Allergen

Acne Patch, Pimple Patch

Also called hydrocolloid patches for pimples, the hydrocolloid part is actually pretty well tolerated. It’s the other materials of the patch that have some top contact allergens, many of which are similar concerns in bandages, medical tapes, dressings, transdermal patches and continuous glucose monitors. This does not mean you should not use acne patches but do be guided by your patch test results and don’t rely on these patches as your sole therapy for acne (more on this below).

Some top contact allergens found in these patches include:

• Glue in the adhesive and related allergens like colophony (rosin), carba mix, thiuram, rubber, or latex
• Isobornyl acrylate
• Acrylates
• Dyes, if you’re using patches with bright, fun designs; nickel, if the patches have additional, metallic design elements
• Some patches are just the hydrocolloid gel while others contain additional ingredients that could be contact allergens like fruit and flower extracts, tocopherol acetate (vitamin E), phenoxyethanol, mint, cinnamates, and tea tree oil.
• Other ingredients like benzoyl peroxide are not allergens but are irritants that can cause dryness, flaking, redness, stinging, and other uncomfortable skin reactions (using less of it or using it less frequency can help).

Some products are microneedling patches and the material of the microneedles could be an issue. It can be difficult to find out what your patch’s microneedles are made of as this information is not usually disclosed by the brand. According to this review (a general review; not particular to pimple patches) microneedles are usually made of:

• Silicone (usually well tolerated)
• Stainless steel (which the review mentions can cause an allergic reaction, possibly due to nickel, the top contact allergen, being present the metal).
  • Note that if the metal is of very high quality, the nickel can be bonded very well and the risk can be reduced.
  • Because microneedles are still relatively new, the risk of allergic contact dermatitis in nickel-sensitive people is still unclear but seems possible, according to this study and this report. If you have patch tested positive to nickel, try to find out what the microneedles in your patch are made of, opt for another material, or work closely with your dermatologist when considering a microneedling patch.
• Sugar (usually well tolerated)
• Polymers (including methyl methacrylate, which is a top contact allergen but the risk can be mitigated if the material is well polymerized).

If you are sensitive to any of these ingredients, you could risk additional skin problems to deal with or complicate the treatment of your acne.

Some patches come in colorful designs or extra elements glued on, which could increase the risk of reaction.

Occlusion (blockage or obstruction)

If you live in a hot, humid climate or sweat a lot, there might potentially be an additional risk of Malassezia folliculitis (commonly called sweat “acne”).

The patch can be good for moist wound healing but it does create an occlusion or sealed environment which can become humid and sweaty. In addition to possibly trapping additional pore cloggers, this could lead to an overproduction of Malassezia. This fungus is a natural, healthy part of our skin’s microbiome but such environments can make it overproduce, which can lead to acne-like bumps. A reaction to the adhesive itself could also cause bumps.

If you notice any of these developing, consult your dermatologist for an accurate diagnosis (without one, you could end up using treatments that are ineffective for the particular microbe you’re dealing with).

Is it an irritant or allergic reaction?

Not all skin reactions are allergic and irritant reactions can be more common when using bandages and patches. An irritant reaction can be severe but it also means that you should be able to tolerate exposure in the future provided that it’s for a controlled amount of time.

However, if you have patch tested positive to the patch (you can ask your dermatologist to include the product itself in your patch test!), this is a true allergic contact dermatitis. Let your health practitioner know so that they can explore alternatives with you. This is another reason why patch testing is so important.

Cystic acne:

Acne is multifactorial; cystic acne, especially. If you have very large, inflamed lesions that feel deeper in the skin, consult a dermatologist. You may need additional medication and/or to address other possible health conditions that could be causing or contributing to your cystic acne. As this review discusses, pimple patches should not be relied on as therapy for cystic acne which normally includes a proper skincare regimen, lifestyle changes, and possible medication.

