Here’s Why Celebrities and TikTok Can’t Get Enough of Starface Pimple Patches That Flatten Out Acne

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While most pimple patches may not be something you’d want to show off around town, the Starface Pimple Patches strike a different chord. The brand made major waves when they released their adorable star-shaped acne patches in 2019. Now, take a walk around New York City and you’ll see men and women wearing those pimple patches like a badge of honor. Our editors have been long-time Starface fans, sporting them on flights, at the office, at home, and everywhere in between.

In addition to more than 4,600 five-star reviews on Amazon and millions of views on TikTok, these top-rated pimple patches have been seen on celebrities like Hailey and Justin Bieber, the latter of whom has been spotted sporting the patches around town. Not only are Starface Hydro-Star Pimple Patches objectively adorable; they also send the message that breakouts aren’t something you have to be embarrassed about. Yes, Starface Hydro-Stars cover your blemishes, but they also annihilate them.

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So how does the magic happen? These star-shaped pimple patches are created with hydrocolloid material that draws excess oil and sebum out of the pores. This helps to deflate pimples, while also providing essential protection from environmental pollution that can make matters worse (and preventing you from picking at blemishes). The star shape of the patches helps them adhere to the curvatures and contours of your skin without lifting.

While there are lots of acne serums, moisturizers for oily skin and even foundations for acne-prone skin that contribute to a well-rounded skin care routine, pimple patches are a great addition for daily TLC. Starface now makes many different iterations of the Hydro-Stars, but the original yellow patches remain the most popular. To truly put them to the test, WWD Shop editors wore them over the course of a few months. Sold? Don’t hesitate to order a set, as the Starface Hydro-Star Pimple Patches are on sale during Amazon Prime Day’s beauty deals.

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Starface Pimple Patch Review — Editor Testing Notes

I’ve been a proud Starface pimple patch supporter since the brand’s inception. During my five years of testing the patches — and many, many more acne patches — the yellow Hydro-Stars have become a mandatory addition to my medicine cabinet.

I have combination skin that tends to break out on a monthly basis. Fellow combination skin folks know that our skin type makes acne particularly hard to treat: The acne serums that work on the oily areas of my face tend to make the dry spots worse. I use a retinol product to help regulate this and balance out my skin, but I’m still no stranger to a surface-level pimple or a deep cystic bump. Pimple patches are one of my many lines of defense, but a particularly practical one as I live in New York City. What I love about Starface Hydro-Star pimple patches is that they not only draw the gunk out of a zit, but they also protect my skin from city grime (and the urge to touch my face).

The only thing that’s tricky about Starface Hydro-Stars is peeling them off of the plastic — I find that if I’m not careful, one of the star’s points will fold in on itself which makes it difficult for the patch to get a good grip on my skin. (Pro tip: Use a pair of small tweezers to gently grab the star, then transfer it to your skin.) Other than that, Starface Hydro-Stars Pimple Patches are a flawless choice for small pimples that you have the urge to pop.

As I apply the Starface pimple patches on clean, dry skin, I can get a solid six hours of wear out of them. One of the biggest differences I notice after using them is a major decrease in my skin’s inflammation and redness. These pimple patches won’t fully delete pimples after one wear, but they do help to substantially flatten them out, making them both less noticeable and easier to conceal with an acne-safe foundation or concealer — a dream for any acne sufferer. — WWD Shop Senior Beauty & Lifestyle Commerce Editor Claire Sullivan

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Meet the Tester

Claire Sullivan is the Senior Beauty and Lifestyle Commerce Editor for Footwear News and WWD, where she writes and edits beauty, fashion and lifestyle stories. She has over eight years of experience as a writer and editor for national media outlets including Martha Stewart Living, Martha Stewart Weddings, InStyle, and Byrdie. She keeps her finger on the pulse of all things related to beauty and wellness, as well as the latest shopping trends and clothing brands. Sullivan regularly wears Starface pimple patches on her combination, breakout-prone skin and contributed her testing review notes to this article.

Meet the Author

Brittany Loggins is a freelance journalist whose work has been published in GQ, InStyle, The Cut, Architectural Digest and more. Throughout her career, she has spent hours researching and testing products across fashion, home, and beauty categories. Loggins regularly reports on beauty products and used her expertise to write this article on Starface pimple patches.