Think Before You Speak
As common a skin condition as acne is, it's no less frustrating to deal with. Even more annoying is dealing with other people's reactions to it, as if they have a right to comment on someone else's skin. Even when these comments are meant to sound helpful and reassuring, they often come across as insulting, patronizing, or dismissive instead. Sometimes, it's better to keep your thoughts to yourself. Here are 20 things to never say to someone with acne.
1. Do You Wash Your Face?
People who have acne are much more diligent about proper facial cleansing than anyone else, so throwing out this question is not only rude, but also ignorant. And to immediately assume that they only have acne because they have leftover grime on their face says a lot more about you than them.
2. You Should Stop Wearing Makeup
If you're someone who doesn't regularly deal with breakouts and acne, you don't get to have a say in whether someone should or shouldn't wear makeup. To you, you might have a clear base to work with so your opinion is skewed, but someone who constantly deals with redness and pustules will not think the same. Plus, it's their choice if they want to wear makeup.
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3. You Should Eat Healthier
People who have acne have probably already tried everything in the book, from changing their skincare routine to their diet. But everyone's body is different, and quitting sugary treats and dairy doesn't always solve the problem. The best thing to do? Don't offer unsolicited advice.
4. You Should See a Dermatologist
Again, refrain from giving unsolicited advice, especially medical advice. People who have acne are likely already seeing a dermatologist and other specialists about their skin, and they don't need you to throw out random suggestions.
5. I Have Horrible Acne, Too
Unless you also deal with redness and constant breakouts and have been through the same journey, don't use this comment as a way to "cheer" someone up or make them feel better. It comes off even more insincere and demeaning if you say this but only have a small pimple and nothing to the level of what they're dealing with.
6. You Should Stop Touching Your Face
Again, people who have acne are probably much more diligent about what touches their face than you are. They're hyperaware of how clean or dirty something is, and will make sure to sanitize their hands before putting their hands anywhere near their face. They don't need you to make this comment.
7. Just Try Accutane
Whether it's Accutane, Proactiv, or some other product that you've heard about in the past that has helped people with acne, refrain from throwing out these recommendations without being asked. Everyone's skin reacts differently, and there's no "one size fits all," so your suggestion may not help their situation, anyway.
8. Shouldn't You Have Outgrown Acne By Now?
You might think it's only teenagers going through puberty who experience acne, but again, everyone's skin and body is different, and some might develop more sensitivity in their adult years instead. Adult acne is more common than you might assume, too, especially in women.
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9. You're Just Stressed
Sure, some people might get breakouts when they're stressed, but acne is also a condition that causes stress, which makes it a never-ending loop. Instead of making this comment, put yourself in their shoes first, and ask yourself if it's a helpful thing to say.
10. How Often Do You Clean Your Bedsheets?
Again, trying to assume that people who have acne are living in filth and don't wash their face or their pillowcases and bedsheets regularly says more about you as a person than them. Don't ask this question—you'll only make yourself look bad.
11. You Should Try This Skincare Brand
Unless you're explicitly asked for recommendations, don't just rattle off skincare suggestions unprompted. Remember, what works for you might not work for others, and you likely have a different skin type than they do.
12. Why Don't You Squeeze Your Spots?
Squeezing your pimples actually worsens the situation by sending the bacteria and inflammation deeper into the skin, which may cause scarring and permanent pockmarks. So, asking someone with acne why they don't "pop their zits" is in really bad taste.
13. What Happened to Your Face?
We probably don't need to explain this one for you to understand why you should never say it. Think about this way: if you have acne yourself and someone said this to you, you likely wouldn't feel all that great afterwards, right?
14. Oh My God, I'm So Sorry
Expressing shock and surprise because someone is dealing with acne is already in poor taste, but going down the pity route is just rubbing salt into the wound. They don't need you to feel sorry for them (and it's odd for you to think they do), so save these comments for a more suitable situation.
15. It's Not That Bad, It Could Be Worse
This comment isn't as positive or innocent as you might think it is. People who have acne are already stressed out enough about their skin—they don't need you to try and cheer them up by saying "it could be worse." Those words aren't even reassuring.
16. You Poor Thing
Again, having acne isn't something to be pitied for, and saying things like, "I'm so sorry," "You poor thing," and "I can't imagine what that must feel like" just comes across as odd. Even if you mean it with good intentions, it's not really going to help boost someone's confidence or make them feel better.
17. Do You Sleep with Your Makeup On?
Stop with the assumption that acne comes from dirty laundry and bad skincare routines. Again, people who have acne are likely far more meticulous about how clean their makeup products and brushes are, how often they should wash their sheets, and how well they need to wash their face at the end of the day. They don't need you to make these comments that insinuate they have bad habits.
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18. I Wouldn't Wear Makeup If I Had Acne
Unless you've had acne before and you didn't wear makeup, you don't really have a right to say this; after all, it's easier to make a comment like this if you've never experienced what it's like. If you were dealing with something similar, like a bad hormonal breakout, we can bet you'd definitely prefer to cover it up with concealer than to go out bare-faced.
19. Are You on Your Period?
Hormonal acne might be common, but everyone's skin reacts differently during their menstrual cycle, so throwing this comment out is an odd thing to say. Again, it's better not to make assumptions, especially when they're intrusive.
20. I Don't Even Notice It
Sure, if your friend's skin has healed nicely and you mean this genuinely, it might be okay to say it. But if they're clearly still dealing with it and it's been causing them a lot of stress, this comment doesn't come off as kind and reassuring as you might think. If you have nothing helpful to say, don't say anything at all.
