Here are a few things you should never say to someone who has acne.
A person with acne may wash their face two or three times a day. They’re fastidious about keeping their skin clean, but they still break out.
It’s a myth that acne is caused by a dirty face. It’s actually caused by a combination of factors including hormonal changes, inflammation, stress, bacteria, and sebum/oil production.
A similar comment is, “You used to have such nice skin.” Yes, the person with acne remembers that. They want to have that clear skin again, and they are working on it. Don’t shame them in the meantime.
Mild acne can be improved with OTC products. But moderate to severe acne cases need to be treated with prescription medications. An off-the-cuff comment like this makes it seem like acne is easy to treat, but it isn’t.
Touching your face, while not particularly helpful, isn’t the cause of acne. In reality, acne happens for reasons beyond the person’s control.
Besides, some people don’t grow out of it. Many continue to struggle with adult acne.
With all the good teen acne treatments out there, there is really no reason to wait until acne decides to go away on its own. Starting treatment now will help a teen feel better about their skin and themselves.
Remarks like this make the person with acne feel like they are being judged and that acne is their fault. Try not to ever make someone feel guilty for their diet.
Instead, earn goodwill by acting like you don’t see that big blemish. They probably notice when you look at it and appreciate when you just pretend it isn’t there.
The medication or home treatment that worked really well for your friend may not be a good fit for someone else. Support the person with acne in their current treatment plan they developed with their dermatologist.
Even if a friend with acne followed your exact skincare routine (or diet, or vitamin supplementation, etc.) precisely, they would still have acne. And if you stopped your routine, you’d probably still have clear skin.
You know how best to care for your skin. Recognize that the person with acne knows the best way to care for theirs.
You don’t know the situation. Maybe the person is already under a dermatologist’s care. If you’re not sure, then you’re definitely not close enough to them to make this suggestion.
But if you know them well, and you approach them with love, caring, and tact, this suggestion might be just the push they need to make that appointment to help get their acne under control. They may be so dejected and discouraged that they didn’t know what step to take next.
Bring up the subject in a sensitive and compassionate way. Then they’ll know you care about their well-being, that you’re not judging them, and that you’re supportive.
