Yes, Disgusting Pimple-Popping Toys Are Now a Thing

Gross as it may be, people love popping zits. Blackheads, whiteheads, they may say they don’t, but they’re lying. There’s something calming and addictive about bursting a pustule or squeezing out a sebum snake. Not only does the act of popping pimples relieve stress, but doctors say it can also release dopamine into the brain, bringing the picker to a much happier place. It’s why some people pick their spouses’ ‘bacne’ before bed and why there’s been a surge in the popularity of pimple-popping videos on YouTube. It’s also, apparently, why there is not one, but two toys on the market now that let people pick fake zits. And both are equally disgusting.

The newest is the brainchild of a husband-wife team with three (no doubt horribly embarrassed) kids called Pop It Pal. It’s a skin-safe silicone block (4″x3″x1″) that resembles a bar of soap and comes with 15 ready-to-pick pimples ⏤ essentially, pores out of which you can squeeze the pus. The act of popping is remarkably realistic as is the consistency of the sebum, which squiggles out like a real blackhead. Even better, though, is there’s no damage to your real skin. Also, since it is a stress-relief toy designed for repeated use, it comes with a 30ml refill of pus and one filling tool. So you can keep filling it up and squeezing them out. It’s sold in peach and brown for $20 and extra bottles of pus run $5.99. The only catch right now is that, as you can imagine, it’s having a moment. Shipping may take up to six weeks.

In the meantime, though, there’s also Zits (EWWW!) pop n’ play pimples. Admittedly, more of a kid’s toy, they’re essentially stick-on whiteheads that you pop to freak people out. That said, they’re no doubt equally as effective at satisfying fidgety fingers eager to squeeze, pinch, and pop. They’re also equally as nasty as the Pop It Pal, if not a little more so. Zits are reportedly safe, non-toxic, and, at first glance, vaguely reminiscent of Woogie’s love blisters in There’s Something About Mary. They’re sold in packs of 25 for $5 or 100 for $20. And while they’re currently only available online, they’re expected in major retailers, including Walmart, by next month.