The Top 14 Spot Patches Available in the UK for 2024
Spot patches aren’t all the same – they come in all shapes and sizes, each suited for different skincare needs. Some are thin and perfect for daytime wear, while others are packed with acne-fighting ingredients for overnight treatment.
Choosing the right spot patch depends on your skin type, preferences, and lifestyle. They work best on surfaced pimples, especially when used overnight.
Applying a spot patch after gently squeezing a pimple can be more effective and sanitary than leaving it exposed. It draws out impurities and protects the skin, reducing the risk of scarring.
Some of the best patches are infused with acne-fighting ingredients like salicylic acid or a blend of niacinamide, vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, and salicylic acid.
In this article, we’ll guide you through the top spot patches available in the UK, suitable for various budgets and lifestyles.
The Best Spot Patches in the UK:
- COSRX Clear Fit Master Patch
- Zitsticka KILLA KIT Microdart Patch
- By BEAUTY BAY Hydrocolloid Patches
- NIP+FAB Salicylic Acid Fix Spot Patches
- Starface Acne Patches
- Peace out Acne Hydrocolloid Healing Dots
- DERMA V10 Spot Zapper Patches
- COSRX Acne Pimple Master Patch
- Revolution Beauty Powerful Blemish Patches
- Mario Badescu Drying Patch
- Dots for Spots Acne Patches
- Rael Beauty Healing Acne Patches
- Beauty Pie Emergency Pimple Patches
- COSRX Master Patch Intensive
1. COSRX Clear Fit Master Patch
We’re starting strong with this cult favourite, the COSRX Clear Fit Master Patch. This is favoured mostly by make-up wearers because they are the perfect spot patches for under make-up. So, if you are looking for clear spot patches that will protect the pimple from environmental factors, heal the pimple and stop you from picking it, then this may be the spot patch for you. You can find these spot patches in most retailers, such as Boots and Superdrug.
Why we love it: great spot patches for under make-up or general day wear.
2. Zitsticka KILLA KIT Microdart Patch
If you notice that your ‘underground pimples’ take too long to come up to the surface, and you are trying to avoid picking at it then this is the acne patch for you. The KILLA KIT Microdart Patch has tiny microdarts that go deep into your skin and help you get rid of the pimple before it surfaces.
Of all the spot patches listed here, this is the most expensive. However, this is one of the spot patches that work. This is because it has niacinamide, salicylic acid and hyaluronic acid – the best acne-fighting ingredients. You only need to have it on for 2 hours and it makes a difference to the size of your pimple.
Why we love it: works quickly and unlike other patches, it isn’t an overnight spot treatment.
3. By BEAUTY BAY Hydrocolloid Patches
If you are looking for a choice of spot patches that have the best value for money, then we’d suggest these Beauty Bay acne spot patches. For £14 you get 72 hydrocolloid patches of varying sizes.
The hydrocolloid will suck all the gunk out of your spots, flatten it and protect the skin from environmental factors. Beautybay is a UK online retailer, so you can get your pimple patches delivered to your house fairly quickly.
Why we love it: they are inexpensive and effective.
4. NIP+FAB Salicylic Acid Fix Spot Patches
This brand has a cult following and for a good reason. This is the first skincare brand available at places such as Superdrug and Boots that sold skincare products with active ingredients at an affordable price. This spot patch is another NIP+FAB product that is inexpensive and has acne-fighting ingredients such as salicylic acid, which helps prevent future acne breakouts.
Why we love it: accessible and it contains salicylic acid.
5. Starface Acne Patches
These have to be the more popular spot patches of all the options listed here. This is not surprising since they are not only Instagram-worthy but also perfect if you don’t enjoy looking at the gunk of your spot surfacing. The only not-so-great thing is that due to their bright opaque colour, this is not a make-up-friendly spot patch.
However, if you are brave enough you surely could go out with these on during the day. Starface also sells a cute bright yellow case to store the pimple patches, making it very travel-friendly. You can find these spot patches at your local Boots, Superdrug or other UK online retailers such as Beautybay.
Why we love it: these are spot patches that work, are cute and perfect as an overnight spot treatment.
6. Peace out Acne Hydrocolloid Healing Dots
These particular acne patches can be found in Boots, Beautybay and Cultbeauty. This is a more pricey option. However, these are clear spot patches that work because they contain salicylic acid, aloe vera and retinol, which you cannot go wrong with.
Salicylic acid is an effective acne-treatment ingredient, aloe vera will soothe the pimple and retinol is great for pimples because it kills acne-causing bacteria. For make-up wearers, this spot patch is for you due to how thin and clear it is.
Why we love it: contains amazing acne-fighting ingredients.
7. DERMA V10 Spot Zapper Patches
The Derma V10 are also a pretty popular clear spot patches. They are transparent, breathable and contain hydrocolloids to help suck out the gunk from your pimple. The Derma V10 patches are the UK’s most inexpensive patches that are worth mentioning. It may not be the most effective but it does flatten your blemish and help protect it. You can find these on the DERMAV10 website or in-store at Poundland, Savers and Home Bargains.
