What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
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Benefits
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Ingredients Side-by-side
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Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Hydrocolloid is not an INCI ingredient. It's a soft, gel-forming material that got its start in hospital wound care.
A typical hydrocolloid layer is coated with a mix of gelatin, pectin, xanthan gum, carrageenan, and Sodium Carboxymethylcellulose (the parts that soak up fluid) into a sticky rubber base, and then pressed into a thin film backing.
When you stick it on an open or "popped" pimple, these polymers pull in the fluid and turn it into a gel. This helps keep the spot moist and creates a barrier against outside bacteria. Plus, there's some UV blocking as well so the spot is less likely to leave a dark mark.
The current research is small but encouraging. A 2006 study found hydrocolloid dressings on acne lesions:
A 2024 manufacturer study in 41 subjects aged 12-35 showed patches significantly improved the appearance of popped pimples by Days 1 and 4, with improvements in smoothness, crusting, redness, size, and dryness.
Another 2025 trial on a related hydrogel patch reported a 35% reduction in lesion size and a 44% improvement in lesion severity by Day 2 versus the control group.
Just remember patches mostly help surface whiteheads; they generally cannot treat blackheads and do not help deeper cystic or persistent hormonal acne. There are a few case reports that link rosin-based tackifier in some dressings to contact dermatitis as well.
Because it is a patch, there's no meaningful "usage percentage".
The adhesive itself is usually 50-70% hydrocolloid powders with the rest as elastomer.
Learn more about Hydrocolloid
