Acne.org Products
- "Crator Face."
- "Pizza Face."
- "What's wrong with your face?"
- When I was in junior high a girl asked "what are all those black spots on your face?"
- "You need to take vitamins."
- One time, a lady that I attended church with, stopped me in the grocery store. She asked me what medications her son should use to clear up acne because "he doesn't want to look as bad as you." Can you believe that?? This happened years ago, and to this day I can't believe the rudeness.
Thing is, I was under the care of a dermotologist. This was over 20 years ago, and the medications that are available today were not available back then. As a female adolescent, suffering from moderate/severe acne, all of these comments were hard on me and affect me to this day. I'm sure it's rough on the males too. Although, the acne has mostly cleared up, I registered at this site because both of my sons are suffering with acne now. However, the responses on this forum are as vital now as they were back then because you never forget those mean things people say. I still deal with the physical and emotional scars, and wish I had a resource like this back when I was younger.
I'm pretty clear now but not long ago, maybe 2 years ago when acne was at it's worst when i was a junior in highschool i've never had anyone say anything about my face. I'm really stunned by all of what you people are being told. Back then my acne was moderate, and No one ever told me anything, apart from my mom who was giving me advice when my face looked horrible. I'm pretty sure people were talking behind my back about it but never has anyone commented on it, thank god. I'm in canada btw, maybe people here make less remarks on these things. If anyone did make a rude remark about my acne, I would, without a doubt, Punch them in face until they said sorry, and then say, what's wrong with your face? 
I was talking to a friend today and telling her that my acne makes me feel ugly and she told me I wasn't ugly just my acne was really really ugly. Thanks, that makes me feel so much better about myself. I also work at a daycare and a lot of the kids point to my face and ask why I have so many boo boos in front of parents and people I work with. I also remember when I was 13 ( I am 22 now) my brother told me that I would never get married cause no guy would want a wife with acne. Thanks bro. Some times I just don't want to leave my apartment. When I talk to people I feel like they are looking and focusing on my pimples.
I remember I was at the Orthodontist for a check up on my braces. Well, as she was looking down and checking out my braces, I noticed her eyes would kind of just circle around my cheeks and forehead. Then she said, "You should really see a dermatologist." I replied, "stfu and do your job."
There's a lot more but it just pisses me off
I remember I was at the Orthodontist for a check up on my braces. Well, as she was looking down and checking out my braces, I noticed her eyes would kind of just circle around my cheeks and forehead. Then she said, "You should really see a dermatologist." I replied, "stfu and do your job."
Ha ha, this reminds me of my dentist appointment over the weekend, I was getting my teeth cleaned and the dentist and I were chit-chatting. She asked what minocycline was, because I had it written down on my form as medications i'm taking. I told her it was for acne, and she then went on to tell me how she had acne when she was a teen but then grew out of it. Then she asked if I had ever tried Proactive. She wasn't mean about it or anything, but I was just thinking in my head that if it weren't for her cleaning my teeth and me not being able to speak I would have told her to quit giving advice on acne and stick to dentistry. Proactive is worthless for most people.
I worked as a cashier at a hardware store for a good 8 months and I never want to work a job like that again.
It was ridiculous how many customers would ask me if I was using anything for my face etc., or children asking me "What's that stuff on your face?" However, the most encouraging thing one guy said on his way out when he was done paying was "Hey I bet a lot of people make comments about your face, but I was pretty much the same at your age and when I turned 25 it all went away, I'm sure the same will happen with you bro."
It is amazing how some of the most well-intentioned comments can be so hurtful. I would think that as a fellow sufferer of this condition, he would have the sense to just leave the issue well enough alone!
I worked as a cashier at a hardware store for a good 8 months and I never want to work a job like that again.It was ridiculous how many customers would ask me if I was using anything for my face etc., or children asking me "What's that stuff on your face?" However, the most encouraging thing one guy said on his way out when he was done paying was "Hey I bet a lot of people make comments about your face, but I was pretty much the same at your age and when I turned 25 it all went away, I'm sure the same will happen with you bro."
Being fortunate enough to be amongst private school spoilt brats (sarcasm) you get comments at my school..
I think the worst verbal one would be by a jock who was with a girl in the library, who kept iterating that I had disgusting, greasy skin, and that i should wash (oh yeah, we've aaaaall had the wash one...) and he kept repeating it, to try and provoke me, i'm guessing.
But I think the worst, as someone said earlier, is actually when people stare at it, or dont look you in the eye when they talk to you, they look at your acne, or away from you. Like, I was getting my repeat prescription for benzoyl and the pharmacist's eyes kept going up down up down up down to my forehead and back. I felt like just fucking saying 'LOOK ME IN THE FUCKING EYE YOU BITCH.'
Somedays I just wish acne was some compulsory thing that everyone had to go through, so everyone could vbe on the same page, and noone would insult.
People don't realise how big acne is. I mean, I know people have other issues, but I'm sure everyone here, at some point or another, has heard someone say they feel sad or depressed about something, and you just quietly think 'you don't know how fucking lucky you are.'
So sorry to read about all of the disgusting, insensitive people out there!
