We have come a long way since dabbing toothpaste on our nose, chin and forehead, praying and hoping for the best.
Today, the humble spot, pimple and zit has a whole wardrobe of its own. Colourful stickers, tiny stars, pastel patches, all worn proudly like a badge of honour.
Let’s be honest. When you are staring into the mirror at a shiny, angry new spot, it is easy to want a quick fix. We have all been there. You feel a bit fed up, a little emotional, and suddenly a tiny star sticker feels like the best self-care in the world, a crown for the new head that grew overnight. It is comforting, but like many quick fixes, it comes with a few strings attached.
Now, this is just a thought, but when we peacock the sticker and not the spot itself, what are we really showing off? Are we truly owning our skin, or just covering it up in a cuter way?
And when we do that, we might encourage others to do the same, more stickers, more waste.
What if, instead, we went back to what many of us used to do before stickers were even a thing? We owned the zit with a story.
“I got this spot because I didn’t wash my face on Friday night. I had way too much fun and I was too tired.”
“I got these spots because I am hormonal.”
“I got this beauty because I am gluten intolerant but ate the best sourdough yesterday.”
“I got these spots because I am pregnant and my skin is doing its own thing.”
See what I mean? It is not about hiding, it is about connecting. When we tell our story instead of sticking a star over it, we give others permission to do the same.
Honestly, we love it. There is something wonderfully freeing about saying, "Yes, I have a spot. No, I am not hiding it.". For once, we are celebrating our skin exactly as it is, with a little extra sparkle.
In my opinion, it is where the shame around having acne and spots can stop, and where true confidence can begin. However (and you know there is always a catch), unfortunately these spot stickers are around and being used. As lovely as they are, they come with a little catch: they are single-use. One sticker, in one bin.
If you are anything like us at Olive & Joyce, that niggles at the back of your mind a bit too.
It is not just spot stickers, is it? It is another thing adding to the one-use collection. Face wipes, face tape, cotton pads, cotton cue tips, sanitary products, all the little things we use once without a second thought. It adds up, not only for our skin but for our planet too.
So What’s Actually In a Spot Sticker?
Hydrocolloid might sound a bit science lab... and it is. It is a man-made material, created from gel-forming agents like pectin (from fruits) or plant-based cellulose. It was first used to heal wounds by keeping them moist and protected, helping them quietly heal.
There is a catch though!
As mentioned above, hydrocolloid is man-made and designed to be super durable, which unfortunately means those tiny stickers do not break down once they are binned. They are another single-use item heading straight to landfill, a tiny thing we do not see, but the planet feels.
While they can help certain spots (especially juicy surface ones you picked in the morning and want to keep clean and covered), they are not always the right tool for every blemish.
Deep, cystic spots sit far below the skin, where no sticker can reach. If your skin is not freshly cleansed before sticking one on, you could actually be trapping bacteria underneath, making matters worse. (D'oh! In the words of Homer Simpson.)
Spots Happen. Let’s Be Kind (to Ourselves and the Planet).
First things first. If you are battling a spot (or five), you are not alone. Spots can feel personal, sometimes affecting our confidence in a way that is hard to explain, and that is exactly why self-love matters more than ever.
Here are a few of my favourite people on Instagram who bravely and beautifully share their journeys with acne: Maia Gray, Izzie Rodgers, Patsy, Rachael. and in the wise beautiful words of Ally its important to remember “We are so much more than our skin.”
Loving your skin does not have to cost the Earth.
Preventing breakouts is a slow and gentle game. No quick fixes, no harsh treatments, and absolutely no toothpaste blobs needed.
Here is what I have learned from my own experience:
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Check where your spots are.
Forehead spots? They can sometimes hint at food intolerances; gluten and dairy are usual suspects. Chin and jawline breakouts are often hormonal. Cheek spots? Could just be your phone or pillowcase needing a good clean. -
Simplify your skincare.
Too many serums, actives and miracle cures can confuse your skin. Two or three beautiful, nourishing products are plenty. (We believe in quality over quantity, always.) -
Swap soap for oil.
Soap can dry your skin out, and guess what? Dry skin can cause more spots, not fewer. A gentle cleansing oil keeps your skin happy, soft and strong. -
Exfoliate with love.
Dry, flaky skin can clog pores and lead to breakouts. A gentle, regular exfoliation helps clear the path for fresh, glowing skin.
A Final Word (with a Hug)
We love that spot stickers are helping people feel proud of their real skin. It is a small revolution in self-acceptance, and that is something to celebrate.
However, as always at Olive & Joyce, we believe true beauty goes hand-in-hand with conscious choices.
If you love spot stickers, no judgement here. (We have all been tempted by a star-shaped plaster at some point.) But when you can, opt for prevention over patching, and choose reusable or planet-kind alternatives wherever possible.
Looking after your skin should feel good.
Looking after the planet should feel even better. ✨
If you are ready to give your skin a little extra love the natural way, our Lustrous range is made just for you. A gentle oil cleanser and nourishing face cream, both crafted to balance, soothe and support spot-prone skin, without costing the Earth.
You can explore The Lustrous collection here. 🌿