We tried Hailey Bieber’s favourite spot treatment to see if it actually works

Acne is a common issue among teenagers and adults, and whether you get the odd pesky spot or hormonal breakout, we can all agree it’s something we’d rather do without.

If like us you’ve tried every method under the sun to get rid of whiteheads, blackheads and everything in between, from toothpaste and Sudocrem to targeted treatments and facials, you’ll know how difficult it can be to achieve clear skin.

Sometimes spots also appear out of nowhere, no matter how diligent you are at cleaning your brushes, taking your make-up off properly and using the right skincare products. Not to mention that maskne is now a common problem, where the heat and humidity from wearing a face covering frequently can clog pores and lead to further breakouts.

Read more: Maskne: Everything you need to treat face-mask acne

But in recent years a new way of treating spots has emerged in the form of spot stickers. They are small, often mostly clear patches that can be applied before bed or onto a make-up free face, left for hours to get to work, et voila once removed the spot is gone. Part of their appeal is they’re discreet, barely noticeable if you want to wear them during the day, and mess-free for wearing them overnight.

Read more: 15 best vitamin C skincare products for a brighter and clearer complexion

Starface is the latest brand to enter the scene, and it’s gone for a different, louder approach to spot stickers. The vegan and Leaping Bunny certified skincare brand launched in 2019 and aims to bring fun into acne treatments with star shaped spot patches that are so Instagram friendly, it’s hard to resist a selfie while you’re wearing them. It aims to help users embrace blemishes via the fun design, rather than hide them.

Read more: Everything you need to tackle dry and dehydrated skin this winter, according to dermatologists

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Starface hydro-stars: £12 for 32 patches, Starface

First up is the super cute packaging; a hard yellow square pod containing 32 sheets, with four stickers on each, containing bright yellow stars that are hard to miss.

Each star is filled with hydrocolloid, which draws out pus from the area, (a lovely image, we know), blocks bacteria from getting in and prevents you from picking and popping inflamed skin.

In an ideal world, you shouldn’t be squeezing spots at all, as while the pressure forces pus out, it can also push pus further into the skin, rendering you with breakouts for even longer. This is easier said than done however, and as poor practice as it is, it’s oh so satisfying. So anything that could help us avoid the dreaded pick gets our attention.

It’s recommended to leave them no for six hours or overnight, so we tried both. It can be a little fidgety removing them from the film, and they have a tacky feel on the sticky side which is surprisingly a very good adhesive.

We popped three on some hormonal spots that just won’t budge on a clean face and jumped into bed. The next morning they hadn’t moved and they’re so weightless you forget your wearing them.

We also wore them during the day, and while they aren’t quite suitable for the office, the patches were great to use while working from home. Again, we loved how they stayed put, even on our jawline and around the nose, looking like playful face decorations rather than a skincare treatment.

While they won’t do much for blackheads – you’ll have to rely on exfoliating acid toners and extraction facials for that –when applied to whiteheads we were dying to pop, we noticed a significant reduction in redness and it was almost completely gone after one use.

They work fast, while you feel nothing at all, and they do a superb job at preventing you from picking at or trying to squeeze spots.

They are fun to look at too, which was a deliberate choice by the brand, as once they’re on you can’t help but want to snap a photo for Instagram, instead of shying away from the camera, or mirror as we often do during a typical breakout.

The self-consciousness that comes with a smattering of spots quickly disappears too, a liberating feeling if you find being make-up free in public a challenge.

If you’re struggling with face mask-induced spots, particularly around the chin area, we’re happy to report they sit comfortably under a face covering without any issue, staying place and treating the problem without hindering your day.

While we’ve become firm fans of the products, it is important to note that it’s not a quick fix. Spots can take weeks to fully go away and there’s many other factors to consider such as hormones, stress, age, lifestyle and diet that can play a part in your skin health.

Instead think of them as an aid to reduce redness and minimise the size of the odd spot, while being so bright and colourful, they distract you from squeezing and picking at every chance you get.

You can buy them as a one time purchase, with refills costing £9, or through a subscription service either once a month, every two months or every three months. If you’re new to them, we suggest trying them out before committing long term.

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The verdict: Are they worth it?

Starface’s hydro star spot patches are an affordable, effective product to slot into your skincare routine, and are easy to use and deliver realistic results to a bugbear almost everyone experiences.

We love how quickly we saw a difference in the size and appearance of our spots and will definitely be going back for more. It’s a handy companion to keep close when a pesky blemish appears. We can see why Hailey Bieber is a fan.

For more beauty must-haves, read our guide to the best vitamin C skincare products for a brighter and clearer complexion

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