Have you tried hydrocolloid patches for pimples? I haven't tried them for blackheads, this is solely speaking about using them to "treat" whitehead, cystic, hormonal or just a plain old zit.

There are plenty of brands with pimple patches now...they seem to be a trend. I don't think there's any harm that can come form using them, as long as we are talking plain, hydrocolloid pimple patches. As long as the ingredients are just the ingredients in the actual patch, nothing else added, these are a safe bet imo. The ones that I love & will  recommend are the COSRX Acne +Pimple Master Patch (in the red and white packaging. COSRX make others, like the ones for daytime use, in the black and white packaging. The one for daytime use only differ in that they're more of a clear patch, I was quite surprised at how clear they really were. Esp considering the Master Patch is already pretty clear on the skin.
I really love the regular Acne + Pimple Master Patch, these genius patches are my all time favorite & what I'm referring to in the discussion below.
I use the hydrocolloid patches on my hormonal breakouts & contrary to info elsewhere, I use them before they get to a head & they WORK. They will shrink a large pimple, which hasn't been popped or if it doesn't even have a way to pop (to be fair, most of my hormonal flare ups don't form a "head", they are just large, red & cyst like). If I feel one coming or see one, I'll pick at it & more pimples pop up. To avoid this terrible cycle/ pattern, I wash my face with a good cleanser (Youth to the People Superfood Cleanser or Drunk Elephant Beste No.9 Cleanser, both are gel like & water based) then pat dry with a fresh off the roll paper towel ( to avoid any bacteria from cloth/towel) & then apply the pimple patches.
I don't use any other skincare in the area around the pimple in the p.m. or a.m. bc I find that it will spread to the patches, causing them to not stick as well. I always remove them when I wake up, or if they are used in a.m. routine(I like the daytime patches from COSRX or by Hero), I remove around 4,5 p.m. They always help, in every way, no picking is major, but also they reduce size, redness & when I remove them, there is visible sebum that has cleared from pore & is absorbed INTO the gel/hydrocolloid patch. 
I am not a Dr or a Dermatologist, in fact 🤔 , I really wonder what sort of magic wizardry is going on bc they help remove whatever is inside these little monsters & after 1-2 uses, the angry pimple is flat with a pinkish/light red color. They aren't sore anymore, don't itch or burn post use. 
I always remove patches, wash the area well and pat dry. If still not flat/going away/gone, I'll skip the patches until next a.m. or p.m. routine. Again, not a Dr but it seems like you can also suffocate the area if you just keep applying them over and over to same area, so skipping them during a 6-12 hour period, washing & then trying again, I usually have the pimple under control. For post patch, I use a gentle skincare routine with some good BHA or AHA ingredients (my fav for pimples is Salicylic Acid, a BHA & Glycolic Acid, an AHA)in the area until its no longer red & all traces are gone.
By using the COSRX patches, I go from a pimple lasting a week or longer (I pick at them, I can't help it, bad habit & I find myself doing it without even realizing it) to a pimple lasting MAYBE 3 days. More often than not, they are gone within 48 hours of initial application. 
So, yeah I totally recommend these patches, they're completely drug free, cruelty free, ingredients are only what makes up a hydrocolloid patches, no other active ingredients. I don't recommend using the ones with microdarts or micro needles. It just doesn't make sense from a totally logical standpoint. If they pop the pimples and you keep those patches on for a 6 hour time frame, that entire time it is keeping that area "popped" bc the little needles don't go away. If you do want to try these,, make sure to remove these after they've turned white/post "pop". Otherwise it's trapping the puss, blood, bacteria under the patches AND the needles/darts are still there too,. in theory,, this type of patch could be reintroducing the pimple to the junk that it's trying to expel.
