As the bell sounded, 350 people comprising CeraVe Acne Academy’s Class of 2023 inclusive of college students, content creators, journalists and dermatologists from 20 countries, took their seats inside a “classroom” in The Glasshouse in New York City on Sept. 13. They were schooled by dermatologists who identified the myths surrounding the common skin condition and cleared them up for the masses. 

 

Back to school was an opportune time to shed light on acne as well as CeraVe’s new acne care line as the 350 “students” collectively accumulate a reach of a reported 500 million people.  

 

“Millions of people have acne, and there’s so many misconceptions,” said Adam Kornblum, global senior vice president, and head of digital marketing for CeraVe in an exclusive interview with Happi before the event. “At the same time, about 60% of people know how to treat acne. So that’s a huge number. For us, it’s really about how do we bridge that gap.” 

 

Part of its strategy is to blend entertainment and education, which Kornblum calls “edutain.” 

 

Kornblum has been with CeraVe since 2018. He was one of the skin care brand’s first digital executives following the acquisition by L’Oréal. CeraVe, which was established in 2005, first partnered with dermatologists in 2019 to begin its #CleanseLikeADerm and #ClearItUpLikeADerm campaigns following an American Academy of Dermatology conference.  

 

Last year, the brand held a TikTok Live event with influencer Avani Gregg. 

 

The Acne Academy featured TikTok Influencer Charli D’Amelio, Dermatologists Muneeb Shah and Mamina Turegano, Dr. Evan Rieder, a board-certified dermatologist and psychiatrist, and content creator Zach King.  

D’Amelio, a dancer, shared a candid account of the emotional and physical impact acne has had on her as she walked attendees of the School Assembly masterclass through her dance studio via a short video. Dr. Shah, a dermatologist that’s popular on TikTok-, provided tips on how to create empathetic succinct videos on the platform to disseminate an effective message to influence consumer behavior and keep them engaged. Turegano identified and debunked 10 common acne myths while Dr. Rieder spoke of the emotional toll skin conditions, such as acne, can have on a person’s well-being and quality of life. He also provided eye-opening advice about the dangers of social media comparison and insight into understanding the presumably “perfect” images they see, which are an illusion most times given filters and Photoshop. Arming his patients and students with this knowledge prompts them to change their view of the world and increase self-esteem.   

 

Dr. Rieder has been practicing medicine for 15 years, seven of which were spent on the NYU faculty. He currently has a private practice in SoHo, New York, where he sees medical and dermatology patients.  

 

“Acne is really interesting because it affects everybody in a very meaningful way,” he said. “What may look very mild and not so clinically significant to the outside observer, may be really important to you, especially if you’re an influencer, if you’re making video content or if you’re a public-facing profile where you have one or two acne bumps; it can have a major impact on the way that you’re functioning socially or your quality of life or the way that you’re interacting with the world. Acne has major social and quality of life implications.”  

 

Considering people’s different backgrounds and experiences with acne, no two journeys are alike. The treatment journey, he said, involves a lot of emotional investment, physical work and regimes.  

 

“Be consistent with a routine, see a dermatologist,” said Kornblum. “If you see information out there, double-check that information with what a dermatologist is saying.” 

 

According to Rieder, only 18% of acne sufferers see a dermatologist—a number the event organizers are hoping will change dramatically with the Acne Academy. That, and spreading the right information about the condition.  

According to Turegano, acne can affect anyone at any age, from pre-teen to adult. In fact, 25% of women and 12% of men in their 40s report acne, she said. Another myth was acne’s sole presence in those with oily skin, and that acne sufferers with oily skin should refuse moisturizer out of fear of worsening their condition. To the contrary, she said, a moisturizer is an important step in keeping the skin healthy as it serves to hydrate and strengthen the skin’s barrier. Further, she cautions against forgoing moisturizer all together, as it could encourage the skin to overproduce sebum which can induce further acne breakouts. CeraVe products, she said, contain ceramides, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid essential to supporting the skin’s microbiome.  

 

She also debunked the myth of acne presenting the same for everyone. For example, seeing in a social post a product working for someone and thinking it will work for them too. She said understanding a consumer’s unique skin type is the first step in understanding their unique skin tone, texture, and their experience in terms of manifestation and causation. This can thus affect their own response to various treatment options. People with darker skin tones, for instance, experience post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, or dark marks that persist long after the pimple has healed. These issues may require a product better suited for this particular skin type. She also cautioned against popping deeper pimples, as they can lead to icepick scars—another reason acne sufferers should see their dermatologist to prevent unwanted scarring down the road. She also debunked myths such as poor hygiene being the sole causation of acne and drinking water to clear it up. While the condition is an internal one – meaning genetics and hormonal imbalances can lead to flare-ups – diet alone is not wholly effective in keeping acne at bay nor is keeping the body clean.  

 

“When it comes to hygiene, basic skin care and hygiene are important for skin health, but it really doesn’t determine who suffers from acne,” said Turegano.  

 

Just as drinking water won’t clear acne from the inside out, there is no correlation between the condition and eating chocolate in excess. Likewise, overexposure to the sun can’t “burn” acne from the face. While a sunburn or color from the sun may appear to blend the inflammatory condition, it can only worsen it. Sunscreen, she added, should always be used before spending extended time outdoors to protect the skin from premature aging and cancer.  

 

CeraVe AM, she said, is a good option. The two-in-one solution contains ceramides, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide and SPF 30.  

 

In terms of makeup exacerbating acne, there is a kernel of truth in this myth, but it is dependent on the makeup and pore-clogging ingredients. Turegano encouraged people to look for products that say oil-free and non-comedogenic.  

 

A final myth is for the pessimists who believe a good acne treatment is simply not accessible. CeraVe offers an Acne Foaming Cream Wash, which contains 10% benzoyl peroxide for more severe cases. According to the brand, it contains the highest level of the topical medication in a product sold in the mass market without a prescription. Its Acne Control Cleanser contains 2% salicylic acid to treat acne, hectorite clay to absorb oil and niacinamide to calm irritated skin. Acne Control Gel, an alcohol-free solution, contains glycolic and lactic acids (AHA) to help smooth and soften skin and salicylic acid (BHA) to clear acne – products of which TikToker Charli D’Amelio is a staunch supporter and avid user. 

 

“I’ve been very open about my struggles with acne and bumps and redness. I went through that journey with everyone watching, which was very fun,” she said. “I just wanted to tell everyone who’s struggling with acne and feels overwhelmed about what to do, you’re not alone and so many people feel this way,” she said. “A lot of people that you think don’t actually do when they’re by themselves. I know things look very picture-perfect on social media and red carpets and events and you think ‘everything’s all perfect,’ but we all have imperfections and we’re all in it together.”