Having acne can make you do some pretty rash things [1] to get rid of it. Think: applying toothpaste to a zit, spending more money than you would like to admit on treatments, attempting very scary at-home extractions [2], and so on. Frankly, we've all been there — even for those of us who's breakouts are but a distant memory.
As frustrating as it can be, the important thing to remember is that you're not alone in the struggle. Whether you're battling acne for the first or 100th time, or dealing with persistent pimples or the occasional yet very angry flare-up, we're in this together. We all have some sort of "acne confession" that we're holding, deep down inside. That's why we asked POPSUGAR editors to share theirs — from pimple popping habits [3] to (the most relatable) embarrassing stories — so we can relish in the shared experience.
"I'm a reformed picker . . . sort of. After years of aggressive picking in high school and college, I'm now hyper-disciplined about not picking at breakouts on my face. However, when it comes to scalp breakouts, all bets are off. I figure no one can see them anyway, so I revert right back to my old habits." — Dawn Davis, senior editorial director, Group Nine Media
"Since pimples became a frequent guest during my high school career, I learned to let them live out their course and endure through the bullying. Everyone has concerns with their skin so it encouraged me to learn what works best for my skin and to love it completely."
"Growing up, I thought zits were the worst things that could happen to me. I didn't wear a lot of complexion makeup when I was in high school so if one popped up, it was just there. I used to get planet-sized ones twice a year. They were so embarrassing and sat right in the middle of my cheekbone. I still have some dark spots from them. My skin-care routine was fairly basic — wash, tone and moisturise — but I was only using products around my house and not doing the research for myself. Since pimples became a frequent guest during my high school career, I learned to let them live out their course and endure through the bullying. Everyone has concerns with their skin so it encouraged me to learn what works best for my skin and to love it completely." — Rachael Edwards, social media coordinator
"I used to pick at my face with reckless abandon — especially when it came to blackheads. In high school and college, I was convinced that anyone who said popping a pimple would only make it worst was just not good at it. (I can't believe I'm saying that now.) I had this trusty little tool that I had gotten from Amazon — one that only professionals should be yielding — to help me get the job done. I would sit in front of my magnified mirror for 30 minutes attempting to remove blackheads from my T-zone area and causing far more damage than good. By the time I was finished my face would be covered in red marks. I shudder now thinking about it. Since then, I've learned my lesson and am good at not ever touching my skin but I have to admit, I still have the tool buried somewhere in my beauty cabinet — I can't bring myself to throw it away." — Jessica Harrington, associate beauty editor
"I know I shouldn't be (especially as an editor who writes about beauty all the time) but, I'm a big-timer picker. If I see a zit, I can not leave it alone — I've got to get that thing popped ASAP. I have a very pale complexion, so I have paid for my crimes with lots of pigmented acne scars on my cheeks. Vitamin C has become my new BFF for trying to fade them." — Macy Williams, editor, shop