There’s nothing more satisfying for an acne sufferer than popping a pesky — and sometimes painful — pimple. Hey, it’s why millions of us can’t stop watching hours of videos of the process from derms like Dr. Pimple Popper. We’re all delightfully disgusted and completely mesmerized by what’s lurking below the surface of our skin. But now the skin-picking phenomenon has made its way to the toy aisle!
Photo via Unique Obsession.
Nope, it’s no joke, as there are now at least two toys that allow you to perform extractions without the worry of damaging your own skin. The Pop It Pal was first discovered by Buzzfeed and features a slab of “flesh” riddled with pockets filled with “pus” that erupt when you give them a squeeze. And not only does it have two skin tones to choose from, but you can also buy refills of the pus, so you can burst the blemishes to your heart’s content.
Designers Billy and Summer Pierce are huge fans of the cosmetic clips, calling it a “unique obsession” (which is also the name of their company), and spent a year developing the product. “One day, my wife and I were driving down the road,” Billy wrote on the company’s website. “She said, ‘How awesome would it be if we could make a pimple that felt real and the pop was huge, just like those videos we watch?’ I thought, ‘You might be on to something, dear.'”
But it’s not the only one available. During a late-night cartoon binge, I came across a commercial for Ewww Zits, a series of pus-filled stickers you can stick them on your skin and pop for your own pleasure.
Photo via IGotZits.com
Comparing the two on dermatological terms, the Pop It Pal resembles more of a classic whitehead, thanks to the more viscous pus. The As Seen On TV toy, on the other hand, is more of a pustule as it comes filled with a more liquid-y pus. Are you grossed out yet?
If I had to choose between the pimple popping pair, I’d more likely pick up the Pop It Pal. Aside from it being the less messy option, the fact that you can refill it is way more appealing than the stickers, offering more bang for your buck. Teen Vogue noted that commenters on the Buzzfeed story the Pop It Pal as a way to help those who constantly squeeze their skin, whether it’s caused by ADHD, anxiety, or any other reason. The Pop It Pal also puts acne in a more positive light since the focus is on the squeezing not applying the pimples to your face, which could make some acne sufferers feel uncomfortable in their own skin. Plus, proceeds of the Pop It Pal benefit a series of anti-bullying charities, which is awesome when so many are bullied for having the skin condition.
So I have to ask: Would you pick up one of these pimple poppers? If so, let me know which one and why in the comments!