‘Multitasker that sticks’

Patches Surge in Popularity

Acne, blemishes, fine lines, dark circles… These are common skin concerns that everyone, regardless of age, gender, or race, has at least one. But wouldn’t it be nice to be able to deliver “intensive care” for various skin concerns with one item? We’re talking about facial beauty patches. In the past, patches were all about acne/blemish care, but as self-care has become a trend, the patch market has taken off. You can learn more about the versatility of patches and fill your shelves with a variety of them.

 

Patches at the Center of Self-Care

Throughout the pandemic, self-care has become a formidable trend. And beauty patches have emerged as one of the most beloved items in the self-care market. It’s a quick and easy way to get instant results without having to go to a dermatologist or an esthetician. In particular, Generation Z are digitally savvy and look for products that work virtually instantly. This is why patches, as opposed to serums or lotions, have become so popular on social media platforms.

 

 

The basic principle behind patches is that the longer the ingredients are applied on skin, the more they are absorbed and better produce the result. Most beauty patches contain active ingredients, such as salicylic acid for acne or vitamin C for dark spots, and because they are applied directly to the problem area, the concentration is much higher than if you were to use a serum or ointment. In addition, some patches are made of hydrocolloid materials to create a healing environment on the skin, while others use micro-darts to penetrate deeper into the skin.

 

 

Cosmetic patches were first introduced to the market to treat acne, but have since expanded to the care of dark spots, wrinkles, and more. So which patch products are doing well online? We ranked the best-selling patches on Amazon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The sales of small patches easily exceed your expectations. The top-ranked Mighty Patch sold more than 100,000 units in the last month alone, while the Frownies and Rael patches followed it with 50,000 and 30,000 units sold respectively. Also, when you look at the types of patches, you’ll see that they’re not limited to any one specialty.

According to a 2023 survey of the U.S. patch market, nearly 60% of female respondents said they had purchased an eye patch to reduce puffiness, with others mentioning patches for hydration or dark circles. Acne patches are, of course, the most popular type in the market. Among Gen Z consumers, acne hydrocolloids led the pack, with 66% of consumers having made a purchase.

The global acne patch market was valued at $510.8 million in 2021, according to market research firm Grandview Research, and is continuing to grow with a significant increase due to the influx of youth consumers. It forecasts the compound annual growth rate of 6.1% from 2022 to 2030.

 

 

Hot Trends in the Patch Market

✓Patches are a fashion item

Two years ago, celebrities, including Justin Bieber and Hailey Bieber, made waves by sporting star-shaped acne patches. The Starface patch quickly dominated the U.S. acne patch market, generating approximately $21 million in sales in 2022 alone.

 

 

When you put a patch on your face, even if it’s made of translucent material, it’s going to stand out, and Starface’s colorful, star-shaped patch is a way to make it more fun by not hiding it, a strategy that resonated with consumers. Acne patches have become a fashion item among global Gen Zers, thanks to the celebrities who adopted earlier and went viral on social media.

 

 

✓Word-of-mouth marketing for patches

Patches tend to be consumed by youth and young adults as well as consumers in their 30s. This is why viral marketing through social media is so effective. Wrinkle patches were originally targeted at the 35+ age group, but thanks to social media, they are increasingly recognized by the 25+ age group. On TikTok, users test wrinkle patches on their faces, necks, and collarbones and compare their skin-smoothing effects to Botox and fillers. (It has a short-term effect, but is not likely a long-term or permanent solution.) The patch brand #frownies has received 69.2 million views and #wrinklepatches garnered 18.8 million views.

✓Patches are multitaskers

Multitaskers handle multiple tasks simultaneously at a high speed, and when it comes to skincare, patches are multitaskers that stick. They can be applied to a variety of different areas for different concerns, and the list is constantly growing (recently, hair patches to prevent hair loss were released).

 

 

Editor’s Pick Brand patches to sell well in the OTC market

Beauty supply stores haven’t adopted patches into their core business. In some stores, you won’t find it at all, and in others, it’s just mixed in with several mask products for assortment purposes. Customers who enjoy patches also tend to go to drugstore chains and supermarkets rather than beauty supply stores. However, the demand for beauty patches is skyrocketing and attractive products continue to be developed, so it’s a clear winner in beauty supply.

Its small size makes it easy to sell on a countertop at the checkout. If you’re feeling extra motivated, you could try applying patches to your own skin while greeting customers. It’s a win-win for your skin and your sales. So what products should you focus on? We’ve picked out some patches that should particularly do well in the OTC market.

 

1. Night Repair: Formulated with gold to remove toxins and lift and firm under-eye wrinkles. It contains collagen and hyaluronic acid to hydrate and nourish.
2. Wrinkle Recharge: Enriched with avocado oil and vitamin E, it hydrates and nourishes to keep the under-eye area plump and moisturized throughout the day.

 

 

1. 1. Forehead patch: Packed with anti-aging ingredients like ceramides, vitamin A, collagen, and hyaluronic acid to help reduce the appearance of fine lines. It moisturizes and leaves skin smooth and even.
2. Smile-line patch: It contains collagen, vitamin A, and aloe vera extract to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles for the smile lines. It is suitable for all skin types and leaves the skin soft and moisturized.

 

 

1. Tea Tree Invisible: Tea tree and cica extracts provide instant relief by controlling blemishes and irritation, reducing redness and treating acne. Thanks to “Lift Me” tabs, it is easy to apply, and you can wear under makeup during the day and night for a lasting treatment.
2. JOAH Blemish: An ultra-thin patch infused with wound-healing cica(centella asiatica) extract and tea tree to soothe skin rashes and reduce the redness and swelling of blemishes.

 

 

FreeGo Magnesium Spot Care Patch

“Free from acne problem and Go enjoy the life!”란 슬로건처럼, 생체흡수성 마그네슘을 사용한 혁신적인 기술로 특수한 여드름 치료용 패치를 개발했다. 천연 마그네슘으로 만든 미세 바늘이 피부에 즉각적으로 침투하여 효과적인 성분(티트리, 마데카식 애씨드, 유칼립투스 등)을 전달, 여드름균을 퇴치하며 호르몬 불균형을 회복시키고 피부를 진정/재생시킨다. 미국 특허를 받았으며 피부과 전문의 테스트를 거쳤다.

 

1. Brighter You: Contains collagen and vitamin C to tighten loose skin around the neck, reduce fine lines on the lips and plump them up for a brighter, younger look.
2. Moisture Renew: Contains collagen and hyaluronic acid to tighten dry, sagging skin. It instantly adheres to the skin, moisturizing and plumping the lips while reducing signs of aging.

 

 

Derma-Aid Patch

Acne patches in different shapes and sizes(8-12mm) to cover blemishes discreetly and effectively. Made with 100% medical-grade hydrocolloids, it reduces inflammation, forms a protective barrier to prevent scarring and infection, and promotes skin healing. It’s FDA-registered, non-irritating, and suitable for all skin types.