I had acne since 14 and have had it on and off for many years. It was never truly bad since my twenties, but my skin condition fluctuated a great deal. I was on antibiotics for some years and it did not provide a long-term solution. Two months ago I started taking low dose accutane, and I stopped having new acne. I don't even need to use cleanser - I just cleaned my face using fresh water (so long as I don't wear makeup).

Like I said my acne was not truly bad. It was just persistent. I frankly did not find myself look bad. Yet what bothered me were remarks from acquaintances/strangers. One day, I was enjoying myself, seeing that my face had only one active pimple on the forehead and same very faint marks. I ran into an acquintance, who studied my face and then offered unsolicited advice: "you know how you can clear all these things on your face? put some aloe vera on them..." I did not realize my face was so bad until she said that. I tried to play nice and walked away after smiling and nodding. Yet she did not leave me alone. Later in the day, she came to me again: "I hope I did not offend you. ... but you need to put aloe vera on your face." she then motioned her finger to her face to indicate where my active pimple was.

another incident - I was a new student at a school and went out to meet new people. I wore some make up. A bitchy woman who saw me later that day at the dorm, when I had no make up on. She studied my face and smiled slyly. It was very rude. I knew I had two stubborn pimples, but my skin wasn't that bad.

From time to time I see random strangers with less than perfect skin. I don't find them gross at all. Perhaps my standard is just low.

having acne is not a sin. I can think of 10000 things that are worse than it. Why is it that people are so mean about it?

now that I have clear skin, I still get bothered by how rude some people can be.

did you have similar experiences?