In an industry that has often profited from concealing imperfections, Julie Schott reimagined skin care to instead use self-love as the solution to acne. 

Schott, a former beauty director, left Elle.com in 2017 and co-founded pimple patch brand Starface in 2019 with the hope that younger consumers may embrace their often-stigmatized blemishes. “I felt like there were some things about the beauty and personal care space that I didn’t necessarily agree with,” said Schott. “I left to start exploring what it could look like to create a drugstore acne brand for the next generation.”

Where other pimple patches are marketed as being imperceptible, Starface’s Hydro-Stars are unmistakable gold stars, reminiscent of good-job stickers that kids are awarded. Starface’s recent collabs with Hello Kitty and Sesame Street featured the friendly feline and Elmo on the pimple patches.

“Our goal was always to make this bright, expressive decorative conversation piece,” Schott said. “You wouldn’t believe how many times people have said ‘I look forward to having a breakout.’”

Schott wanted accessibility to be a pillar of Starface. The product is sold at CVS, Target and Walmart in the U.S. and has expanded to stores in Canada and the U.K.

Compassion continues to follow Schott, 34, in her latest business venture, Plus–a new body care brand that shows kindness to the earth. The brand, which launched in 2021, features products including a zero-waste body wash packaged inside 100% dissolvable pouches. 

If you could have dinner with one person, alive or dead, who would it be and why?

A few years ago I went to a friend’s holiday party where I didn’t know anyone until in walked a familiar face. Not familiar like an old friend, familiar like a childhood memory. It was Monica Lewinsky. A girlfriend and I ended up hanging out with her because she didn’t know many people either, but I was extremely starstruck and hardly spoke. Monica, if you’re reading this, I have always admired you and I promise to be more interesting next time.

What are the top two social media sites you use on a regular basis? 

Starface was one of the first brands on TikTok, so I’ve been there for a few years now. The best way to describe my algorithm is as someone installing a hamster water bottle above their bed so they don’t have to get up in the middle of the night. Twitter is my favorite for following niche internet drama hoping to watch the next Zola unfold. 

What’s currently on your bedside reading list? 

“Token Black Girl” by my friend and former co-worker, Danielle Prescod. 

What was the last show you binge-watched?

Starface teamed up with “Hot Haus,” a competition show that spotlights NSFW creatives hosted by Tiffany Pollard (who we were also lucky to work with on our SPF launch) and it’s so fab. I can’t stop watching. 

At what age do you hope to retire?  

I consider myself very lucky to do entrepreneurial work. Retiring is not something that crosses my mind yet but ask me in 10 years.