Much to my dismay, I’ve suffered from oily, acne-prone skin since my early teens. If I’d been given a dollar for every piece of annoying acne advice I’ve ever gotten, I’d be a very rich and very happy woman. But instead, here I am, well into my 20s and still dealing with breakouts. From doctors to friends, family and even strangers on the street, I’ve heard it all, and if you’re reading this, I’m sure you have too. So here is a compilation of all the things we’re totally sick of hearing.
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#1 “You really shouldn’t squeeze that pimple.”
This isn’t my first rodeo, love, I’m aware of that. But when I said I needed to accessorise for my date tonight, a whitehead the size of Tasmania smack bang in the middle of my forehead is not really what I was after.
bh tip: If you can avoid squeezing the pimple, you should. Instead, apply Extract It to the culprit.
#2 “Do you sleep with your make-up on?”
Not only have I removed every last shred of make-up, but I’ve also cleansed my skin (twice), toned it and followed this with a spot treatment.
bh recommends:Avène Cleanance Micellar Water, Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel, Pelactiv Essential Clarifying Toner, Kiehl’s Blue Herbal Spot Treatment
#3 “Maybe it’s your diet.”
If I have to give up gluten, dairy AND sugar, what else is left to enjoy at meal times?
#4 “Have you tried cutting out chocolate?”
Have you read this article?
#5 “Your skin looks fine to me!”
I appreciate that you’re trying to make me feel better, but you, I and everybody else in a 10-metre radius can see the ginormous spot on my face.
#6 “Ugh, I’m breaking out too.”
If you complain about one tiny, that-time-of-the-month pimple to me, when my face is full of the pesky buggers no matter the time, I may end our friendship on the spot. Pun intended.
#7 “It’s just hormones, you’ll grow out of it.”
I may have believed you when I was 14, but 10 years later, I’m not so sure.
#8 “Have you tried [insert popular brand here]? It worked for me/my neighbour/her second cousin’s sister.”
What works for you will not necessarily work for me too, but thanks for the recommendation. I’ll add it to the list.
#9 “Just pop on some foundation and forget about it.”
Easy for you to say, Miss Porcelain Skin. Meanwhile I’m over here looking like Miss Rocky Road.
#10 “You shouldn’t wear make-up every day.”
Maybe you’re right, but maybe I like to pretend I have good skin during work hours.
bh tip: Aim for at least one ‘make-up-free day’ a week. It allows your skin to breathe, and your complexion will thank you for it.
#11 “Does that hurt?”
Large, inflamed cystic acne is not just unsightly, but painful too. I’m a lucky girl, I know.
#12 “It doesn’t look like the type of acne that will scar, so at least you’ve got that.”
My future self is thankful, but my current self is still focusing on the mounds on my face and how to get rid of/cover/forget about them forever.
#13 “You look so different without make-up!”
Somehow I don’t think that was a compliment, but I’ll take it anyway.
Do you suffer from acne? What other advice are you sick of hearing?
