Pimple patches are small stickers made with a slightly gummy wound-healing gel called hydrocolloid. They work by absorbing any drainage from the pimple and covering the wound to prevent further trauma to the site, such as picking. When applied to a spot, like a pimple, the patch helps shield the spot, providing a moist (and clean) environment. The patchs outer layer helps keep the area clean by preventing microbes, like infection-causing bacteria, from entering the blemish. At the same time, hydrocolloid pimple patches help absorb oil and bacteria from within the pimple. Pimple patches can help pimples go away overnight by absorbing excess oil and pus from pimples, essentially shrinking the zits and lessening inflammation. They work best on open, draining, healing pustules, papules, and cysts. Pimple patches do not work on closed lesions or deeper lesions or even blackheads and whiteheads, which are called comedones. Pimple patches are commonly made of hydrocolloid, a gel-forming material originally used for healing wounds. They can accelerate healing by adsorbing the toxins trapped under the skin while protecting the zit from external bacteria, sunlight, or face picking.