Nearly eight in 10 (79%) people with acne said they felt overwhelmed by the number of products claiming to fix their skin, according to new UK research.
The findings, from Face the Future’s Acne At Every Age – 2026 Report, were based on an independent OnePoll survey of 2,000 UK adults and highlighted widespread confusion, financial fatigue and emotional strain linked to the condition.
Acne product overwhelm and wasted spending
More than half (53%) of acne sufferers said they had wasted money on products that did nothing, while 43% admitted they had tried treatments they did not believe would work.
Trust in professional advice outweighed social media influence, with 79% saying they trusted dermatologists more than skincare influencers for acne advice and just 2% saying they trusted influencers more.
Two thirds (66%) said they worried their acne would not clear up, while the same percentage admitted they did not know whether their acne was hormonal, bacterial, fungal or something else.
Younger generations most confused about acne type
Confusion was highest among younger age groups, with 75% of 18–24-year-olds and 74% of 25–34-year-olds saying they did not know their acne type, compared with 29% of those aged 55–64.
Nearly half of Gen Z respondents (49%) said they had made their acne worse by using too many active ingredients, versus just 9% of over-65s.
Almost nine in 10 (88%) of 25–34-year-olds said they felt overwhelmed when choosing acne skincare, and 30% in that age group said they would rather experience wrinkles than acne.
Emotional impact of acne on confidence and social life
The research also pointed to a significant emotional impact, with 51% saying a single breakout put them in a bad mood for some or all of the day and 43% saying they felt anxious about being seen in public.
More than half (52%) said they felt pressure to cover up acne with makeup to feel accepted, while 49% said they felt more judged for their acne than anything else about their appearance.
Acne ranked as the second biggest impact on confidence (25%), behind money concerns (27%).
Women reported a heavier financial burden, with 60% saying they had wasted money on acne products compared with 45% of men, and they were also more likely to say they over-treated their skin (30% versus 23%).
Growing consideration of acne medication
Nearly three quarters (71%) of people with acne said they had considered going on acne medication, but just 2% said they were currently taking it.
A further 41% said they had taken acne medication in the past, while 18% said they had considered it but decided against it. Millennials were the most likely generation to have considered medication (78%), compared with 63% of Gen Z.
Awareness gaps around adult acne and menopause
Awareness gaps were also highlighted, with only 39% of respondents saying they were aware that acne could occur during menopause and pregnancy, and 40% saying adult acne was not talked about enough in skincare marketing.
