• pimple patches

    This or That | Pimple Patches

    Hi Everyone!

    Today, I’m comparing Pimple patches! I’ve only tried hydrocolloid patches. I’ve never tried the microneedling ones and/or the ones with salicylic acid. I just use spot treatments instead. I may be missing out on the other types of pimple patches, but they’re so expensive for one time use.

    The COSRX acne pimple master patches were the first one I tried. Then I tried the clear fit ones, nexcare acne absorbing covers and last, but not least, Rael.

    I have tried eight different acne patches from six brands:

    Tapered patches

    • COSRX Clear Fit Master Patch
    • Rael Invisible Spot Cover
    • Nacific Fresh Herb Origin Clear Spot Patch
    • Subi Beauty Perfect Pimple Patch

    Non-tapered patches

    • COSRX Acne Pimple Master Patches
    • Rael Overnight Spot Cover
    • PanOxyl PM Overnight Spot Patches
    • Nexcare Acne Absorbing Covers

    I was sent the Subi Beauty Perfect Pimple Patches and PanOxyl PM Overnight Spot Patches to try, but all other patches were purchased by me.

    Even though some claim that you can wear them with makeup, I wouldn’t. They’re less noticeable without any makeup (see my reviews for some pictures).

    I’ve written about five different reviews/comparison reviews on my blog, so I thought I would collect all the information and update my thoughts in one post. You can check out my previous posts below:

    Comparing Acne Patches | 2019


    Reviews

    COSRX Acne Pimple Master Patches | COSRX Clear Fit Master Patches


    This or That

    COSRX vs. Rael | COSRX vs. Nexcare

    acne patch
    The pimple patch sizes I’ve tried so far

    Non-tapered

    Pros

    • absorb more than tapered ones
    • can wear them overnight

    Cons

    • easier to detect (but you could still wear them out of the house, if you don’t care)
    • aren’t as flexible, so it could stick out if you have it on a curved part of your face
    • if they absorb too much or get wet, the edges can start to peel off

    Tapered

    Pros

    • harder to detect, so you can wear them out of the house
    • they stay on well, even if you get them a bit wet. I’ve washed my face with one on

    Cons

    • don’t absorb as much
    • COSRX ones only come in one size
    • if they absorb too much, they could come off easily
    • if you wear them for too long, they get sticky/gummy
    Rael Overnight Spot CoverCOSRX Acne Pimple Master PatchNexcare Acne Pimple PatchPanOxyl Pm Overnight Spot PatchesRael Invisible Spot CoverCOSRX Clear Fit Master PatchNacific Fresh Herb Origin Clear Spot PatchSubi Beauty Perfect Pimple PatchRohto Mentholatum Blemish Cover PatchCOSRX AC Collection Acne PatchJUMISO AC Cure Vegan Cover Patch Blemish CareBY WISHTREND Clear Skin Shield PatchPeace Out Salicylic Acid Acne Healing DotsTHEKSHOP Acne Pimple PatchSome By Mi 30 Days Miracle Clear Spot PatchSKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Tea-Trica Spot Cover Patch
    type - hydrocolloid only vs. hydrocolloid with salicylic acid, tea tree, etc. hydrocolloidhydrocolloidhydrocolloidhydrocolloidhydrocolloidhydrocolloidhydrocolloidhydrocolloidhydrocolloidhydrocolloidhydrocolloidhydrocolloidhydrocolloid with salicylic acid
    hydrocolloidhydrocolloidhydrocolloid
    perforated sheet?perforatednot perforatednot perforatednot perforatedperforatedperforatedperforatedperforatednot perforatedperforatedperforatedperforatednot perforatedperforatedperforatedperforated
    Tapered vs. non-taperednon-taperednon-taperednon-taperednon-taperedtaperedtaperedtaperedtaperednon-taperedtaperedtaperedtaperednon-taperedtaperedtaperedtapered
    # in a pack52243640481818182826303620391822
    7mm-10--------------
    8mm16-24-------------
    9mm---20----28-------
    10mm205--2418918--18--24912
    12mm129122024-9---1224-15910
    13mm------------20---
    14mm-----------12----
    9x13mm (oval)---------9------
    11x16mm (oval)---------9------
    15x23mm (oval)---------8------
    thickness--------0.2mm-0.4mm with 0.39 mm edge-----

    COSRX Acne Pimple Master patches are the cheapest in terms of cost per patch. I didn’t take into account the sizes. There are more 7mm ones in the pack, so if you don’t use those as often, maybe one of the other brands is more cost effective for you.

