Aerie for American Eagle Outfitters and Anthropologie are joining Urban Outfitters on the list of stores selling a Dallas-based skincare company’s acne solution product.

Both retailers plan to stock their shelves with WKND Cosmetics’ trademarked Simple Pimple Patch in January 2020, according to a statement. Anthropologie is planning to offer the product in over 185 stores nationwide.

WKND Cosmetics Founder Tissam Essafi created the acne patch as a solution to her own skin issues. Despite not coming from a traditional business background, Essafi developed the product with a South Korean laboratory and was excited to start sharing it with others through vendors, as well as her own company’s website and Amazon.

“I put together a list of stores that I really wanted, and I just did my research into figuring out, ‘Okay, who actually makes the decision about putting a product in stores?'” Essafi told Dallas Innovates. 

[Photo: Courtesy WKND Cosmetics]

The acne patch is natural, vegan, cruelty-free, and made with hydrocolloid material, which is used in medicine to improve the healing process.

“We’ve manipulated the bandage into patch form to ensure higher absorbency and stickiness,” Essafi said in a statement. “The water-resistant adhesive helps the patch to stay on the pimple as long as you need it to without budging. This helps keep the blemish protected from picking and to act as a barrier against other irritants that may lead to inflammation, infection, or scarring.”

Inspired by Korean beauty products, the Simple Pimple Patch is available in two versions, which can be hidden underneath makeup for daytime use or can be left on overnight with slightly stronger edges and 50 percent better absorption, according to a statement. 

“The idea behind that product was ‘on the go’ because you can wear it during the day. We’re all busy, and you don’t want to wait until night to put the sticker on. So now you can go to work, go to your Target, on a walk—literally anywhere,” says Essafi. “And you can’t even see it.”

Tissam Essafi [Photo: Courtesy WKND]

The product has also gained a social media following, especially through the popular social media platform TikTok. Charli Damelio, who currently has 7.9 million TikTok followers, posted a video using the product.

The Simple Pimple Patch is not just for teenagers either, as it has become a “cult favorite” for both young and adult women. One woman shared her own insecurities with Essafi about unexpected acne.

“I was like, ‘Oh my god, that’s my sign. I totally understand where you’re coming from,'” Essafi says. “And, even though she had a pretty dress and full-face makeup, and everything looked perfect, that made her feel insecure.”

After the nationwide launch in Aerie and Anthropologie WKND Cosmetics expects even more expansion efforts to be on the way.

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