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.

#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?

105 Member Comments

Dilettante 16 Oct 2016 9:52 AM

Yep-I'm not perfect. What a shocking revelation to every other imperfect person ☺

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Becstar 15 Oct 2016 8:04 PM

You shouldn't wear makeup all the time is something a lady recently said to me, mind you this lady spends a lot of money on her skin to decrease those wrinkles. I just smiled and left it at that. I love my makeup and getting creative with it.

Trish_D 15 Oct 2016 2:13 PM

I've never worked out what it is that some people think they have a right to tell others what they should do.

Neel8888 15 Oct 2016 1:02 PM

I started breaking out at 14 and it calmed down a bit when I got to around 20 but then it started again at 25 and now at 27 I have the oiliest skin I've ever had and I can't find makeup that doesn't break me out. If I don't wear makeup my skin doesn't break out too much but it still looks gross with so much oil and large pores. I really should see a dermatologist but I'm worried they might put me on the pill or something I will be dependent on :'( There's just no winning.

Meedee 15 Oct 2016 8:01 AM

Oh you so need to do one of these articles on Rosacea. The number of times complete strangers have argued with me over my Rosacea and insisted that I have bad sunburn and need to stay out of the sun or use sunscreen...ggrr

blackkittykat 15 Oct 2016 12:46 AM

Anything but the 'H' word - my skin has been prone to acne because of them. Stupid hormones!

darasparkle 14 Oct 2016 10:32 PM

8) All the freaking time - thanks for your unsolicited unhelpful advice and pointing something out I am obviously sensitive about.

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voievoda 17 Oct 2016 4:08 PM

My feels exactly!

duality 16 Oct 2016 9:39 PM

Hahaha your choice of font really conveys that message well!

Snailor 16 Oct 2016 1:19 PM

Agreed! Why point it out when we're obviously aware of it?!

Miss19 14 Oct 2016 10:02 PM

Sometimes people don't realise that by saying something they make it worse!

Deeknight 14 Oct 2016 9:10 PM

I feel every one of these. Stupid pimples

Ellelily 14 Oct 2016 9:05 PM

I did have it as a teenager. And am so glad its over, my daughter had it really badly. And she was put on a medication. The side effects werent pleasant but it worked really well for her.

Hayley644 14 Oct 2016 7:03 PM

I had terrible acne as a teenager and was referred to a dermatologist. Having acne really made me lose confidence in myself and I was always so self conscious. Thankfully it cleared up as I got older.

clearcrystalwater 14 Oct 2016 5:52 PM

Hormones! Sneaky things!

Yohanna 15 Oct 2016 12:53 PM

It is always the diet! When eating certain things (meat, dairy) that are by nature loaded with hormones compatible to our own (our fellow mammalian species) , this adds up to our own supply, and in the long term causes hormonal issues, and pimples in many, any many other health issues later in life....our body works as a whole, so you can not separate one thing and treat it in isolation. Wholistic approach is the only way! Healthy diet, and appropriate skincare. ...and add to that some products that can irritate the skin and not cleansing properly all the grime and makeup off....yup

So yes, people continue doping on excess hormones trough their diets (and we produce them ourselves already enough by nature) and blame hormones for their skin issues...funny that

Gilded 14 Oct 2016 3:34 PM

I've heard all of these and it does not help. Esp the advice on how to treat acne. Lol thank god I didn't listen and went to a doctor.

CourtneyWhite 14 Oct 2016 3:14 PM

argh its the worst! i have read every article under the sun i know what to do/what not to do and unfortunately nothing happens over night and works on everyone!

Brown Beauty 14 Oct 2016 1:36 PM

I had very bad acne when I was in early 20s and experience most of these things. Now thank God I have acne free skin but honestly its very hard time for girls.

Princess Perfume 14 Oct 2016 1:25 PM

My daughter is suffering from acne and has tried everything on it but it doesn't go away. She just might have to wait for it to go away itself.

duality 14 Oct 2016 1:05 PM

we've all heard at least one of these, acne can be such a confidence zapper, why people feel the need to add stupid comments when you are quite aware of it I have no idea! (it's not like they have never had one!)

Beauty Obsession 14 Oct 2016 12:57 PM

Advice in general can come off the wrong way and make you feel even worse. Lots of people become 'experts' when you're in some sort of crisis.

thelifeoflaura 14 Oct 2016 12:31 PM

I'm over it! I never want to hear any of them again!

blackkittykat 1 Oct 2016 8:47 PM

I hate hormones! And no, I will not grow out of it.

Blessed_Queen 22 Sep 2016 9:06 PM

Fifty and reliving this with my teenagers. I thought it would be over for me but no, like mother like daughters. All in my household have our own facial towels which are washed each evening after cleanse, tone, moisturise - repeat. An amazing (script only) drying zit agent is EpiDuo Gel in combination with a very good cleanser (12% glycolic) should fix the skin. Moisturise face but not the zit. It is all part of life peeps... and did I mention hydration? Water, water and more water to flush out those toxins.

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The most annoying acne advice we’re sick of hearing