Despite the fact that it only started shipping its products to the UK in October 2017, Glossier has already amassed a loyal following. A handful of its products, such as Balm Dotcom and Boy Brow, have quickly gained cult status, Instagram is constantly awash with those millennial pink bags and news of a London pop-up in autumn has left us in anticipation.

It’s no surprise, then, that every single time Glossier announces a new product, a ripple of excitement cascades through the beauty industry. Every single time, that is, except for last September, when us folks in the UK found out we couldn’t get our hands on Zit Stick, a spot treatment packaged in a pen that resembles a whiteboard marker.

When it launched last year, Zit Stick, £12, contained 5% benzoyl peroxide to attack the germs that cause spots, tea tree oil and capryloyl salicylic acid (a less derivative of salicylic acid that is gentle on skin). Benzoyl peroxide can be irritating and cause peeling when it is used in high percentages. So, Zit Stick’s 5% formula could not be sold over the counter in the UK, Ireland, Sweden, or Denmark.

At the time, Glossier addressed disappointed fans, letting them know a reformulated benzoyl peroxide-free version of Zit Stick would hit UK shores soon Glossier - and it’s finally here.

The new formula contains 2% salicylic acid to exfoliate the skin and loosen sebum build-up in pores, with tea tree oil and capryloyl salicylic acid.

Just click the pen three times (though you need to twist it 16 times first to get the formula flowing), scribble over blemishes and the invisible formula (which can also be applied over make-up) will get to work. Glossier recommends using it at the first sign of a blemish and applying it up to three times daily until it’s gone.

Alongside its formula, is the Instagram-worthy packaging is we’ve come to love from Glossier. You can pop Zit Stick in your handbag to treat skin whenever and wherever needed, while the clever antimicrobial stainless-steel rollerball prevents bacteria growth.

As salicylic acid makes skin extra sensitive to the sun, don’t forget to apply SPF after. Read our beauty editor’s favourite SPFs here.  

All images: Glossier