The meanest thing anyone has ever said? There has been a few!
I remember when I was 11- it was my first day of secondary school and I was sitting at the back of the class with my friend. One of my other 'friends' was sitting with this boy I didn't know a few seats away from me, when the boy walked over to me, sniggering and said 'haha- you have to use clearasil!' and he looked back at the friend he was sitting next to, who was laughing as well. She'd obviously been telling him all about the extensive content of my acne-fighting shelf in my bedroom. I was so embarrassed as everyone around was looking at me that I just started to laugh nervously. People said I had a cute laugh and later in the class a girl I didn't know made the same Clearasil comment and I obviously looked hurt this time and she said that the friend I was sitting next to told her to say it so I would laugh again... Yeah, right!
Another time when I was about 12, I was walking to my class with this girl and she was staring at me and finally said, with a big smile as if she was being so helpful, 'I know why you're so spotty- your hair's greasy and it rubs onto your skin!'. I was so annoyed by this as I was such a shy kid and didn't want to draw anymore attention to my skin so I didn't even say anything back- I wish I had! She was very overweight and had horrible straw-like bleached hair- a comeback would have been easy! I've dreamed of turning around to her, all sweet and smiling, and saying ' and I know why you're so fat- you eat too many cakes!'
My auntie always now goes on and on about how bad my skin used to be and asks why it was so horrible. I try to play it down saying- it was just a teenage thing- and she says 'oh no you looked disgusting!' and this hurts so much, even if she thinks she's trying to be nice by saying it has improved.
There's been a few others- especially things I've overheard people say about me and it hurts so much... Like these girls walking past me and one of them saying 'she looks like your mum' and the other replying 'eeeeeew are you trying to say my mum is a spotty monster?'.
The sad thing is that none of these people will even remember the careless comments they have made and yet they'll stay with me forever. 
The meanest thing anyone has ever said to me when I had a bad breakout was when i was in my senior year of high school... I was sitting at a cafeteria table with all of my friends and two of the guys (they were dumb popular jocks so thats my reason for not caring too much about it) said to the WHOLE table (we are talking at least twenty people here) "Hey! Sam has a butterface doesn't she!?" I held it in and went to the bathroom and then cried and cried.
For anyone who doesn't know what a butterface is its when a people think a girl has a nice body and/or hair but doesn't have a nice face. Everything is good...but her face. Hence the word butterface.
The good news is when my acne mostly cleared up the guys both asked me out and I rejected them so I guess that kind of makes the situation better, even though there is absolutely NO reason why anyone should be so cruel to another human being.
Classmate staring at my face, I think freshmen or sophmore year and I said, "What?"
He said smiling, "Just looking at your face."
I said "Oh." and acted like I didn't care. But obviously I did, since I still remember it to this day. (Senior year next).
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I think it was on the bus drive home. My friend said, "Hey theres a D on your face!" (Apparently I had enough pimples that formed the letter D on my face). And a hott chick said "Oh haha yeah he does!"
Again I smiled and asked "Oh do I really?" Acted like I didn't care. But I honestly did.
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Now to this day. I don't have much acne anymore. Just a few reeally tiny break outs here and there. I'm mostly stuck with very light scars. And I actually just did my first 40% Lactic acid peel and so we'll see from there.
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EDIT: A few more:
We were bored and my friend had a camera and decide to take a few pics of me and my other friend that was there. He took a pic of me standing against a wall. Then was like "oh wait." smiled, and put the camera up close to my face and took a picture....
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I'm sure theres A LOT more times where someone said something mentioned/said something mean about my acne.
Best reply when someone asks about your acne?
"It's a side effect of the cancer treatment."
Golly gosh darn does that ever make them feel like shit. Haha, it's the best comeback ever. You just say it in this really serious, sad tone. And then their eyes go wide and they feel so guilty for mentioning it that hopefully next time they'll keep their mouths shut.
I really hate when people who have perfect skin try and tell you what you should do to clear up your skin. Like they would know! They think they know everything about how to get rid of pimples, as if you don't try and get rid of them.
Being fortunate enough to be amongst private school spoilt brats (sarcasm) you get comments at my school..I think the worst verbal one would be by a jock who was with a girl in the library, who kept iterating that I had disgusting, greasy skin, and that i should wash (oh yeah, we've aaaaall had the wash one...) and he kept repeating it, to try and provoke me, i'm guessing.
But I think the worst, as someone said earlier, is actually when people stare at it, or dont look you in the eye when they talk to you, they look at your acne, or away from you. Like, I was getting my repeat prescription for benzoyl and the pharmacist's eyes kept going up down up down up down to my forehead and back. I felt like just fucking saying 'LOOK ME IN THE FUCKING EYE YOU BITCH.'
Somedays I just wish acne was some compulsory thing that everyone had to go through, so everyone could vbe on the same page, and noone would insult.
People don't realise how big acne is. I mean, I know people have other issues, but I'm sure everyone here, at some point or another, has heard someone say they feel sad or depressed about something, and you just quietly think 'you don't know how fucking lucky you are.'
I hate goin the pharamacy to get Quinoderm ie BP, and the question that they always ask is "Have you used this before" It annoys me because i have been using it for 2 years.
