Road Test: I tried 9 different spot treatments to see what actually works
IMAGE VIA MECCA
WORDS BY India Curtain
Zap your next zit.
We all know the struggle. Your makeup comes off after a long day, only to reveal a surprise pimple that has spontaneously appeared in the middle of your cheek. At first, you think, ‘How the heck did that get there?’. Which is followed very closely by, ‘How am I going to get rid of this?’.
As an acne-prone girlie who has been through the ins and outs of dermatology, medication and home remedies, I’m always on the hunt for the best quick fix for those pesky red spots to regain my confidence at work, uni and social situations.
We like nosy people. Don’t be shy, head to our Beauty section for more.
Dermatologist Dr Ahmad Chaudhry of Scandinavian Biolabs tells me that spot treatments, when used correctly, are effective ways to target individual or small clusters of pimples.
“These products contain active ingredients that work by penetrating the skin’s surface and addressing the underlying causes of acne, including excess oil production, inflammation and bacterial overgrowth,” he says.
It’s also important to note that the effectiveness of spot treatments can vary depending on an individual’s skin type and the severity of their acne. Dr Chaudry explains they’re not a cure and should be used as part of a comprehensive skincare routine that includes cleansing, moisturising and sun protection.
While holistic skincare and lifestyle are the foundations of healthy skin, the odd pimple can always slip through the cracks, calling for a more direct and urgent approach. I road-tested nine different spot treatments – from pimple patches to drying lotions, gels and creams – to help you decide what’s going to best help minimise a breakout. To save you from dropping cash on anything that doesn’t cut it, here’s my honest review of some of the current bestsellers.
Skin Control Pimple Patches AM/PM
View this post on Instagram
Price: $7.99
Star rating: 3.5/5
The cheap-and-cheerful option I always have on hand, Skin Control AM/PM patches are your trusty partner for a mid-level acne breakout. This pack comes with two different sheets of hydrocolloid patches: invisible daytime dots and thick nighttime ones. These dots contain tea tree oil and act like a protective cover to absorb whiteheads and protect your skin from dirt.
To be honest, I found the daytime patches quite obvious and never had the guts to wear them as I went about my day. I found after pushing past just a few hours of wearing one, they would fall off or have no effect at all.
The real winners, however, are the PM patches. These have been a common saviour in my nighttime routine, staying on all night and absorbing excess oil that is satisfyingly gross to witness. These patches are found at Chemist Warehouse, but I recommend buying the PM Patches by themselves.
Get it here.
Cosrx Acne Pimple Master Patch
View this post on Instagram
Price: $7.90
Star rating: 5/5
When I saw this little hack on my TikTok feed, I ran to Amazon. These pimple patches, which come in a pack of 24 different-sized dots, aim to protect the covered area from getting worse while it heals. Similar to the Skin Control AM/PM product, the Cosrx Acne Pimple Master Patch is made from hydrocolloid, a type of wound dressing that creates an insulating environment for the affected area to draw out excess moisture.
I found these little dots super effective, both during the day and overnight. They’re fast-acting, cost-effective and stay put for long periods of time. My only fault would be that the smallest patch isn’t the best size, as my skin is normally crying out for a more generous shape to save the day. Sometimes I can go through half a pack during the night, but this spot treatment is perfect for reducing that odd rapidly-appearing bump.
Get it here.
Evidence Skincare Spotless Pimple Patches
View this post on Instagram
Price: $36
Star rating: 4/5
These pimple patches are what I can only describe as the ‘big guns’ of spot treatments. Concealed behind layers of packaging, and for $4.50 per patch, I was desperate to make good use of these dots. I saved them for my most difficult acne contenders and they did not disappoint.
Each patch has 300 dissolving hyaluronic acid microneedles which have anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. Evidence Skincare co-founder, Dr Ginni Mansberg, explains that microneedles have a twofold purpose. The tiny needles are often less than one millimetre long and puncture the skin.
