Whether you’ve been battling acne for a while or you’re dealing with a brand new bout of maskne, pimple patches can be an easy way to help those zits heal. And if you’re a fan of the cult-favorite CosRX pimple patches, you’ll be excited to know there’s a leveled-up version available now.
The original CosRX Acne Pimple Master Patch has built up quite a following among skin-care enthusiasts (and SELF testers), thanks to its stickiness, ability to absorb pimple goop, and reasonable price. And the new CosRX Pimple Master Patch Intensive patches improve on the classic format with both new ingredients and a new shape.
In addition to the trademark stickiness and absorption powers of the original, the Intensive patches also contain salicylic acid (a go-to ingredient for treating acne) and tea tree oil (which some research suggests can kill the bacteria involved in acne). They also come in small and large oval shapes, which may efficiently cover more than one zit at once. So while the original hydrocolloid Pimple Master Patch can help keep your skin moisturized and protected while it heals, the Intensive patches come with more ingredients that may actively help treat acne.
There is a lot of variety when it comes to acne patches, and dermatologists aren’t necessarily convinced they can provide unique pimple-fighting benefits, SELF explained previously. But experts do point out that, whatever ingredients the patches contain, they can be helpful for people who have a hard time leaving their pimples alone while they heal. Picking at or squeezing a pimple may feel good, but it doesn’t help the healing process and can make scarring more likely. So if a pimple patch helps you let your acne be, that alone can be quite beneficial.
One thing to keep in mind is that occluding the skin with something like a pimple patch will make any products underneath the patch more potent. So it’s crucial to not put anything under the patches when you use them because doing so could cause irritation—on top of an already irritated pimple.
The new patches officially launched a few months ago and, as of today, they’re available on Ulta and Amazon.
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