But, yer i totally get where you are coming from with the stares, the thing that annoys me most, is when you are talking to someone and your notice someone at the corner of your eye, staring at you, or when the person you are chatting with starts touching there face in a way to check as if they have the disease.
and as for school, i would get into fights and what not, but nothing about my face was ever mentioned, i suppose it never bothered me back in the day.
I dont think anyone has said anything really nasty, apart from one of my 'mates' a few times, saying different things. But i just hate the stares you get when out and about, i actually got really mad yesterday at this man ( im only 17), i could see him looking at me and laughing, so i went up to him and just said what are you laughing at? He said nothing, then i said, if you laugh at me again i'll *** ** ***** , loudly, then walked out. I just couldnt take anymore, i would love to smash there faces in, then go to the hospital and say, well look at your face now!!
p.s i hope nobody feels im an angry person lol 
The sad thing is that none of these people will even remember the careless comments they have made and yet they'll stay with me forever.
That's interesting to me because that's an observation I've made as well. There have been times when I confronted people with things they did/said and they honestly had a hard time remembering. It's strange.
Many people go around making malicious comments. Hurting people left and right. And where I live it just seems to be, you know, the norm. Everywhere I go I meet people who cross lines. It's very appalling and infuriating.
I've seen many people who conform to this. Who throw their values out the window in order to be accepted by certain social circles. Because they want to have more so-called friends, they're afraid of being alone or whatever... It's saddening.
Anyway, not to go too far off-topic; what I find I do when people make remarks is ignore them. They're making fools of themselves, really, by acting the way they do. And if you ignore them, that becomes all the more apparent to their surroundings.
But in certain situations it's difficult to ignore them, I find. Like when a co-worker says something in a canteen. Or many other job related situations. But I always keep my cool and never raise my voice. I think that's important; to keep acting in a calm manner. Any other attitude only has adverse effects, I think.
I think I posted here before, but I remembered another one...
I was getting my hair done during one of my worst breakout periods, and I was preggo. That WHOLE 9 months involved cysts daily. I love my fiance..... Anyways....
I was getting my hair done, and a lady asked me did I use anything for my face. I said yeah, but was thinking OF COURSE NOT! I PREFER to break out, duh. Then she went on and on AND ON... "They have this stuff called ProActiv (like I didn't know, right?). You should try it. Cuz you have a pretty face, but...." And she trailed off. I was FURIOUS. HATED it. You are not helping by blasting me, and you are not telling me shit I don't fucking know! Don't you think I have tried EVERYTHING I could get my hands on????
Come on! Why do people think we are doing nothing to help ourselves.
ALSO: I am very anti-social and hate meeting new people. I was at my fiance's aunt's house, and all of his female cousins were there, with beautiful skin I might add. All of a sudden, one of his cousin's son's asked his mother for a Pepsi. "OH, NO. YOU CAN'T DRINK SODA. NO. I DON'T LET HIM DRINK SODA CUZ HE'LL BREAK OUT." This is in caps because of how loud she had to broadcast it with me sitting in the MIDDLE of them all. I tried to let it go, but they just couldn't. Suddenly a myriad of questions and statements were thrown around (none at me, though) "Why don't you just wash your face", "I just wash and I'm fine", (my fiance chimed in) "I don't break out like that, you know us men don't do a whole lot to our face", "No, he breaks out bad. He's not ALLOWED to drink no soda, no no."
Although none of that was directed to me, I fell back into my shell for the rest of the time we were there. My fiance noticed after 20-30 mins and we left...
Everywhere I go I meet people who cross lines. It's very appalling and infuriating.
Here's an example of this: one time I was in a cafeteria waiting for my order when a boy came in who was, like, 10 years old max. He came to get his order to bring to his parents. And the guy behind the counter asked this kid if knew what a "pussy" was. The kid honestly didn't know what he meant so he replied with "No". To which the guy behind the counter said "Well why don't you go home then, and ask your mother what a pussy is".
You see what I mean? It's infuriating.
my dad all the time will just be like 'hey whats that on your face' and its so annoying cuz he does it just to pick at me...or my little brothers and sisters will say 'what are those things all over your face?' It's like you know they're little so they're not trying to be mean but it just brings me down :/...
Hey!
This is my first post!
Gosh theres loads...
erm
'Acne, Brace' (I had a brace too for a while).
A dinner lady at school telling a girl in the dinner queue in front of me 'You best eat you'r greens because if you don't you'll get spots!'
Once out shopping with my mum (I was only little about 11ish), A woman stopped who was serving us, started telling me i should see a derm, that she did ect ect.. going on like forever and ever.
'She looks like she's had boiling water from a kettle poured over her face.. oo she's going redder!'
All these times and so much more i just took it! I wish i could go back now and react, not violently but at least show my emotions. I remember once tho, we'd just come back from christmas holidays at school, i was about 13 (Acne was bad), 'Did u get clearasel for christmas, you should have' (something along those lines anyway). I really reacted by shouting at the guy who said it, think he was quite thrown actually he looked embarrassed and said that his friend had told him to say it (as if that excuses it).