Adding a new skincare product to your lineup is always exciting, but it comes with a few questions, too: What's on the ingredients list, how often to use it, and when to incorporate it into your routine are all important to consider.
One of the best parts about eczema patches is that they stick to your skin for an extended period of time—no reapplying throughout the day, no rubbing off on clothes or bedding. You can put one on and forget about it for hours at a time.
Before trying out an eczema patch, you should know how long to wear it. While everyone's skin is different, there's a general recommended time frame to follow.
If your skin feels dry even after reapplying moisturizer, you may be in Active Flare. Take the Flare Quiz to check your stage in 60 seconds.
How Long to Wear an Eczema Patch
You can wear Signal, Surge, and Reset for up to six to eight hours. This means you can put them on overnight or in the morning before you head out for the day, and your skin is protected from scratching and irritants the entire time you sleep or work. Apply them to clean, dry skin to help them stick as long as possible.
Six to eight hours is the max, and you can always remove the patch before then if you feel like your symptoms have subsided or you want to cleanse or moisturize the area. However, keep Reset on for at least two hours to see results. You can wear Surge and Signal daily, and Reset can be worn two to three times per week. If you have highly-sensitive or adhesive-sensitive skin, start with a shorter wear time to gauge compatibility.
Why Sustained Delivery of Ingredients Is Effective
Patches lock in moisture to prevent trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL), and they deliver gentle, active ingredients for hours at a time. This ensures the skin receives calming treatment overnight and throughout the day, soothing it quicker and giving the barrier a chance to rebuild. Plus, you don't have to pause your day or constantly think about your skin.
Surge works with the skin during Active Flare, supporting the barrier and helping to calm visible redness and inflammation.
FAQs
How often can you use an eczema patch?
Signal and Surge can be worn daily, if needed, until symptoms subside. Reset is recommended to be used two to three times per week.
How long do you need to leave a patch on for it to work?
This depends on your skin and the severity of your flare, but for best results you can wear the patches for up to six to eight hours. Wear Signal until the skin feels less tight and warm, Surge until redness and inflammation calm, and Reset for at least two hours to ensure the barrier is receiving the benefits of the ingredients.
Can you wear an eczema patch for too long?
There's no benefit to leaving patches on for over eight hours, as the effects from the gentle ingredients will have worn off and the adhesive will likely not stick as well. Also, wearing any patch (including pimple patches) for too long can cause bacteria to build up.
Do you have to reapply an eczema patch during the day?
No, you only need to apply one eczema patch per day to see results. Because they last for six to eight hours, you don't have to worry about bringing extras to work or school. You can also wear them overnight without reapplying.