Pimple patches are small stickers made with a slightly gummy wound-healing gel called hydrocolloid. Larger versions are marketed as “ blister bandages,” but they’re all designed to do the same thing: Help your skin heal faster.

What are Pimple Patches? Pimple patches are little stickers made from hydrocolloid (some are infused with other acne-fighting ingredients like salicylic acid) that work to absorb fluid and reduce inflammation to help skin heal faster.

A pimple patch is a type of wound dressing called a hydrocolloid patch that is effective for protecting pimples and speeding the healing process. Some pimple patches may contain additional ingredients to promote healing. If you have sensitive skin, be cautious and start with hydrocolloid only.

More specifically, they’re acne stickers that are also known as acne or pimple patches. Basically, these are an old-school wound dressing. “Acne patches are made from hydrocolloid material. Hydrocolloid consists of gelatin or pectin,” says Debra Jaliman, MD, a New York City–based dermatologist and the author of Skin Rules.

Pimple patches, or hydrocolloid dressing, are tiny bandages that stick to the skin, promoting quicker healing by providing a moist environment for the pimple and protecting it from the elements. Not only do they prevent you from picking at your acne, but they also help treat zits and can even provide a smooth layer underneath makeup.