For generations, the teenage skincare battle involved layers of heavy concealer to hide unsightly spots. Today, a new generation is flipping the script, deliberately drawing attention to their blemishes with brightly coloured, often decorative, pimple patches. What was once a private treatment has become a very public statement, driven by a host of A-list celebrities and now sparking a fierce debate about modern manners.
The Celebrity Stamp of Approval
The trend reached a new peak of visibility over the weekend when Cruz Beckham, the youngest son of David and Victoria Beckham, attended the high-profile wedding of Adam Peaty and Holly Ramsay at Bath Abbey. Dressed impeccably in a suit from his mother's brand and a tweed coat, Cruz's style was interrupted by a single, noticeable detail: a pimple patch firmly stuck to his face.
Whether an intentional fashion choice or a simple oversight, Cruz followed in the footsteps of numerous famous faces who have normalised wearing the medicated stickers in public. The trend is heavily promoted by brands like Starface, whose hydrocolloid patches claim to draw out impurities and reduce redness while protecting spots from picking.
The list of adherents is extensive and influential. Hailey Bieber has frequently showcased them in her skincare routines, calling them "cute." Her husband, Justin Bieber, has been photographed wearing them, stating they help with facial "purging." Actress Florence Pugh has thanked them in social media posts, while Anne Hathaway posted a bare-faced selfie adorned with colourful star-shaped patches, captioning it "stars, they're just like us." Other proponents include Nicola Peltz Beckham, Millie Bobby Brown, Willow Smith, Bella Hadid, and Dua Lipa.
A Clash with Traditional Etiquette
Not everyone views this public display of skincare as a positive form of self-expression or empowerment. Laura Windsor, a renowned etiquette expert who has advised on period dramas like Bridgerton, has criticised the trend as a sign of a "cultureless mindset."
"When people think it’s OK to step outside with pore strips and pimple patches plastered across their faces, it’s not 'self-care'," Windsor told the Daily Mail. "It reveals a cultureless mindset that has lost its bearings - where anything goes, anywhere and at any time with no respect for decorum, context or basic respect for others."
She argues that such behaviour blurs the line between private grooming and public appearance. "It’s actually public grooming and grooming, by definition, should be done behind closed doors, along with brushing your teeth, shaving, and applying makeup," Windsor stated. She concluded that the trend is "not a form of empowerment - it’s a public performance and status-chasing."
Beyond the Controversy: A Shift in Beauty Norms
Despite the criticism, the popularity of visible pimple patches points to a broader shift in beauty culture, particularly among Gen Z. Where previous generations felt pressure to present a flawless facade, many younger people are embracing transparency and normalising common skin concerns.
For celebrities like Anne Hathaway, this aligns with a more considered approach to skincare. She has spoken about treating her skin "more delicately" as she has aged, leading her to wear less makeup in her daily life. "I found that the longer I've made skin care a priority, the less makeup I wear," Hathaway revealed, highlighting a philosophy that values skin health over perfection.
Whether seen as a rebellious act against outdated beauty standards or a breach of basic decorum, the pimple patch trend is firmly in the spotlight. As celebrities continue to wear them from red carpets to supermarket aisles, the debate over what is appropriate public presentation is likely to continue, proving that even the smallest sticker can make a big statement.