Why we love it: inexpensive and accessible.
8. COSRX Acne Pimple Master Patch
Another classic with a cult following is these particular COSRX pimple patches. It is well-loved because this is one of those clear spot patches that is guaranteed to remove all the gunk from your spot and flatten it completely. These are also clear spot patches making them perfect to wear during the day. You can find these spot patches in most UK online retailers such as LOOKFANTASTIC or Beautybay. For in-store options, you’ll find these acne patches at Superdrug.
Why we love it: a perfect overnight spot treatment.
9. Revolution Beauty Powerful Blemish Patches
Another inexpensive and really good spot patch is this particular one from Revolution Beauty. These are 10 rectangular and clear spot patches that are perfect for when you have a close cluster of spots to treat. These are great as an overnight spot treatment and they contain salicylic acid which helps to reduce breakouts and tea tree oil an anti-inflammatory ingredient to soothe and heal pimples.
Why we love it: large spot patches that cover large areas, great as an overnight spot treatment.
10. Mario Badescu Drying Patch
This is a more optimal choice of acne patches for daytime wear. It is clear and thin and it has the right ingredients to treat your spots. These Mario Badescu spot patches have salicylic acid to clear out the acne-causing bacteria and prevent future breakouts.
It has niacinamide which helps with regulating sebum production. Hyaluronic acid, which is a humectant that will help prevent scaring and hydrate the skin. For £17 you get 60 pimple patches on the cultbeauty website. This is one of those spot patches that work by simultaneously soothing and protecting your pimple.
Why we love it: great value for money with acne-fighting ingredients.
11. Dots for Spots Acne Patches
The Dots for Spots claim that their spot patches can be used on the face and body. If you tend to get back acne, you can apply these patches on your back pimples as an overnight spot treatment. This clear spot patch is also very thin, making it suitable to wear during the day time or under make-up. These are 100% hydrocolloid patches, so you’ll be able to protect your pimples from environmental factors and flatten your pimple.
If you have sensitive skin, the Dots for Spots Acne Patches may be more suitable for you since they do not contain any harsh chemicals. In the UK, you can find these spot patches at Urban Outfitters UK for £8 and you get 24 patches.
Why we love it: inexpensive and great for sensitive skin types.
12. Rael Beauty Healing Acne Patches
The Rael pimple patches have to be the best value-for-money patches on this list. For £15 you get a pack of 96 spot patches of varying sizes. This patch isn’t the best for daytime wear or for under make-up because it is not thin enough. However, it is bound to remove the impurities from your pimple due to it containing the hydrocolloid ingredient. So, it works. You can find these on Amazon.
Why we love it: great value for money.
13. Beauty Pie Emergency Pimple Patches
The Beauty Pie Emergency Pimple patches have microdarts to help penetrate its acne-fighting ingredients into your skin for faster and more effective treatment. Out of all the spot patches listed here, this one is the most underrated. These patches contain salicylic acid which will help eliminate the bacteria that cause acne and unclog your pores.
Whilst niacinamide helps to rebalance your oil production and madecassoside is an anti-inflammatory to help soothe your pimples. In the UK, you can find these patches on the Beauty Pie website for £30 and you get 16 patches. However, if you are a member of Beautypie, these patches become £12.
Why we love it: contains fantastic acne-fighting ingredients.
14. COSRX Master Patch Intensive
This acne patch brand is very popular for a very good reason. Its cult following is due to it being a staple in a lot of people’s skincare routine, it simply works. This particular acne patch isn’t that different from the previous COSRX patches listed here.
The master patch is just thicker and a more intense version meant to remove all the gunk from even the most stubborn spots faster. These spot patches also have tea tree oil and salicylic acid, which are amazing acne-fighting ingredients. So not only is it protecting your spot from environmental factors, but the tee tree oil soothes it and the salicylic acid helps to rebalance your skin’s sebum production.
Why we love it: clear spot patches with acne-fighting ingredients.
Final Thoughts…
Now, which spot patches have piqued your interest? The ones listed here are all spot patches that work. However, your skin type, lifestyle and personal preference will largely impact which spot patches you like best. For example, if you are a daily make-up wearer with normal skin you may enjoy the COSRX Clear Fit Master Patch. If you have sensitive skin, the Dots for Spots acne patches might suit your skin best.
Remember that most if not all spot patches work best on freshly squeezed pimples, and sometimes on spots that have formed a whitehead. It is always best to apply them after your cleansing routine. You can apply the spot patch after or before moisturising, this all comes down to personal preference.
However, for stronger adhesion and noticeable results, it is best to apply spot patches before moisturiser. Unfortunately, spot patches do not work on cystic acne. If you suffer from this it is best to get in touch with a dermatologist.