Pimple patches seem to be soaring in popularity—and a newly invented type that makes zits disappear without pain or irrtitation in mere days could soon be all the rage.
Researchers have created a two-stage pimple patch set with an array of tiny spikes that grab onto the pimple and deliver antibacterial or anti-inflammatory compounds.
Generally, the small, sticker-like bandages used to cover and heal unwanted spots come in all different shapes and sizes with varying degrees of effectiveness.
As for this new creation, human clinical trials confirmed the pimples completely disappeared after seven days of treatment, according to the team.
Pimple patches are made of polymers that absorb excess moisture and oil. Some types contain medications that reduce inflammation or fight infection.
These medicated stickers often use rows of tiny spikes known as microarrays to penetrate the skin’s outermost layer and deliver compounds underneath. However, microarrays are known to shift during wear and irritate the skin.
With this in mind, the study authors from Cursus Bio Inc., a company based in South Korea focusing on microarray-based technologies, wanted to design a medicated acne patch system with a microarray platform that stays put.
“Acne vulgaris is one of the most prevalent dermatological disorders, affecting approximately 85 percent of adolescents and often leading to permanent scarring, as well as psychological distress, if not effectively managed,” the researchers wrote.
“Conventional acne therapies often prove inadequate due to limited skin penetration, the development of antibiotic resistance and insufficient anti-inflammatory effects.”
“To address this, we introduce a novel dual-phase self-locking microarray patch for an enhanced acne treatment.
“This dissolving microarray patch is engineered to provide sequential therapy: an initial phase releasing an antibacterial agent (to rapidly minimize Cutibacterium acnes) followed by a second phase delivering an anti-inflammatory agent (to mitigate local inflammation).
“The microarray also features a mechanical interlocking design that secures the patch to the skin for effective adhesion and drug release.”
To create the patch, they first printed a microarray of arrowhead-shaped spikes using a specialized 3D printer. This “unique” shape helped the patch lock in place when attached to the skin.
The patch’s backbone is made of hyaluronic acid—a gooey polymer that’s a common skincare ingredient—mixed with either antibacterial agents (including salicylic acid and Cannabis sativa extract) or anti-inflammatory agents (including niacinamide and chamomile extract).
The patches were clinically tested in 20 participants. On the first day, they each applied the antibacterial patch and for the next six days they applied a new anti-inflammatory patch.
The hyaluronic acid-based microarray dissolved into the skin within 30 to 90 minutes—and with no pain or irritation.
After three days, participants reported an 81 percent reduction in acne lesions in the treated areas compared to untreated pimples and after seven days the treated pimples were gone altogether.
The researchers also noted a significant reduction in sebum— an oily substance that contributes to acne—of more than 40 percent by day seven.
Around 95 percent of participants reported they were satisfied with the results of the treatment.
“Findings of this study suggest the potential of self-locking microarrays as a safe and effective transdermal drug-delivery platform for clinical applications,” the authors wrote.
The team plans to make their new patch available for purchase in fall 2025, in both South Korea and the U.S. The technology could also be reformulated to deliver other therapies beyond just acne-fighting compounds, they said.
“Our work highlights the potential of microarray patches as a platform for applications beyond acne treatment, ranging from skin disorders to obesity therapies and vaccine delivery,” said study author Yong-Hee Kim in a statement.
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Reference
Park, J., Kim, J., Fakhraei Lahiji, S., & Kim, Y.-H. (2025). Dual-Phase Antibacterial and Anti-inflammatory Self-Locking Microarray Patches for the Effective Treatment of Acne Vulgaris. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 17(32), 45438–45447. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsami.5c07718
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