New Report Highlights the Rise of Acne Burnout

If your bathroom cabinet looks like a miniature pharmacy but your skin is still acting like it’s just hit puberty, you aren’t alone. The latest industry report from Face the Future has landed — and it stings as much as a high-strength chemical peel.

Based on an independent OnePoll survey of 2,000 UK adults ranging from Gen Z to Gen X, the report paints a picture of widespread acne fatigue, driven by conflicting advice, over-treatment culture, and rising emotional and financial strain.

The Cost of Misplaced Trust

We are a nation obsessed with glow-ups, but our bank accounts are feeling the strain. 53% of acne sufferers admit to wasting money on products that did absolutely nothing. Even more telling of our collective desperation is that 43% of participants admit to having bought a product while actively believing it wouldn’t work.

It’s little surprise, then, that trust is shifting back to the pros. While social media is flooded with skinfluencers, only 2% of respondents trust them over medical professionals. In contrast, 79% of people are turning back to dermatologists for support. This quality-over-quantity mindset is growing, with 40% of consumers now preferring to invest in one high-end, effective product rather than a dozen high-street dupes.

Gen Z: The Over-Treatment Generation

The report identifies a worrying trend among the youngest demographic. While Gen Z is the most skincare-savvy generation in history, they are also the most confused. 78% of Gen Z sufferers don’t know what kind of acne they actually have (hormonal vs. bacterial vs. fungal), leading them to a dangerous throw-everything-at-it approach.

The damage? 49% of Gen Z admit they’ve made their skin worse by using too many active ingredients. The social cost? 29% of 18–24s have cancelled plans because of their skin.

“This over-treatment culture reflects a growing disconnect between access to information and true understanding,” says Julia Barcoe Thompson, Co-Founder and Director at Face the Future. “Whilst younger consumers are highly engaged with skincare, they are also the most likely to experiment without guidance, leading to compromised skin barriers and prolonged breakouts.”

When Ageing Meets Acne

For millennials and Gen X, the struggle is uniquely psychological. In a world obsessed with anti-ageing, 30% of 25–34-year-olds stated they would rather have wrinkles than acne.

The awareness gap is widest here. Despite acne being a common symptom of life’s major hormonal shifts, only 39% of people are aware that breakouts can be caused by menopause and pregnancy. This lack of representation in marketing — noted by 40% of adults — leaves older sufferers feeling invisible.

“Many adults experiencing acne feel lost and unsupported, simply because skincare advice and marketing often don’t reflect the reality of acne at different life stages,” says Kimberley Medd, Head of Clinic at Face the Future. “When it comes to managing acne, understanding the underlying causes is crucial. Hormones play a big role, such as fluctuations during menstrual cycles, pregnancy, or menopause triggering breakouts. Stress is also a culprit, as it increases cortisol, which can worsen inflammation and oil production. Environmental factors, like pollution, weather changes, or over-exfoliation, can also exacerbate acne.”

The Emotional Weight of a Breakout

The report also confirms what we’ve always felt: skin is emotional. 51% of people say a single breakout can put them in a bad mood for some or all of the day, and acne is cited as the second biggest impact on personal confidence (25%). 52% of participants even feel they must wear makeup to feel accepted by friends, family, or colleagues.

The Prescription Pivot

Frustrated by the number of products claiming to fix acne — a feeling shared by 79% of respondents — the UK is looking for a medical exit strategy. 71% of sufferers have considered prescription medication, though currently only 2% are on it, pointing to a significant upcoming shift towards prescription skincare. This expected move towards medical intervention also underscores the broader need for clearer education and clinical support.

“This report was created to highlight the reality of acne in the UK today, but also to show where education and expert-led guidance can make a meaningful difference,” says Barcoe Thompson. “As skincare educators, we believe acne deserves the same level of understanding, empathy, and care as any other skin concern.”