New research from the NEUTROGENA® team has revealed that Brits are skipping key occasions due to having spots or acne. Top occasions being skipped include: appearing in a photo or selfie (33%), going on a date / first date (25%) and going for drinks with friends or family (15%).
8% of Brits surveyed said they’d cancelled a job interview because of spots or acne, 6% admitted they’d skipped work, and shockingly, 6% would even miss their own wedding day. When it comes to the everyday, two in five (40%) admit spots and acne prevent them from going about their daily routine, with almost a quarter (23%) agreeing that it happens frequently.
When thinking about reducing the appearance of spots, we’re a nation of squeezers (62%). Other methods include applying toothpaste on spots (37%), avoiding make-up (36%), removing sugar (13%) and dairy (11%) from their diet and 5% have gone vegan. The research also identified that one in five surveyed (19%) have consulted an NHS practitioner or professional dermatologist for help with their skin conditions. But it seems what stops people buying skincare products for spots or acne include products being too expensive (41%) and not believing they will even work (31%).
In search of clearer skin, almost a quarter (22%) have tried three different products to reduce spots or acne over the past six months, and on average, spend up to £17 a month on facial skin products, and 7 minutes a day on their facial skincare regimes. Women are more thorough when it comes to their skincare routine, with nearly twice as many (58%) using facial cleansers, compared to just 34% of men. In fact, 19% of men surveyed said they don’t have a skincare regime at all.
Even though dermatologists have been using light therapy for over a decade, the research revealed that 61% of Brits are not aware of this clinically proven treatment. Traditionally used in salons by skincare professionals, light therapy products can now be used in the comfort of one’s own home, and for a fraction of the price, thanks to the NEUTROGENA® range. Coming in the form of either the NEUTROGENA® VISIBLY CLEAR® Light Therapy Acne Mask, for mild to moderate acne, or the NEUTROGENA® VISIBLY CLEAR® Light Therapy Targeted Acne Spot Treatment to target specific spots– the blue light attacks acne-causing bacteria, while the red light reduces inflammation. The products are 100% chemical and UV free and have been scientifically proven to reduce the appearance of spots and acne.
An independent, multi-centre clinical study of the NEUTROGENA® VISIBLY CLEAR® Light Therapy Acne Mask, performed on 52 subjects with mild to moderate acne, showed that nearly 80 percent of subjects showed fewer breakouts after just one week of daily treatments.
When taking a deeper look at how acne and spots impact us on an emotional level, women tend to be affected more so than men, with 58% saying they’re more self-conscious when they have spots verses just 38% of men. Almost half of those surveyed, (46%) feel unattractive when they have visible spots or acne, with 35% feeling paranoid that people are looking at them. When looking at the lengths women have gone to in order to hide their spots, 7% of have used fake tan, 4% have worn a large hat and 5% have even gone as far as wearing a mask or veil.
While it may come as no shock that over half (55%) of 18 – 24 years olds experience spots frequently, surprisingly over a quarter (29%) of 45 – 50-year olds experience spots on a regular basis.
The top five facial skin conditions Brits surveyed regularly experience include spots (45%), dry skin (43%), blackheads (42%), oily skin (31%) and sensitive skin (30%).
How to use the mask:
This one-step acne treatment covers your face and is easy to use at home.
- Cleanse and dry your face.
- Plug the mask’s power cord all the way into the activator, ensuring that no silver metal on the plug is visible.
- Put on the mask like a pair of sunglasses.
- Press the power button and hold it down for one full second until the lights power on.
- Sit back, relax and enjoy your 10-minute treatment. You do not need to press the power button again – your mask will automatically turn off at the end of treatment.
About the NEUTROGENA® Visibly Clear Light Therapy Targeted Acne Spot Treatment
At the first sign of a blemish, the temptation to pick or pop can seem like the answer, but squeezing pimples can not only cause bacteria to spread but it can also lead to scarring and pigmentation. However, ignoring pimples means they can be with you for at least four days. With the NEUTROGENA® VISIBLY CLEAR® Light Therapy Targeted Acne Spot Treatment, you can start treating as soon as you feel a spot forming under your skin with results in just two days. Simply hold down the pen over the affected area for two minutes, three times a day for optimum results.
RRP: £29.99*
Stockist: Boots, Superdrug, Amazon and Look Fantastic.
*Pricing is at the sole discretion of the retailer.