Have you seen the HUGE patches being promoted ALOT on TikTok? These are "full face" patches and come 3 to a pack. One for the forehead,  1 for each cheek. These DO NOT seem to be a great idea. Hydrocolloid patches on PIMPLES  work on the same theory that a hydrocolloid patch used for wound care would help a wound/burn. Applying these patches to entire areas of the face is OVERBOARD & completely unnecessary. The hydrocolloid patches aka PIMPLE patches are for pimples, not for large areas. It would be like using a huge surface area band aid for a paper cut. You only need a small little band aid for the paper cut, you didn't cut your entire hand or arm, just one small area. It would be weird to use a much larger band aid for a small area that needs aid.
People that have been using these huge patches are saying that they're breaking out instead of clearing up their face. Again, I'm not a Dr, but covering such a large area assumabley over areas that you have used toner, serums, oils, moisturizer on, it just doesn't make sense to me. It seems that people may be having a reaction to the mixture of face products (plus any natural production of oils in an area) being sealed & completely trapping everything. 
In theory, you want to keep clear skin clear, am I right? Even the best of products, like the fabulous pimple patches, can be overused, which in skincare overuse is worse than underuse! Too much of a good thing isn't a good thing when it comes to your skin, especially on sensitive skin or on your face/neck. Skin does need to "breathe" & using a huge patch over entire forehead is not doing your skin any favors. Same goes with any skincare product, when given recommendations on the amount, it's a guide to prevent OVERUSE, also to let you know so you don't underuse,  but mostly the guide is there to ensure you're using enough to get effects of ingredients without suffocating/drowning your skin in product, which can lead to burning, sensitivity, breakouts, or dry patches. 
Do you use pimple patches? Tell me about your experience! Do you have any experiences with overuse of a product? Pimple patches do come in a variety of sizes, the largest I've used are a lil smaller than the size of your pinky nail. This was for a large cyst like pimples. Once it has calmed down, I would recommend using the normal sized patch & if you have the COSRX patches, they have three sizes,, so if the area is smaller. I say,, use smallest size that still covers your pimple. 
I've included a before and after with the COSRX patches being used in my pm routine, removed then used again in a.m. routine. When I noticed that there was a pimple (or several pimples!), I used the patches twice.In the After photo, it was baout 36 hours post initial application. I had some small, pink spots, but the actual pimples were flattened, much less red & no longer hurting or itching. I didn't have any scabs over the pimples like I usually do. Usually at this point in a pimple life span on my face, I would have popped the pimple & would be noticing scabs where pimples had popped. These were also areas I would continously pick at, prolonging the healing time & leading to potential scars.With the pimple patches, I was unable to touch the pimple, so no scab! 
These things have been life savors, but as always consult your doctor & make sure you don't need something for a different type of acne,, like fungal acne. Also, your Dr may  give you a prescription topical or pill to help control your breakouts, if so, definitely ask them when/if pimple patches could be used. I hope these little magical circles can reign in your pimples & help control the length of time pimples get to take up precious real estate on your skin!

