A new survey commissioned by The Skin Investment Clinic, in partnership with Luna, the health and wellness app for teens, has revealed a worrying link between acne and the UK’s rising school absenteeism.
According to a recent separate survey by the charity Parentkind, nearly one in three children have refused to attend school at least once in the past year.
The latest data from The Skin Investment Clinic and Luna highlights how acne is contributing to the crisis, with 32% of young people saying their skin concerns make them less likely to go to school.
The survey also found that 71% of teenagers are experiencing acne either now or recently, with 40% reporting low self-esteem as a direct result.
Nearly 70% of young people say acne affects their daily lives either all or some of the time, impacting everything from attending school to socialising with friends.
The emotional toll is significant, with 31% saying acne makes them feel anxious and 12% reporting increased irritability. Social media appears to be worsening these struggles, with 54% of respondents saying it makes them feel more self-conscious about their skin.
Additionally, 37% feel slightly less likely to socialise with friends, further isolating them from important teenage experiences.
Recent reports have highlighted a concerning rise in school absenteeism across the UK, with Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson, describing it as an “epidemic”.
Parentkind recently revealed that 31% of children had refused to go to school more than once, with reasons including a lack of enjoyment, insufficient special educational needs provision and poor mental health.
This new data suggests that acne is another key factor holding young people back from the classroom – and from enjoying precious moments in their lives.
Holly Mason, founder of The Skin Investment Clinic, commented on the findings: “We see first-hand how acne can impact young people’s confidence and self-worth. These results reinforce just how much it can hold them back, affecting everything from social lives to education.
“At The Skin Investment Clinic, our mission is to provide expert-led solutions that empower young people to take control of their skin and, ultimately, their mental wellbeing.”
Graham Music, consultant child and adolescent psychologist, added: “The link between acne and mental health is undeniable. Struggling with acne at a formative time in life can lead to anxiety, social withdrawal, and even school avoidance.
Jo Goodall, co-founder of Luna, said: "These findings are consistent with the types of questions we are asked on our app, where many of our members are asking about how to treat their skin concerns.
“They are not only skin-deep concerns but show that teens' mental health is suffering because of their skin."
There is also another worrying trend amongst young people – that over a quarter of UK tweens are using potent actives like retinol and AHAs, raising serious concerns about long-term skin health. Click here to read more.
