Peel. Stick. 

Peel. Stick. 

Peel. Stick. 

I carefully remove the vibrant, yellow star from its thin plastic sheet, plaster it on the prominent sanguine bulge on my forehead and proceed to strip its adjacent patch. 

Some days, only one will be stuck onto my cheek. Other times, a mini constellation will be scattered across my face. 

These pimple patches have raised numerous questions from classmates to adults — all of which I have heard before. 

“What’s that star on your face?”

“Why do you have stickers on your chin?”

“What in the world is that …?” 

After constant stares and examination, not only targeted at my various patches but toward my skin issues in general, I think it’s finally time to accept acne; and, Starface pimple patches have helped me overcome this long term insecurity. 

I remember scrolling through countless influencers on TikTok wearing and promoting these mini stars in the summer of 2021, so when I noticed the product stocked on the shelves the next day at my local Target, I knew I had to grab my mom and buy a box. 

Although I don’t grapple with severe acne, Starface has offered an aesthetic antidote for my problem areas. The hydrocolloid infused in the sticker decreases the fluid in the pimple while also protecting it from any further bacteria. 

On my first day using the product in my freshman year, I initially started off with one star, putting it on my skin during the morning before rushing off to school. By the time I got to my sixth period, I had already received a couple of questions from classmates. 

Embarrassed, I briefly explained to them the gist of the product, then quickly moved on with my day. 

I didn’t begin to use the patches often until my sophomore year when I noticed more students wearing them as well, and my uneasiness dissipated. The questions started to decline, but if asked, I answered with ease. 

Starface subsequently gives me a boost of confidence by making it easier to acknowledge my acne with an adorable star rather than smothering makeup in a futile attempt to cover it up. 

According to Dr. Alexa Boer Kimball, a dermatology professor at Harvard Medical School, 67% of the people interviewed in her 2016 study admitted to feeling ashamed if they had acne.

It’s 2023, and people should not have to feel embarrassed for struggling with their skin, something that can be natural and normal. Starface offers an appealing aid to this issue. 

Chipping away at the negative stigma surrounding acne, the brand promotes accepting the little imperfections — a trend that should be normalized today.

It urges people, like me, who have dealt with low self-esteem and jabbing remarks, to finally feel comfortable in their own skin in a fashionable manner.

However, some may argue that such products are simply hiding the underlying problems of acne without offering an actual solution to achieve clearer skin. 

I’m not saying that we should throw proper skincare out the window, as finding products such as the right cleanser and moisturizer was a huge contributing factor to my skin’s improvement over the past few years. 

Starface should not be an excuse to dismiss skincare as a whole; in fact, that is not its purpose. 

They are made to wear alongside other skin revitalizing products, ultimately improving your skin while adding a small spark of color and novelty. 

The product has not only improved my skin but also eradicated the familiar tinge of disappointment and shame when spotting a growing pimple on the corner of my face. 

Still,  I occasionally receive the odd, curious looks from strangers now and then, who most likely think I have an unhealthy obsession with stars. I tackle their questions glady, reminding others of the patch’s purpose and moving on with confidence.