I Tried Every Product From Hero Cosmetics—These 7 Transformed My Acne Routine

I've never been confident enough to wear those fun, brightly colored pimple patches in public. Heck, even the OG Mighty Patch is a bit too visible for me. On the days when I don't want to cake makeup over a brooding zit, I place one of these on and completely forget about it. No joke, they're totally invisible—like so invisible that I don't even notice I'm wearing one until I take my makeup off at the end of the night. They're especially great for special events when you don't want to aggravate your pimple. And yes, they're even undetectable in pictures.

• Number of patches: 39
• Key ingredient: Hydrocolloid
• Usage: Place one on whiteheads and leave on for six to eight hours

One Cosmo editor says: "I don't always want my pimple patch to be seen by the general public, which is when I go in with one of these. They sit flat against my skin to help make my pimple look a bit less inflamed too, so double win." – Beth Gillette, beauty editor

Sunscreen is the number one most important skincare product you could ever use. Seriously, ask any dermatologist. That said, so many formulas can feel sticky, gloopy, and clog pores. That's not the case with this weightless SPF. The airy, non-comedogenic formula was specially made for those with acne-prone skin. It smoothly glides onto your complexion and totally disappears to give you a matte finish. I couldn't feel it three minutes after application (for real). I also love how the slight green tint neutralizes any redness.

• Skin type: Acne-prone skin
• Key ingredient: Zinc oxide, green tea extract, bisabolol
• Size: 69 oz
• Usage: Smooth on skin as the last step of your routine in the morning daily

One Cosmo editor says: "Behold: The perfect everyday sunscreen for anyone dealing with sensitivity *and* breakouts. It's zinc-based with an airy, lightweight texture, so it soaks into skin in seconds. I never experience that thick, greasy feel that some SPFs can create." — Lauren Balsamo, beauty director

Sometimes the intrusive thoughts win, and I end up popping my zits (don't tell my derm). I realllllly need to learn my lessons because every time I do that I end up with an acne scar. That's when these patches come to the rescue. Each dot has 395 itty-bitty micropoints that contain tranexamic acid, niacinamide, and vitamin C to lighten and brighten those dark spots. And omg, do they work. I'll wear one patch overnight and notice a difference by morning. After using two or three, the mark is almost completely gone. I've definitely gotten better about picking fresh zits, but when I succumb to the temptation, at least these have my back.

• Number of patches: 8
• Key ingredient: Tranexamic acid, niacinamide, vitamin C
• Usage: Place on freshly cleansed dark spots and leave on for six to eight hours

One Cosmo editor says: "These dark spot patches aren't the best choice for all-over discoloration or melasma, but they're excellent at treating isolated dark spots and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. And unlike many patches I've tried in the past, these ones actually stick to your skin without having to constantly press them down." — LB

I've always strayed away from spot treatments because, without fail, I'd wake up the next morning with dry, scaley skin... and the pimple still there (cue my crash out). This is the only spot treatment I've ever tried that ~zaps the zits~ without drying out my face. I attribute it to the aloe-infused gel formula that's powered by a potent—yet gentle—blend of 2 percent salicylic acid, lactic acid, and azelaic acid to help exfoliate skin and get rid of a pimple. Oh, and the little blue capsules floating in the gel contain tee tree extract to calm skin, too, minimizing irritation.

• Skin type: All
• Key ingredients: Salicylic acid, lactic acid, azelaic acid
• Size: 0.34 oz
• Usage: Dab on top of a pimple (it's that easy)

One Cosmo editor says: "I keep a tube of this at my desk at all times—legit just picked it up rn, lol—to dab onto zits midday whenever I feel a flare coming on. The salicylic acid really helps gently exfoliate, and it dries clear, so it doesn't affect my makeup either." — BG

Justice for this moisturizer! It doesn't get nearly enough attention—and it deserves it all. Formulated with a prebiotic sugar complex that feeds the good bacteria in your skin (science!), it clarifies and softens your complexion to keep it happy and clear while also hydrating with ceramides and hyaluronic acid.

• Skin type: Oily and acne-prone skin
• Key ingredients: Prebiotic sugar complex, sage extract, ceramides, hyaluronic acid
• Size: 2.36 oz
• Usage: Apply daily in the morning and evening

One Cosmo editor says: "The gel-cream texture feels incredibly refreshing and leaves behind a lit-from-within luminosity. I have normal-dry skin, yet I use it about two times a week to ensure my skin stays balanced." — Mary Honkus, beauty contributor

Sooo, you popped a zit. I promise, it's actually not the end of the world, so long as you have this antioxidant balm on hand. Consider this your post-zit recovery bandage that reduces redness and irritation and ensures the spot heals quickly. You only need a small dab on an angry zit to speed up the reparative process. Keeping the area protected and hydrated will help your skin go back to normal. In just two to three days, you'll never even know that a pimple existed.

• Skin type: All
• Key ingredients: Panthenol, beta-glucan, vitamin E
• Size: 0.507 oz
• Usage: Apply directly on zits after using a patch

One Cosmo editor says: "If you want to speed up the recovery process, look no further than this cream. It kick-starts your skin’s healing, reduces the likelihood of scarring and bumpy textures, and tones down any redness and flaking. I even use it after plucking or shaving to stop any potential irritation." — Olivia Truffaut-Wong, editor