Peyton Palmer

PLACE A PATCH. Junior Summer Pinc puts a pimple patch on her right cheek. Pimple patches, with their ability to cure zits, have found a place as both an acne treatment and a fashion statement.

Stars. Hearts. Cherries. Surprisingly, these aren’t the latest update of emojis or snapchat symbols — they’re popular skincare patches that more and more teens have turned to deal with their acne. 

Ranging from $2 to $12, hydrocolloid pimple patches absorb excess fluid and bacteria through a gel layer, reducing inflammation and the overall redness of the zit.

Many U-High students have turned to pimple patches as a cheaper acne treatment option, and while some prefer subtle patches for effectiveness, many are embracing their blemishes by selecting stylish patches. 

Ninth grader Dorothy Jennett, who uses the patches roughly once a month, prefers them for their cosmetic abilities.

“The patches are somewhat effective for making the pimple go away,” she said. 

Dorothy also uses them for aesthetics. 

“I really like the ones with cute colors and designs,” she said. “They are convenient when you really don’t want your zits to show, whereas other treatments don’t actually cover up the zits.” 

Senior Ben O’Donnell also finds the patches useful for that exact purpose. 

“I mostly wear them at night, and when I take them off in the morning, the pimple is usually less visible,” he said. 

While many male-identifying students wear pimple patches, manufacturers tend to market primarily to female-identifying audiences. 

Sophomore Siena Moore has noticed the popularity of pimple patches among girls but suggests everyone struggling with acne try them. 

“I think guys tend to be more self-conscious about this stuff, but I honestly recommend them to everyone,” she said. “They make pimples look more fun, and have saved me so many times.” 

Similarly, sophomore Aiden Yu, who uses pimple patches at home but avoids wearing them in public, agrees they work well. 

He believes the reason more guys don’t comes down to individual aesthetic preferences. 

“Personally, I don’t like the look of stickers on my face, especially not the yellow stars or other colorful ones,” he said. “But I’ve never really heard a guy make fun of someone for wearing them. It’s a personal choice.” 

No matter the color, style or size, students seem to agree that pimple patches are worth it.