Best practices:

• If you’d like to try using acne patches, check the ingredients against your patch test results. This can be a little difficult as the ingredients of the material itself aren’t regularly disclosed. Ask your dermatologist for a recommendation or to include the patch you’re interested in your patch test.
• Don’t rely on just pimple patches to address your acne. Instead:
  • Consult a dermatologist for an accurate diagnosis. Acne can look like many other skin conditions and vice versa. Keratosis pilaris, for example, is also bumpy but is actually a dry skin condition. Malassezia folliculitis looks a lot like acne but is fungal and won’t respond to typical antibacterial acne treatments. If your acne is due to a hormonal, thyroid, or other condition, you might need prescription medication (using irritating topical products could make the condition worse).
  • Get a proper daily skincare regimen that keeps your pores clear and won’t irritate your pores (while allergens don’t clog pores the way comedogens do, they can irritate pores, resulting in inflammation, infection, and acne). Top recommendations are SuperSkin Care Spring Fresh regimen for oily skin (with monolaurin and mandelic acid) and Id Face & Body Clarifying regimen (with monolaurin and salicylic acid). Don’t forget an Armada Sun + Light Screen or Stay-On-Point to prevent post-acne scars.
  • Use non-comedogenic, non-acnegenic, non-allergenic shampoo and conditioner, especially if your acne is on the forehead, cheeks, neck, chest, or back.
  • Practice proper prevention by following your patch test results and using allergen-free, non-comedogenic, non-acnegenic skincare and makeup — effective anti-acne skincare won’t matter much if you’re using products that continue to cause it.
  • Allergen-free is also important to prevent post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation or post-acne scars (many allergens are also photo-allergens which react with light to cause darkening)

Subscribe to VMVinSKIN.com and our YouTube channel for more hypoallergenic tips and helpful “skinformation”!

If you have a history of sensitive skin…

…don’t guess! Random trial and error can cause more damage. Ask your dermatologist about a patch test.

To shop our selection of hypoallergenic products, visit vmvhypoallergenics.com. Need help? Ask us in the comments section below, or for more privacy (such as when asking us to customize recommendations for you based on your patch test results) contact us by email, or drop us a private message on Facebook.

For more:

• On the prevalence of skin allergies, see Skin Allergies Are More Common Than Ever. 
• For the difference between irritant and allergic reactions, see It’s Complicated: Allergic Versus Irritant Reaction.
• For the difference between food, skin, and other types of reactions: see Skin & Food Allergies Are Not The Same Thing. 
• On the differences between hypoallergenic, natural, and organic, check out Is Natural Hypoallergenic? and this video in our YouTube channel. 
• To learn about the VH-Rating System and hypoallergenicity: What Is The Validated Hypoallergenic Rating System?

Main References: 

Regularly published reports on the most common allergens by the North American Contact Dermatitis Group and European Surveillance System on Contact Allergies (based on over 28,000 patch test results, combined), plus other studies. Remember, we are all individuals — just because an ingredient is not on the most common allergen lists does not mean you cannot be sensitive to it, or that it will not become an allergen. These references, being based on so many patch test results, are a good basis but it is always best to get a patch test yourself.

