I swear I’m the last person in the world to learn about the acne busting wonder that is the 3M Nexcare Acne Patch. In my defence, I did not have much need for this in recent years. Spots were obediently not prominently present and even if they were, popped and healed very quickly without incident. Until recently that is.
My recent bout with chin acne came to a head recently and with a few reader suggestions pushing me to try the Nexcare acne patches, I stopped by a pharmacy and picked one pack up. It was while poring over the box that I remembered lots of raves about this product about a year or two back when almost everyone had something good to say about this.
I must however add my praise to the chorus. This acne patch thingy is a right acne buster!
I had a painful cystic sort of acne spot on one side, and an unerupted painful spot on another. It was as good a time as any to see how the Nexcare acne patch would work. I must also confess to some excitement – sad I know – because I would not at another time, purchase or try this 😀
I got the small packet which has 7 patches – 3 larger ones and 4 smaller ones. You can see the approximate sizes on the packet above and in my hand. This is a used pack, naturally 😛 The patches are sandwiched between 2 pieces of plastic which are then sealed in a sterilized pack. I appreciated that but it is worth noting that once you open it, its no longer sterilized. This is also the reason I opted for the small pack as opposed to the large one (even if the large box gives better value)
The slightly opaque silicone patches are sticky on one side – the side you stick to your face. I found it hard to find the sticky side because it appeared that both sides are a little sticky and if you manhandle it too much, it loses its stickiness. The larger one was easier (one side is smooth) but the small one was tricky.
Tips on using Nexcare Acne Patches
- Ensure your face is clean and dry
- Do not apply moisturiser or toner after cleansing or it will not stick properly
- Ensure your hands are clean when handling these patches
- Try to use your nails to peel the patch off the plastic sheet so it does not lose the stickiness
Once applied over the pimple or cystic acne spot, the translucent colour blends right into my skin so it isn’t very noticable. The instructions called for the patch to be worn until it turns white. I however had no intention of wearing a patch under makeup so I only wore it at night and removed it in the day.
I did notice that when I removed the patch in the morning, the spot that covers the pimple or acne will be white or opaque. It might be the ingredients at work busting acne? I’m not sure.
But what I noticed was that when I woke up, the unerupted spot on my chin was markedly flat. 2 nights of use and it was basically gone. The other more painful one took a few more patches but its also now flat and no longer painful nor a spot. I now only have to take care of getting rid of the mark.
I think these patches are wonderful for spot treatment and would heartily recommend anyone to give it a go if you have an isolated painful pimple or spot that needs treatment because these things work!
And I’m probably the last person to find out 😛
Paris B
Nexcare 3M Acne patches come in different packages with the smallest being 7 patches. I purchased the 7 patch pack for RM4.30 and this is available at most pharmacies.
j3nny9irL says
I don’t think you are the last Paris. I didn’t even know this existed~! hahaha came at the right time. My face is so ugly now… Been so heaty lately and suddenly my face had full blown zits :S
ParisB says
Haha… I’m so glad to know I’m not the last to know 😀 I hope it helps you even if its a bit pricey
Ashley says
I love these patches oh so much! They truly are an acne busting miracle 😀
ParisB says
Oh yes they are indeed! I love how they flatten my spots the next morning like it was never there!
shuaddict says
Guess I must be living under a rock because I’ve never heard of these! They sound … magical! Thanks for posting about it.
ParisB says
Haha… so glad to have company under my rock! 😉
zeechen says
too bad i just read this blog n i back from my trip from malay n sing. they don’t have it in my country.try to buy online then. thanks pb for d new info.perhaps i am d last one know
Rynn says
I’m really sorry for popping out of nowhere to comment on ur 2-weeks-ago post. The thing is, I think I’m the last person out of the lot to know abt this acne busting patch! Used to hv pretty bad acne when I was a teenager but now that I’m an adult, I still do hv pimples during PMS. BUT lately I hv these neverending chain of pimples surfacing around my chin area. I tried this patch & OMG, they’re fantastic! Thanks for ur review 😀
NicaBell says
Gosh! I thought it was a joke to use this acne busting patch to treat acne. I thought of buying one about 2 or 3 years ago. But a friend’s comment stop me as she said it is ridiculous that acne can be stop by this patch thing. After reading your blog, I think I better buy one and try it out.
Jo says
Just bought this to try but the spot didn’t turn white the next day! Hmmm I wonder whether I applied the right side on the spot. Paris could you please tell me which side of the patch you applied on the spot? As you correctly pointed out, it’s sticky on both sides! Do I apply the one facing up i.e. covered with the opaque sticker thingie? Thanks babe!
ParisB says
Hi Jo, when you peel the plastic film apart, you will notice that the spots stick to only 1 film. For me, that’s the sticky side, so when I peel the spot off the plastic film, I make sure I bear in mind the sticky side and stick the sticky side on my skin. One side is actually stickier than the other, but on a small spot its hard to tell so the plastic film is the best way. Do let me know if it works 😀
Jo says
Oh in that case, it must be the side that’s facing down when you peel the spot off the plastic film. It seems to be the stickier one. Anyway tried it last night and still no turning white business! Hmmm. But I did notice the whiteheads are flatter.
ParisB says
Perhaps yours just doesn’t turn white? But so long as its helping the whiteheads go down, that’s most important 🙂
Fiona Loh says
I just discovered this as well! Lol. Did a small review too 😉
http://feeyona-loh.blogspot.com/2011/09/review-nexcare-acne-patch.html
Fiona
Lumi says
Wow, I’ve actually never heard of this product until now! It sounds amazingggggg! I definitely want to try it now. ^^
Bean says
Hi there, do you know any products that can make the pimple pus out quickly so i can pop it out? Is this workable to make the pimple pus out quickly? Thank you 🙂
Eisyah says
wow..i’m gonna get this one..thank you for introducing me this =D
bommie says
when i pell of this patch on the next day, it do sucks out the white thing, but it ends out with a hole on my face, does it happen to you or just i have to put the another patch until its healing? 🙁 help me
Paris B says
Hmm I haven’t had this happen. Perhaps what you mean is that the pus and the hardened sebum is pulled out. You could put another patch on, or apply something else to help it heal.