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I’m a frugal shopper and rarely buy expensive skincare. The Acropass Retinol Microcone Patches, available on Jolse, have been in and out of my cart for months. Eventually, I gave in to the temptation and ordered them.
The package contains three individually sealed pouches with two patches in each (six patches total in the box). Acropass patches feature retinol, hyaluronic acid, and acetyl octapeptide-3 to promote collagen production and improve elasticity. Once applied, the micro needles dissolve and deliver the active ingredients deeper into the skin than other products. The brand reports a 23% reduction in wrinkles after just one use.
How to use
Cleanse and tone the skin
Apply the patches to desired areas
Keep on for 2 hours or overnight
Use in the evening 3-4 times a week for best results
The patches are rather small (see pictures), and can cover most of the undereye area, most of the nasolabial folds, or a couple of forehead wrinkles. The needles are noticeably “poky” but not painful.
My impressions
Mmmmmm… I’m trying to find something positive here. This is… innovative? That’s all I got.
I have combination skin with some early (ish) signs of aging, especially on the forehead. I’m a regular retinoid user, so I didn’t expect any issues from these patches. Of course, I didn’t apply them on the same day as other retinoids.
The first time I tried Acropass, I put one under each eye. For the record, I can use prescription strength tretinoin in that area with no issues. It started out ok, but in about an hour I felt a burning sensation and knew something was off. My skin reacted poorly to the adhesive, leaving raised red marks around the perimeter of the patch, especially on the outer part of the orbital bone. The skin that was under the microneedle part didn’t seem affected at all, just the edges. I did a super gentle routine that night, using 107 chaga cleanser and Illiyoon ATO cream before bed, and within 24 hours my skin felt and looked fine.
About a week later, I decided to try the second pack on my forehead lines. The stickers are small and don’t cover the area well, so I put them on the deepest lines. After close to two hours, I had redness under the adhesive again, but not as bad as when I used it around the eyes.
My skin is fair but not sensitive; I can typically use a variety of products without issues. But there’s something in the adhesive of these patches that irritates me. This very well could be a personal sensitivity, so let’s pretend for a moment that I’m not allergic to the sticky agent. Would I use these again? Still no.
At close to $30 for just three packs, Acropass Retinol Microcone Patches might be the most expensive product (per application) that I own. The patches are too small to be truly functional, and the recommended use of 3-4 times a week is around $120 a month (if using three times). Aside from the redness, I saw no benefit and no changes to the skin.
I get a more noticeable fine line reduction from a good hydrating toner and moisturizer, which plump the lines nicely. There are many over the counter retinoids that are a fraction of the cost per application and can be used consistently with good results. Depending on where you live, even prescription tretinoin is cheaper. I pay under $20 per tube after insurance, but it’s about $300 without insurance. That tube lasts me close to a year. Even paying full price, tretinoin is FIVE TIMES cheaper than these patches ($120 a month x 12 months = $1,440 vs $300). And there are retinoids that are even more affordable. Plus, a retinoid cream can be applied to the entire face, not just a small area.
This would have been a much different review if I saw a noticeable benefit after one use, as promised. But to me, it is a gimmick that’s not worth the time, effort, or money. And it seems that I’m allergic to the adhesive - a crappy cherry on top.
If you had a drastically different result from this product, please leave a comment. I’m just one person and we are all unique.
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Acropass Retinol Microcone Patch ingredients: Sodium Hyaluronate, Sucrose, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Cyclodextrin, Purified Water, Glycine Soja Oil, Sodium Hydroxide, Propylene Glycol, Allantoin, Polysorbate 80, Retinol(3,300IU/g), Panthenol, Acetyl Octapeptide-3, Capsicum Frutescens Fruit Extract, Arginine/Lysine Polypeptide, BHT