1. Aldawood FK, Andar A, Desai S. A Comprehensive Review of Microneedles: Types, Materials, Processes, Characterizations and Applications. Polymers (Basel). 2021 Aug 22;13(16):2815.
2. Margulies S, Samia AM, Montañez-Wiscovich M, Saikaly SK. Microneedling in the nickel-allergic patient. JAAD Int. 2022 Aug 18;9:48-49.
3. Severe systemic reaction associated with skin microneedling therapy in 2 sisters: A previously unrecognized potential for complications? Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 2025/04/02. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, Volume 68, Issue 4, AB21
4. Durairaj, Akiladevi, Keyan, K, Shanmugam, A. (2023). Cystic acne treatment: A comprehensive review. Medicine Advances. 1. 10.1002/med4.43.
5. DeKoven JG, Warshaw EM, Reeder MJ, Atwater AR, Silverberg JI, Belsito DV, Sasseville D, Zug KA, Taylor JS, Pratt MD, Maibach HI, Fowler JF Jr, Adler BL, Houle MC, Mowad CM, Botto N, Yu J, Dunnick CA. North American Contact Dermatitis Group Patch Test Results: 2019-2020. Dermatitis. 2023 Mar-Apr;34(2):90-104. doi: 10.1089/derm.2022.29017.jdk. Epub 2023 Jan 19. PMID: 36917520.
6. Uter W, Wilkinson SM, Aerts O, Bauer A, Borrego L, Brans R, Buhl T, Dickel H, Dugonik A, Filon FL, Garcìa PM, Giménez-Arnau A, Patruno C, Pesonen M, Pónyai G, Rustemeyer T, Schubert S, Schuttelaar MA, Simon D, Stingeni L, Valiukevičienė S, Weisshaar E, Werfel T, Gonçalo M; ESSCA and EBS ESCD working groups, and the GEIDAC. Patch test results with the European baseline series, 2019/20-Joint European results of the ESSCA and the EBS working groups of the ESCD, and the GEIDAC. Contact Dermatitis. 2022 Oct;87(4):343-355. doi: 10.1111/cod.14170. Epub 2022 Jun 24. PMID: 35678309. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35678309/
7. DeKoven JG, Silverberg JI, Warshaw EM, Atwater AR, et al. North American Contact Dermatitis Group Patch Test Results: 2017-2018. Dermatitis. 2021 Mar-Apr 01;32(2):111-123.
8. DeKoven JG, Warshaw EM, Zug KA, et al. North American Contact Dermatitis Group Patch Test Results: 2015-2016. Dermatitis. 2018 Nov/Dec;29(6):297-309.
9. DeKoven JG, Warshaw EM, Belsito DV, et al. North American Contact Dermatitis Group Patch Test Results 2013-2014. Dermatitis. 2017 Jan/Feb;28(1):33-46.
10. Warshaw, E.M., Maibach, H.I., Taylor, J.S., et al. North American contact dermatitis group patch test results: 2011-2012. Dermatitis. 2015; 26: 49-59.
11. W Uter et al. The European Baseline Series in 10 European Countries, 2005/2006–Results of the European Surveillance System on Contact Allergies (ESSCA). Contact Dermatitis 61 (1), 31-38.7 2009.
12. Wetter, DA et al. Results of patch testing to personal care product allergens in a standard series and a supplemental cosmetic series: An analysis of 945 patients from the Mayo Clinic Contact Dermatitis Group, 2000-2007. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2010 Nov;63(5):789-98.
13. Warshaw EM, Buonomo M, DeKoven JG, et al. Importance of Supplemental Patch Testing Beyond a Screening Series for Patients With Dermatitis: The North American Contact Dermatitis Group Experience. JAMA Dermatol. 2021 Dec 1;157(12):1456-1465.
14. Verallo-Rowell VM. The validated hypoallergenic cosmetics rating system: its 30-year evolution and effect on the prevalence of cosmetic reactions. Dermatitis 2011 Apr; 22(2):80-97.
15. Ruby Pawankar et al. World Health Organization. White Book on Allergy 2011-2012 Executive Summary.
16. Misery L et al. Sensitive skin in the American population: prevalence, clinical data, and role of the dermatologist. Int J Dermatol. 2011 Aug;50(8):961-7.
17. Warshaw EM1, Maibach HI, Taylor JS, Sasseville D, DeKoven JG, Zirwas MJ, Fransway AF, Mathias CG, Zug KA, DeLeo VA, Fowler JF Jr, Marks JG, Pratt MD, Storrs FJ, Belsito DV. North American contact dermatitis group patch test results: 2011-2012.Dermatitis. 2015 Jan-Feb;26(1):49-59.
18. Warshaw, E et al. Allergic patch test reactions associated with cosmetics: Retrospective analysis of cross-sectional data from the North American Contact Dermatitis Group, 2001-2004. J AmAcadDermatol 2009;60:23-38.
19. Marks JG, Belsito DV, DeLeo VA, et al. North American Contact Dermatitis Group patch-test results, 1998 to 2000. Am J Contact Dermat. 2003;14(2):59-62.
20. Warshaw EM, Belsito DV, Taylor JS, et al. North American Contact Dermatitis Group patch test results: 2009 to 2010. Dermatitis. 2013;24(2):50-99.
21. Verallo-Rowell V. M, Katalbas S.S. & Pangasinan J. P. Natural (Mineral, Vegetable, Coconut, Essential) Oils and Contact Dermatitis. Curr Allergy Asthma Rep 16,51 (2016) . https://doi.org/10.1007/s11882-016-0630-9.
22. de Groot AC. Monographs in Contact Allergy, Volume II – Fragrances and Essential Oils. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press Taylor & Francis Group; 2019.
23. De Groot AC. Monographs in Contact Allergy Volume I. Non-Fragrance Allergens in Cosmetics (Part I and Part 2). Boca Raton, Fl, USA: CRC Press Taylor and Francis Group, 2018.
24. Zhu TH, Suresh R, Warshaw E, et al. The Medical Necessity of Comprehensive Patch Testing. Dermatitis. 2018 May/Jun;29(3):107-111.

Want more great information on contact dermatitis? Check out the American Contact Dermatitis Society, Dermnet New Zealand, the Contact Dermatitis Institute, and your country’s contact dermatitis association.

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