You might think that celebs only use high-end, expensive skincare products to keep their skin looking flawless. But it turns out, they love a good bargain beauty buy as much as the rest of us, especially when it comes to keeping their skin blemish-free.
Take Anne Hathaway for example, who recently shared a photo of herself on Instagram sporting star-shaped spot stickers to combat a breakout with the witty caption: "Stars, they're just like us." The exact stickers she was using are the Starface Hydro-Stars Hydrocolloid Pimple Patches, which help reduce inflammation and absorb fluid from breakouts.
They're packed with skin-loving ingredients that soothe and heal spots, reducing their appearance overnight and taking away the redness and swelling. They're also perfect for reventing mindless picking and squeezing, which we all know can lead to bleeding, infections and scarring, leaving your blemishes looking worse. So remember, hands off!
The star shape isn't just a cute and fun addition to your face, it also serves a practical purpose. Unlike the typical circular shapes, the star silhouette grips onto the contours of your face more easily, so it won't peel off or slip no matter where you place it.
You can grab a dual pack of the Starface Hydro-Stars Hydrocolloid Pimple Patches for £24 on Beauty Bay, which works out at £12 per pack. The dual kit provides you with 64 spot stickers and two cases with a built-in compact mirror for storage, perfect for keeping one in your beauty cabinet and one in your handbag for those emergency breakouts.
This dual pack is filled with the signature bright yellow star-shaped spot stickers. If you're after Anne's exact multi-coloured version, you'll want to get your hands on the Starface Party Pack Spot Stickers. These come in an assortment of colours and will cost you £8.99 for 32 colourful patches.
If you're on the hunt for a real bargain, iconic skincare brand Witch has just launched its very own version with the Witch Don't Stress Spot Patches, priced at £3.30. These patches contain witch hazel and salicylic acid and are ultra-thin, making them almost invisible on your face, reports the Mirror. You'll receive an impressive 36 patches in a pack, with 12 medium and 24 small patches in each so you can have all your spots covered literally.
How Do Pimple Patches Work?
But do these trendy spot treatments really work, or are they just another fad?
Hydrocolloid patches, aka pimple patches, are designed to work by creating a protective barrier over an open blemish, keeping bacteria out and absorbing excess fluid. As the patch pulls fluid from the blemish, it should turn from clear to white.
Contrary to popular belief, the white spot isn’t sebum (whiteheads) or pus (pimples); it’s the hydrocolloid turning into a gel when it comes into contact with the fluid, according to Health. This is to create a moist, clean environment that promotes faster healing.
Although pimple patches won’t magically erase acne overnight, they have significantly reduced inflammation and sped up healing of individual blemishes. A 2006 study found the patches were effective at reducing mild-to-moderate acne, with the added benefits of controlling redness and oil production.
For those dealing with more stubborn acne, some patches come infused with salicylic acid, tea tree oil or other acne fighting ingredients. For instance, the Mario Badescu Drying Patches combine salicylic acid, hyaluronic acid for hydration and niacinamide to improve skin tone and texture. NBC Select’s associate updates editor, Zoe Malin, praised these patches for being practically invisible, making them perfect for daytime wear.
The Best Benefit of Pimple Patches: Prevention of Picking
But perhaps the biggest pro of pimple patches is what they prevent: picking — a temptation we’ve all faced, only to make things worse.
“It can lead to more inflammation, possible infection, and a bigger chance of scarring and discoloration,” Dr. Jennifer Gordon, a board-certified dermatologist, told NBC News.
By covering the blemish, patches make it nearly impossible to pick, allowing your skin to heal undisturbed.
Embrace Your Inner Celebrity
So, the next time you face an unexpected blemish, consider channeling your inner celebrity and slapping on a pimple patch.
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About the Author
Avery Newmark covers travel, health, events and trending news for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. With a dual background in film production and journalism, Avery came to the AJC after working as a video editor. She enjoys film photography and live music in her free time. Reach her at [email protected].