    Cost (CAD)Cost per patch
    Subi Beauty Perfect Pimple Patch (54 count)$24 USD from subibeauty.com0.44
    Rohto Mentholatum Blemish Cover Patch (28 count)$9 from chuusi.ca0.32
    Rael Overnight Spot Cover (52 count)$15.99 from amazon.ca0.31
    Rael Invisible Spot Cover (96 count)$24.46 from amazon.a0.25
    Rael Invisible Spot Cover (72 count)$21.400.30
    Rael Invisible Spot Cover (48 count)$14.52 from amazon.ca0.32
    PanOxyl PM Overnight Spot Patches (80 ct)$20.99 from amazon.ca0.26
    PanOxyl PM Overnight Spot Patches (40 ct)$11.99 from amazon.ca0.30
    Nexcare Acne Pimple Patch (36 count) $13.400.37
    Nexcare Acne Pimple Patch$12.49 from shoppersdrugmart.ca0.347
    Nacific Fresh Herb Origin Clear Spot Patch$5.99 from thekshop.ca0.33
    Mighty Patch Original Hydrocolloid Patches (36 count)$12.77 from iHerb0.35
    COSRX Clear Fit Master Patch (18 count)$4.80 from chuusi.ca0.26
    COSRX Acne Pimple Master Patch (24 count)$5 from chuusi.ca0.208
    COSRX Acne Pimple Master Patch (10 packs of 24 count)$37 from amazon.ca ($3.70 per pack)0.15
    COSRX AC Collection Acne Patch (26 count)$7.00 from chuusi.ca0.27
    JUMISO AC Cure Vegan Cover Patch Blemish Care (30 count)$6.99 from thekshop.ca0.23
    BY WISHTREND Clear Skin Shield Patch (36 count)$9.99 from thekshop.ca0.278
    Some By Mi 30 Days Miracle Clear Spot Patch (18 count)$7.99 from thekshop.ca0.44
    THEKSHOP Acne Pimple Patch (39 count)$9.99 from thekshop.ca0.256
    SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Tea-Trica Spot Cover Patch (22 count)$8 from thekshop.ca0.36

    Ranking the hydrocolloid patches in different categories:

    Ease of use

    Both Rael patches have perforated backings to make it easier to peel off the patches without folding them or ruining the side of the patch. One time I accidentally folded a bit of the side and then the patch didn’t lie flat on my skin. COSRX Clear Fit, Nacific and Subi Beauty patches also have perforated backings. PanOxyl and Nexcare do not have perforated backings.

    Packaging

    The Rael patches and the Nexcare patches come in boxes. The COSRX patches comes in a shiny plastic pouch, as does the Subi beauty (holographic) and Nacific which can’t be recycled. They all come in a little sleeve that keeps the patches sterile. My least favourite is the PanOxyl ones, it’s almost similar to the packaging of a bandaid where it’s hard to slide it back in because it’s a bit tacky. 

    Variety

    The Rael and COSRX patches are best for variety of sizes and tapered vs. non-tapered. Rael also offers larger sizes (for body) and micro-crystal patches. COSRX also sells AC Collection ones that are oval-shaped. 

    Accessibility

    COSRX and Rael can be bought on multiple sites. Nexcare is available on Amazon.ca and the Shoppers Drug Mart website. Subi beauty, I think, can only be purchased on their website. Nacific patches are pretty accessible to Canadians, but they’re more expensive than the others that I like.


    Most of the patches perform the same, but the Nexcare ones weren’t sticky enough (stuck to my hair in the middle of the night) and the PanOxyl ones are almost too sticky that I’m afraid it’ll pull off some skin (especially if the pimple has popped and it’s an open wound.)

    My top choices out of the brands would be Rael and COSRX. For me, the Rael ones are slightly more worth it because of the sizes available for both tapered and non-tapered. I rarely used the 7mm COSRX ones and, for some reason, they have more 7mm ones in their pack than the other sizes. I also like that Rael switched from a pouch with foil to a recyclable box.

    What pimple patch brand is your favourite?

    Love,

  • feb 2020 empties

    February 2020 Product Empties

    Hi Everyone!

    Here are this month’s empties!

    Daiso Razors – I like these for shaving the face. They come with a plastic protector for storage.

    Repurchase? Yes.

    Tarte Maracuja Eye Treatment – This cream is quite thick and I finished it a lot faster than I finished other products with the same amount.

    Repurchase? Probably not.

    Good Molecules Pure Cold-Pressed Rosehip Seed Oil* – really liked this oil.

    Repurchase? Yes.

    Kopari Coconut Deodorant (read my review) – I had to declutter this because my underarms got a reaction when I would use it. I think it’s the coconut. It smells nice, but it didn’t do the best job when I would work out. Of course, it is a deodorant and not an anti-perspirant.

    Repurchase? No.

    Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser – This is a good cleanser for me to use in the morning. I sometimes use it on the body as well.

    Repurchase? Yes.

