Dermatologists reveal whether celebrity-loved pimple patches are actually BAD for your skin

Forget that goopy zit cream that you used to pack on when you had a pimple - there's something new on the market that seems to be a favorite with A-list celebs like Hailey Bieber, Addison Rae and Florence Pugh. 

Pimple patches are the must-have accessory these days, cropping up on people's faces in a variety of fun colors and even adorable shapes like hearts, flowers and stars to look like stickers. 

Embarrassing pimple spot creams and pastes have been left in the dust, and instead, these popular patches are lining the shelves of both beauty giants Sephora and Ulta. 

Kim Kardashian and her 11-year-old daughter, North West, even gushed about the product and stuck some on their faces in a recent video posted to their joint TikTok account. 

But before you spend your money on them, what exactly do these pimple patches do - and are they even good for your skin? 

To find out more about the trendy, must-have skincare item, FEMAIL consulted two top dermatologists to learn what's really going on underneath that star-shaped covering. 

What are pimple patches, and what do they do? 

According to Rhode Island-based dermatologist Dr. Tiffany Libby, most pimple patches are made of something called hydrocolloid.

She explained to DailyMail.com that hydrocolloid is simply 'a moisture-retentive material that creates a moist environment to promote healing.'

And, strangely enough, it's not a new thing either - even though its marketing may be.

'These types of dressings, hydrocolloid dressings, have been used in medical settings for wound care for years,' Dr. Libby said. 

The dermatologist shared that the patches, which are meant to clear up blemishes on the skin, provide two 'main' benefits: absorption and protection.

'These patches absorb excess fluid, such as pus and oil from the pimple helping to flatten it and reduce inflammation,' Dr. Libby said. 

Plus, they will help to protect the pimple from any external bacteria, grime and from touching and picking at it. 

Are pimple patches good for your skin, and when should you be using them? 

The good news is that pimple patches are beneficial for the skin - so long as they're applied to clean skin, according to Dr. Libby.

Mississippi-based dermatologist Dr. Lindsay Zubritsky, who goes by @dermguru on social media, agreed. 

'Depending on how the pimple patches are made and what ingredients are in them, they can be very effective at reducing the size and healing time of a pimple,' Dr. Zubritsky explained to DailyMail.com. 

And, it doesn't matter what time of the day you choose to stick these on, but it's usually recommended to keep them on for at least 12 to 24 hours, Dr. Zubritsky said. 

They can be effective at all times of day, whether its morning, night or even the afternoon. 

'In the morning, you can apply the patch and then apply makeup over it, and in the evening it helps provide a barrier and protection against inadvertent nighttime picking,' Dr. Libby suggested. 

What kind of pimples will these patches work best on?

While pimple patches may be totally fine for your everyday blemish, you may want to be wary of sticking them on to any cystic pimples that may pop up on your skin.

Cystic pimples are a kind of inflammatory acne that forms blemishes deep into the skin, per Cleveland Clinic, and can prove to be extremely painful.

These spots can occur when bacteria, oil and dead skin cells are trapped deep in the hair follicles.

And, unfortunately, when it comes to cystic pimples, a cloud-shaped or neon pimple patch may not be the answer to your problem.

'I am not a huge fan of using pimple patches for cystic acne,' Dr. Zubritsky admitted. 

'Cystic acne is deep and underneath the skin, so a superficial pimple patch won't significantly address these type of zits or make a huge difference,' she said.

However, the dermatologist noted that if your cystic pimple has a lot of fluid, the hydrocolloid can help.

It's also an effective way to keep your hands off the area, Dr. Libby added, as picking at cystic acne can cause scarring. 

But if you have blackheads or whiteheads on your face, which can occur from clogged pores and hair follicles, pimple patches may just be the answer.

Both dermatologists recommended using a medicated pimple patch that contain acne-fighting ingredients like salicylic acid for these bumps.

Salicylic acid can help to keep your pores clean and clear, and exfoliates the skin, per Healthline.

When to ditch the pimple patches and see a doctor instead

While these acne stickers may do the trick for some of your blemishes, it's important to know when to ditch them in the trash and see a doctor instead. 

'If the patches and OTC topicals are not working to clear your acne or prevent breakouts, see a board-certified dermatologist as more aggressive treatment might be needed such as prescription topicals and/or oral medications,' Dr. Libby told DailyMail.com.

'Do not wait to treat your acne, as acne scarring can occur from persistent acne, and is much more difficult, costly, and involved to treat in the long run.'