The High Cost of Chasing Clear Skin

Beauty writer tallies the financial and emotional toll of acne

Jan. 29, 2026 at 11:23am

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A beauty writer details the significant financial and emotional costs she has faced in her nearly 20-year struggle with acne, including thousands spent on treatments, procedures, and products. She is not alone, as many women in certain industries and cities feel pressure to maintain flawless skin, even if it means sacrificing other areas of their lives. The article explores the concept of 'skinpostor syndrome' and the impact acne can have on one's self-worth and professional opportunities.

Why it matters

The pressure to have clear, blemish-free skin is pervasive, especially for women in industries like beauty and media where appearance can feel like a job requirement. This story sheds light on the hidden financial and emotional costs of chasing an unrealistic beauty standard, and how it can impact one's mental health, career, and overall quality of life.

The details

The article's author, a beauty editor, has spent an estimated $12,830 over the past five years on various acne treatments, including microneedling, laser sessions, facials, skin care products, and more. She has also turned down lucrative brand deals due to insecurity about her skin's appearance, even though her acne has never directly cost her a job. Other women interviewed, like Raveena Patel in Miami and Alexandra Leshner in Philadelphia, have also spent thousands on procedures, supplements, and specialized diets in their attempts to clear their skin. The article highlights how this pursuit of 'perfect' skin can feel inescapable, especially in certain cities and industries where appearance is seen as currency.

  • The author has been living with acne for nearly 20 years.

The players

Kristina Rodulfo

A beauty writer who has struggled with acne for nearly 20 years.

Raveena Patel

A 31-year-old woman living in Miami who has spent thousands on acne treatments.

Alexandra Leshner

A 34-year-old woman living in Philadelphia who has tried a multipronged approach, including hiring an 'acne coach,' to treat her acne.

Stephanie Chrispin

A 36-year-old woman living in Brooklyn who increased her monthly facial treatments to prepare for her 2025 wedding.

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What they’re saying

“Beauty, simply put, is a currency. I live in Miami, where it's hyperemphasized. Pretty privilege is just paramount to making it here.”

— Raveena Patel

“I could dedicate budget to it because in my 20s, I could not afford it.”

— Stephanie Chrispin

“I think what weighs on me more [than the financial aspect] is the emotional and mental impact of not having clear skin. Your brain is constantly going. It's pretty exhausting. I crave being free of it.”

— Alexandra Leshner

The takeaway

This story highlights the immense financial and emotional toll that the pursuit of 'perfect' skin can take on individuals, especially women in certain industries and cities where appearance is seen as a form of currency. It underscores the need to challenge unrealistic beauty standards and embrace skin positivity, as the cost of chasing clear skin can be detrimental to one's mental health, career, and overall quality of life.