New data reveals acne overwhelm as 53% wasting money on ineffective products

Long misunderstood as a teenage concern, acne affects people well into adulthood. Yet public understanding, education and representation have not evolved.

That's the view of online skincare retailer Face the Future, which highlights the emotional, financial and educational gaps surrounding acne across all life stages.

In a new report, the company explores the UK’s acne experience, examining factors such as skincare overwhelm, misplaced trust in products, emotional impact, financial strain, and the increasing reliance on prescription treatments.

The findings reveal that 79% feel overwhelmed by products claiming to “fix” acne, while 53% report having spent money on products that did not work.

Julia Barcoe Thompson, owner and Director at Face the Future, said: "Acne is one of the most misunderstood and emotionally charged skin conditions our customers come to us about at Face the Future.

"However, most of us still associate acne with being a teenage concern, even though it affects people well into adulthood and menopause.

"We believe acne deserves the same level of understanding, empathy, and care as any other skin concern."

Despite acne being a common skin condition in the UK, confusion remains widespread. The report found that 43% of people tried products even when they did not believe they would work. Among 25-34-year-olds, 88% feel overwhelmed when choosing acne skincare.

It comes as 66% worry their acne won’t clear up, 33% often experience low mood because of acne, and 30% of 25-34-year-olds would rather experience wrinkles than acne.

In addition, 52% feel pressure to cover up acne with makeup to feel accepted by friends, family and coworkers, and 49% feel more judged for their acne than for anything else about their appearance.

Kimberly Medd, Head of Clinic at Face the Future, said: "Acne is more than cosmetic. It can affect mental health, self-confidence and social interactions. Education and guidance are vital to reduce anxiety and empower people to manage their skin."

Further highlighting the knowledge gap, 66% say they don’t know whether their acne is hormonal, bacterial, fungal, or something else. Among 18–24-year-olds, 75% don’t know what type of acne they have, and 74% of 25–34-year-olds are unsure, compared to 29% of 55–64-year-olds.

In addition, 40% believe adult acne is not talked about enough in skincare marketing, and 79% trust dermatologists more than skincare influencers for acne advice, while just 2% trust influencers more than dermatologists.

These findings fuel Face the Future’s “Acne At Every Age” campaign, which aims to improve education around acne causes, reduce skincare overwhelm, and empower consumers to treat acne with confidence rather than confusion.

"Acne affects people at every age, although we see a real need for education around how acne can present differently at each life stage. Awareness is the first step to helping people feel confident and informed about their skincare choices, which is why it is a central tenet of our campaign," added Thompson.