    Rael Miracle Patches (read my review) – LOVE THESE! If you haven’t tried hydrocolloid patches for your acne, you need to try them! It doesn’t have to be these specific ones, but these and the COSRX ones are favourites of mine.

    Repurchase? I purchase mine from Amazon (4 packs of 24). This is my second time buying 4 packs. It took me about a 8-12 months to finish all 4 packs.

    Moom Aromatherapy Foot Spa Cream* – Why are all foot creams mint-scented? Not that I’m complaining. This was a nice foot cream, but I didn’t notice a huge difference in how smooth my feet felt.

    Repurchase? No.

    Joico Moisture Recovery Shampoo – I like this shampoo. I wouldn’t say it’s my fave, but I haven’t gotten any reactions (when I was using a Pantene shampoo, I noticed I was getting breakouts along my hairline and I don’t use many other hair products so it was easy to narrow it down).

    Repurchase? Only on sale.

    Australian Bodycare Tea Tree Oil Face Tonic* (read my review) – I enjoy tea tree oil for my acne-prone skin.

    Repurchase? I would purchase more products in their Tea Tree collection (like the body wash).

    Tula Acne Clearing + Tone Correcting Gel – This is a nice salicylic acid acne gel. When I first got it, I would use it every day which I realized was too often and the reason my skin was a bit red. Once I cut down to using it less frequently, it was better and still kept my skin fairly clear.

    Repurchase? Tula no longer ships to Canada, but I’m sure I can find a similar acne gel with salicylic acid.

    Grounded Sage Pure Amore Gel Facial Cleanser* – I didn’t love this cleanser mainly because it came I a glass jar. I prefer a pump because I don’t want to stick my wet hand into the jar and I also tend to use more.

    Repurchase? No.

    Nars Velvet Matte Foundation Stick in Fiji – This wasn’t my favourite stick foundation I’ve used.

    Repurchase? No.

    Clarins Instant Light Lip Comfort Oil in 09 Red Berry Glam – I wanted to try this lip oil and I won it in a giveaway. It wasn’t the shade I wanted, but I got to see if I liked the formula. I was expecting it to be more of an oil, but it’s basically like a gloss (quite sticky).

    Repurchase? Maybe, but in a different shade.

    Revlon Mega Multiplier Mascara – I like that this is a fiber mascara. You just have to wash it off with warm water and you don’t get raccoon eyes. Unfortunately that means it’s not waterproof if that’s what you’re after.

    Repurchase? Yes.

    Sephora Solid Clean: Solid Brush Cleaner – This is a nice little thing to travel with and it comes with a little silicone pad to help get a deeper clean.

    Repurchase? Maybe.

    What did you finish this month?

    Love,

    Products marked with (*) were gifted to me.

  • september product empties

    September 2019 Product Empties

    Hi Everyone!

    I don’t have many products for you this month. While I did finish some skincare products, I only have a handful of mini reviews. Keep reading to find out what I’d purchase again!

    The Honest Company Perfectly Gentle Bubble Bath in Sweet Orange Vanilla – This was more expensive than I usually spend for a bubble bath. In the past, I’ve bought the generic drugstore brand ones. I will say that this one didn’t irritate my skin at all. Sometimes the fragrance in the others would irritate my sensitive skin. This is a really nice bubble bath that smells like a creamsicle. You can smell it more when you sniff from the bottle, it’s more faint once you’ve poured it into your bath.

    Repurchase? Yes.

    Volition Beauty Celery Green Cream with Hyaluronic Acid + Peptides* (read my review) – It’s a nice product, but it’s not geared toward my skin type. If you have oily skin, you’ll enjoy this one. If I did have oily skin, I would probably buy it again.

    Repurchase? No.

    ANHYD Organics Organic Facial Moisturizer* (read my review) – I really enjoyed this moisturizer. It’s one of the few products that I’ve been sent that I would consider purchasing myself.

    Repurchase? Yes.

    Philosophy Purity Made Simple Cleanser* – I got a deluxe sample from Topbox. I didn’t like this one. It cleansed my face, yes, but I didn’t like the smell of it.

    Repurchase? No.

    Rael Hydrocolloid Acne Pimple Healing Patch (read my review) – LOVE THESE! I originally said it was a tie between the COSRX and these patches, but I think I love these more now. They don’t fold on themselves when I peel them off the plastic. The plastic has perforations where you can tear it and easily peel the patch off without accidentally folding the patch onto itself (like when a bandaid sticks to itself and you can’t tear it apart).

    Repurchase? Absolutely!

    I love that all of the bottles from my empties are really nice and I can re-use them for something else. I don’t know what, but I will hoard them and use them for something.

    What did you finish in September?

    Love,

    Items marked with (*) were gifted to me.