Although I’m loathe to admit it, I’m a skin picker. Even when I know I should brush my teeth, get my butt in the shower, and get into bed, sometimes I find myself slowly climbing onto my bathroom counter, situating myself comfortably in my sink, and then going to town on my face in front of my well-lit mirror. Is it wrong? Yes. Does it sometimes feel so, so right? Again, yes. The problem? Post-picking, you can absolutely tell what just went down.
Afterward, my face is always red, swollen, and inflamed. I usually opt to ice it – or even sometimes leave it alone completely – but I recently discovered a product that has made my post-picking scary Halloween face a thing of the past: the Hero Cosmetics Rescue Patch ($18).
Inspired by the brand’s best-selling Rescue Balm, this acne patch is unlike any other product I’ve tested before – it’s a cream patch that helps support skin’s moisture barrier. It started out as a product that helped my skin after having issues with blemishes, but now, I use them practically every weekend after spending hours at the beach, and my dry skin has never felt more moisturized.
Keep scrolling to read my full review.
About the Hero Rescue Patch
- This product is a rich, thick, cream patch that helps moisturize dry skin.
- It’s formulated for all skin types.
- The key ingredients include panthenol to moisturize, beta-glucan to soothe, and oligopeptide to help support the skin’s barrier.
- It’s noncomedogenic.
- It’s free of added fragrance.
What I Like About the Hero Rescue Patch
I’ve struggled with dry skin my entire life. I’m always looking for ways to keep my face and body hydrated, but because I’m also acne-prone, there’s a thin line between products that keep me moisturized and products that are too thick or intense and break me out. Although I have sensitive skin, I’ve found that these patches don’t cause irritation or breakouts – even when I opt to wear them overnight for extra hydration.
Now that I live in Los Angeles, I spend a lot of time at the beach, especially in the summer. Even though I wear a hat, tons of SPF, and sit under an umbrella half the time, swimming in the ocean leaves my skin feeling tight and dry. I’ve found that using these patches after a weekend in the salt and sun greatly improves how my skin feels.
Plus, as previously mentioned, they’re amazing to use after I’ve done a deep dive on my face – a habit I’m trying to stop but occasionally slip up on. These patches help calm redness, they’re easy to apply, and they don’t slip off my face while I’m putting around my house.
How to Use the Hero Rescue Patch
The brand says you should start out by peeling the patches and separating them, which will reveal the cream on the inner sides. From there, apply them to clean, dry skin, cream-side down. Leave them on for at least 15 minutes, and once you take them off, you can rub in the excess product.
They’re meant to be used two to three times a week – or whenever you feel like your skin needs extra hydration, and the best time to use them is right after cleansing, before applying any other products.
Personally, I like to use them after I’ve experienced zits – especially after I’ve picked at my face. I throw them on while I’m working from home and sitting in front of my computer all day. They’re also great for after long days at the beach. In that instance, I usually sleep in them so my skin can soak up the hydration for as long as possible.
What to Consider Before Trying the Hero Rescue Patch
I have dry, acne-prone skin that’s a bit reactive and this product worked especially well for me. However, if you have oily skin, I’d consult with a dermatologist before trying this product or do a patch test to make sure it doesn’t exacerbate any oiliness.
Where the Hero Rescue Patch Is Available
The Hero Rescue Patch is available directly on the brand’s website.
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Renee Rodriguez is a staff writer and social producer for PS. She writes across all verticals, but her main areas of expertise focus on fashion and beauty content with an emphasis on reviews and editor experiments. She also produces social content for the PS TikTok and Instagram accounts.
