting ingredients like benzoyl peroxide or sulfur. If you’re into natural treatments, tea tree oil can work as well. Just make sure you dilute it, or it will irritate your skin. I get this pimple patches
Related: Salicylic Acid VS Benzoyl Peroxide: Which Works Best Against Acne?
What I Like About Truly Acne Patches
- They actually flatten shallow pimples overnight without drying out or wrecking your skin
- You can wear them during the day if you have to, and they’re mostly discreet
- The hydrocolloid gel actually works – you can see the fluid it absorbs, which is kind of satisfying
- No scent, so your skin doesn’t have to deal with random fragrances
- Individually packaged, so it’s hygienic and easy to take on the go
What I Don’t Like About Truly Acne Patches
- They don’t do anything for deep or cystic acne, which is annoying
- Some patches peel off if you move around too much at night
- Small patches so they can’t cover bigger spots properly
- They’re a temporary fix – not a miracle solution for your skin problems
- They create a protective layer that helps speed up the healing process.
Who Should Use This?
- If your active breakouts are those little bumps that pop up and just sit there looking ugly, these patches are perfect.
- They’re also great if you have a habit of picking because the patch basically stops you from doing that.
- Not great for deep or cystic stuff, so don’t get your hopes up.
Does Truly Acne Patches Live Up To Its Claims?
| CLAIM | TRUE? |
|---|---|
| Made with 100% hydrocolloid, our heart pimple patches help extract gunk and absorb bacteria to zap away zits overnight. | Mostly true. It doesn’t zap away zirs overnight. |
| Protects spots against outside bacteria and picking fingers to speed up healing and prevent scarring. | True. |
| With serious sticking power, you can eat, sleep, smile, and laugh without your hearts peeling off. | It’s true they adhere well to the skin, but they won’t last forever. |
Price & Availability
$14.00 at Asos, Boots, Target and Ulta
The Verdict: Should You Buy It?
If you get the small, angry zits that just won’t quit, yes, these can help. They flatten, calm redness, protect the spot, and stop you from picking, which is honestly the most underrated part. They’re not going to save you from deep cysts, but for quick, targeted relief, they’re worth having on hand. And that’s why I still prefer different ingredients that can actually fight acne to these. Salicylic acid & co are the most effective way to treat different types of acne.