Pimples Be Gone: Lets talk Hydrocolloid patches, do they work, how to use them to clear pimples fastest.

GoPicky

Nothing! I absolutely love this cleanser and it really has helped improve my skin texture, tone, and help tame hormonal breakouts when they occur. The more I use it, the more benefits I see!

Everything! Love that its a water based cleanser and you apply to dry skin. This way, you decide how thick or thing you want the product by adding water after you've massaged it into your skin. This works as a makeup remover and a cleanser, but if you like a double cleanse, their oil based balm cleanser, Dream Cleansing Balm is def all the stuff you would want in a Balm to liquid makeup, spf & build up first step cleanse. No real scent that I can detect and one bottle last a long time. Recyclable packaging & cruelty free brand that's all about encouraging less waste & creating a community based on empowering consumers with information and the ingredients that actually work.
Photos are copyright protected and any unauthorized use of the photos contained herein is strictly prohibited and may be subject to prosecution or legal action. Thanks- Lia aka takeashotgirl99©️

I didnt have any negative experiences with this ampoule! It doesn&#39;t have any added fragrance or any added ingredients that could cause irritation. There is no scent to it at all. It never leaves me feeling greasy and I use it in the morning and at night. Some people get confused about when to use an ampoule in their routine and that may be the only &quot;bad&quot; thing...but that&#39;s just from lack of information about an ampoule product.  An ampoule is like a serum on steroids is how I explain it, it usually targets one issue, or has one main ingredient that is focused on a specific skin need. Instead of using a serum that has AHA, BHA &amp;&#47;or PHA plus extracts, peptides, etc, an ampoule focuses on one of those concerns. I&#39;ve read that when you&#39;re using an ampoule, you shouldn&#39;t follow with a serum that has the same ingredient in it, bc its ingredient overload.  So, with this ampoule, you probably wanna skip using a serum with Centella extract in it, if you use a serum you would want to use one that targets other issues, maybe one that has Lactic acid &amp; peptides, to help strengthen &amp; resurface your skin.

I absolutely LOVE this Centella Asiatica Extract! The ampoule isn&#39;t too thick or too thin making absorption very easy. I do like to use my PMD fave massager tool or my Foreo Luna face massager once I have applied the oil to my face (I use 2 drops on forehead, 1 on each cheek and 2 for my neck) After applying the drops, I spread &amp; press them in with my hands, then use a tool to further massage until fully absorbed (1-2 mins with PMD, 2 cycles with Foreo). 
I use this for post pimple blemishes&#47;discoloration,  red ess, dry patches, fine lines, I&#39;ve also been using it on an old chicken pox scar &amp; a scar above my brow bone. I THINK both scars are looking better after 3 weeks of use...I definitely have seen improvement in redness &amp; irritation for pimples, I don&#39;t use on a pimple until its drained&#47;popped&#47;flat (I use pimple patches whenever I see or feel a pimple coming &amp; once they&#39;ve done their magic, I follow up with this ampoule).
I have loved using this ampoule, it is from a cruelty free brand &amp; only contains the one ingredient,  the Centella Asiatica Extract  from Madagascar. The brand uses sustainably sourced &amp; clean ingredients &amp; the packaging is gorgeous! It comes in a thick glass bottle with a spoid (dropper). It also closes really well, it has a seal at the base of the dropper and it can be a little hard to open, but I like that it&#39;s there because it&#39;s keeping it air tight &amp; if I were to travel with it, I&#39;d feel much better knowing it&#39;s air tight.
Skin 1004 is a new to me brand and they sent some packets of their other products from their Madagascar Centella  line. I haven&#39;t tried them yet but look forward to seeing great results like I have with this ampoule.

This balm to liquid provides an oil based (but non greasy) cleanse as a first step in your double cleanse or can be used alone to remove makeup & other build up. It applies as a balm but quickly turns to a liquid with the help of the warmth from your fingers. Massage into skin, add water to activate. It will turn milky white as you continue to massage across your face. Rinse & wipe with a clean towel to reveal soft skin that is super hydrated & continues to hydrate even after removed. Skin is now ready for dreamstate
.
Ingredient callout:
°3 different weights of Oil Soluble Hyaluronic Acid: provides lasting hydrating effects into the deeper layers of the skin
°Prickly Pear: hydrates, high in amino acids to help sooth skin
°Maqui: one of the Superberry blend, full of antioxidants, defends against enviro toxins 
°Aquai: another of the Superberry blend, rich in omega fatty acids which have been shown to revive dull, dry skin & boost collagen production
°Jojoba Seed Oil: non greasy emollient to hydrate skin, rich in fatty acids to balance skin oil production & soften skin
°Moringa Seed Oil: rich in Vit A, C & E, omegas & antioxidants, it helps melt makeup & keep moisture locked in
.
This velvety smooth balm has a slight berry scent (from natural sources) that can be a one & done. Even if you don't wear makeup, it can be a moisture locking cleanse for anyone. I follow with Superfood Cleanser & it really does make my skin feel super soft, super clean & I think it's helping lock in moisture from other products bc my skin has felt extra smooth & looks more dewy/glowy.
.
For $34, you get 3.35 oz which will last for a long time!

liakilgore