They act to traumatise the skin, stimulating healing, while also working to get past the skin barrier and deliver acne-fighting ingredients deeper into the epidermis. These patches helped reduce the largest, angriest-looking warriors on my face. They’re on the pricier side, so I’d definitely use them sparingly.
Get it here.
Mecca Max Spot Dots Microtip Targeted Blemish Busting Patches
View this post on Instagram
Price: $36
Star rating: 4.5/5
New to the Mecca skincare range, the Microtip Spot Dots are created to target blind and early-stage pimples with salicylic and hyaluronic acids. These patches aim to save us from experiencing the anguish of pimples at their worst.
They have 60 dissolving micro tips that not only fight under-the-skin pimples but also soothe and moisturise the spot for quicker healing. I saw some great results with these patches, helping avoid some potential crises before they struck. Compared to regular patches, the Microtip Spot Dots visibly reduce the bumps in a few days.
Get it here.
Mario Badescu Drying Lotion
View this post on Instagram
Price: $27
Star rating: 4/5
Drying lotions do pretty much exactly what their name suggests – dry up your pimples. Most useful in the peak stages of a pimple or breakout, this overnight treatment uses salicylic acid and sulphur to remove bacteria and oil from surface blemishes.
It’s important to only use this product on these developed pimples, as using it too generously can cause flaking and increased sensitivity. The Mario Badescu drying lotion is great for those annoying spots that have overstayed their welcome, but also only use it if you’re okay with random pink clay on your pillowcase in the morning.
Get it here.
Skin Control Blemish Banish
View this post on Instagram
Price: $13
Star rating: 2/5
If you’re looking for a cheap dupe of the Mario Badescu Drying Lotion, I want to say this is it, but it really does not work as well. In saying that, the Skin Control Blemish Banish solution is a great option to follow up the use of pimple patches that may bring excess oil to the surface, or during the skin’s purging period when using stronger products. Like the Mario Badescu lotion, you dip a Q-tip into the liquid and apply it only on the specific spots you want to dry out.
Get it here.
La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo Plus
View this post on Instagram
Price: $25
Star rating: 4/5
A cult favourite that half of TikTok claims has saved their skin, this trusty cream acts as both a corrective moisturiser and spot treatment. I used this product morning and evening, as directed, on those pesky bumps that seem to come out of nowhere.
I did see a noticeable difference over a few days, especially when paired with the brand’s Effaclar Foaming Gel Cleanser. It also works to reduce redness and scarring, something I believe it does quite well. This gel cream feels light on the skin, however, it can sometimes sting a little when applied.
Get it here.
Alpha H Blemish Control Gel
View this post on Instagram
Price: $35
Star rating: 3.5/5
On the pricier end of the spectrum, the Alpha H Blemish Control Gel is one of those products that you just feel good about applying to the skin. Leveraging wild oregano, tea tree and eucalyptus to kill bacteria, this treatment leaves you with a fresh, natural feeling.
I used this product in conjunction with the Clear Skin Face Wash and felt my acne alleviate slowly but surely. It’s definitely not an overnight fix, but this gel helped soothe the angry areas on my cheeks and forehead. I’d definitely recommend this gentle product for those with more sensitive skin types.
Get it here.
Sunday Riley Saturn Sulfur Spot Treatment
View this post on Instagram
Price: $35
Star rating: 5/5
Last, but certainly not least, is this acne mask from Sunday Riley. It’s made from a mixture of sulphur, niacinamide, tea tree oil and manuka oil. First, sulphur dries up excess oil and removes dead skin cells, while niacinamide boosts the radiance in your skin. Working parallel are zinc and bentonite, which draw out excess oil and soothe the skin.
I used this mask quite sparingly, but I found it worked wonders for my oily skin nonetheless. Some spots, I noticed, disappeared over 24 hours, drying up and calming down overnight. Its bright-green hue and distinct smell may come as a surprise, but the product is definitely worth it. I’d also ensure a moisturiser is used afterwards because it does use some strong ingredients.
Get it here.
For more of the best spot treatments, head here.
Liked this? You’ll love these...
