A two-stage pimple patch may help cover and heal acne, a new study suggests.
The small, sticker-like bandages comprise an array of tiny spikes that grab onto the pimple to deliver antibacterial or anti-inflammatory compounds, and clinical trials in humans confirmed that the pimples completely disappeared after seven days of treatment, according to the research, which is published in ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces.
Shayan Fakhraei Lahiji and Yong-Hee Kim from Cursus Bio Inc. in Seoul, South Korea, set out to design a medicated acne patch system with a microarray platform that stays put.
To create their patch, the researchers 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 that was mixed with either antibacterial agents (including salicylic acid and Cannabis sativa extract) or anti-inflammatory agents (including niacinamide and chamomile extract).
These patches were clinically tested on 20 participants. On the first day, the participants 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, with no pain or irritation.
After three days, participants noted an 81% reduction in acne lesions in the treated areas compared to untreated pimples, and after seven days, the treated pimples were gone altogether. Additionally, researchers noted a significant reduction in sebum. Around 95% of participants report that they were satisfied with the results of the treatment, the study showed.
The researchers plan to make their new patch available for purchase in fall 2025, in both South Korea and the United States. In addition, the technology could be reformulated to deliver other therapies, beyond just acne-fighting compounds.
“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,” explains Kim in a news release.
PHOTO CREDIT: Adapted from ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces; 2025
