Acne at an interview

[cuno]

Shamelessly making use of AIBU for the poll.

I have acne, currently I'm a care worker and no-one gives a hoot about my appearance. I don't wear makeup at all.

I'm currently applying for jobs including more professional roles. There seems to be more expectations with appearance (i.e. dressing smartly), which I don't mind. However, would interviewers be put off by my skin? As in, would they think I haven't put in the effort to look professional by not hiding my spots with makeup? Would they think I look like an absolute slattern?

YABU - if you don't wear makeup to hide your acne it looks unprofessional and untidy, interviewers will care
YANBU - it's a medical condition and has no bearing on your professionalism or looking smart, interviewers won't care

I don't think anyone can answer this because interviewers are as individual as Mumsnetters.

We have no idea if it would or wouldn't put them off and nor do you. Therefore I'd just do what you're comfortable with.

And good luck with the interview

I can't speak for others, but it's the last thing I'd notice or care about if interviewing. It has no bearing at all on your ability to perform a role effectively.

Please don't feel you have to smother yourself in make-up which might irritate your skin further - anyone who is idiotic enough to care about such things isn't someone you want to be working for IMO.

I’d never judge someone for their skin. You won’t perform well at interview if you aren’t comfortable.

However I always felt unfinished without makeup when I had acne and felt more professional with it.

I had adult acne until my mid-late thirties. My skin is better now at 44 so I frequently go makeup free now but still feel unfinished without it.

Thank you, perhaps I worded my question poorly, but just in general I am wondering if it's common enough to be picked up on these things by interviewers and could hold me back in the professional world. I haven't worn makeup in years although I can dig out some expired foundation from a drawer somewhere just for one day, but I certainly won't be wearing it to work beyond an interview because it makes my skin worse, I feel more self conscious with it on, it's time consuming, etc.

I know there will always be some people who do judge my skin but it doesn't bother me what people think of my appearance, I've heard it all and I'm used to it. But I don't want to struggle getting a job because of it! So I'm in two minds about what to do for interviews at the moment.

I think as PPs say it is it individual to the recruiter. I have interviewed and I wouldn’t bat an eyelid - I’d really just say clean hair and clothes are important but definitely not something that’s a medical issue.

I know recruiters won’t be as upfront to tell you if the acne put them off from hiring, but if it was a contributing factor then you’ve definitely dodged a bullet anyway not getting the job as it’s very likely they’d be awful employers.

So go as you are - many, many recruiters out there won’t care and those that do aren’t worth your time anyway. Good luck!

I'm in two minds about what to do for interviews at the moment

You can't know in advance what interviewers might think, so the only way to call this is to consider what will make you feel most comfortable and able to perform at your best in the interview.

If it would make you less self-conscious to cover your spots - and thus increase your confidence - then do it.

Whatever you decide, I wish you success .

Is the interview online or face to face? My only concern would be if you are applying for a health/caring type role, the interviewee might have concerns that you have something infectious or that clients needing close, personal care might have concerns! Esp if the interview is online where lighting/video etc isn't great anyway and things can look even worse. They aren't supposed to discriminate obviously though on looks.

As a side, have you had hormonal bloods tests to check why are you still getting acne? I don't mean this to be patronising, and I do know some adults still suffer with it. In some cases though, it can be corrected or treated with meds or other treatments.

Best of luck OP and let us know how it goes

Please don't wear old and out of date makeup. It's full of bacteria.

Please go to some wear like NK Space, and they will try different options and give you free samples to try at home, especially when it's for an interview.

Personally, I'd focus on clean, polished shoes that don't have holes. Clean ironed clothes and clean nails.

I find unpolished shoes really bad.

No makeup is fine; that's totally about how it makes you feel with or without it.

Slip-on unpolished, a heal hanging off, bad, bad bad.

Don't use expired foundation - that will be terrible for your acne, it's full of bacteria.

If you're going to feel self conscious then I'd invest in some drug store BB cream or similar for light coverage that won't aggravate your skin or cost too much.

But if you feel confident regardless then don't worry about it.

@MarmiteCoriander

Is the interview online or face to face? My only concern would be if you are applying for a health/caring type role, the interviewee might have concerns that you have something infectious or that clients needing close, personal care might have concerns! Esp if the interview is online where lighting/video etc isn't great anyway and things can look even worse. They aren't supposed to discriminate obviously though on looks.

As a side, have you had hormonal bloods tests to check why are you still getting acne? I don't mean this to be patronising, and I do know some adults still suffer with it. In some cases though, it can be corrected or treated with meds or other treatments.

Best of luck OP and let us know how it goes

I wouldn't wear makeup for an interview to a care job, I work in care right now and appearance is casual. I'm applying for more professional roles though as I'm fed up with working in care.

I have been on medications for my acne and still have it. There is one more I can try which my consultant is confident will fix the issue. The problem is there is a lot of nasty side effects, and you absolutely cannot get pregnant on it. Last time I turned it down and fell pregnant shortly after (was using contraceptives), the best thing I ever did was not go on that medication otherwise my daughter would not be here today. I'd rather live with acne than take that risk. And the side effects are concerning too.

If it's isotretinion you're referring to, it really worked well for me. I had persistent acne for years and nothing else the GP and dermatologist suggested cleared it up except this.

I'm actually more self-conscious with makeup on. When I used to wear it a long time ago, there'd be constant worries at the back of my head about it melting/sliding off my skin, clinging to dry patches, looking greasy, etc and I'd have to check myself in a mirror a lot. Since not wearing it, it's been really freeing for me and I'm more confident now. I'm just a much happier person in general, and more refreshed as I don't have to get up so early!

If I do wear makeup for an interview, I'll make sure I get a sample then instead of unearthing some of my old makeup. I just didn't want to buy makeup for the sake of an interview or two, but if I can get free samples that's better than having god knows what infesting my skin!

@violetbunny

If it's isotretinion you're referring to, it really worked well for me. I had persistent acne for years and nothing else the GP and dermatologist suggested cleared it up except this.

Yes I think that's the one, the dermatologist is really confident about it working for me but it scares me because of what happened last time it was recommended! Did you get any side effects?

@cuno- I assume you are referring to Roaccutane? Yes, it can have drying effects on various parts of the body but in general does help immensely with teen/adult, cystic acne and can be life changing for some people.

I wouldn't be putting out of date foundation on your skin! Either get some BB cream as another poster suggested, or have bare skin if you are comfortable. Best of luck with the interview.

I would never judge someone for their skin, makeup or none.
I have plenty of acne scars and an uneven skin tone, so I personally wear foundation most of the time. However I would never dream of judging someone for not doing so. I have never thought negatively upon anyone that does not wear makeup, in-fact I quite think of them admirably.
Either way, you should not be judged either way and if I were you, I would go as you are.
Your interviewer will not care; if they do, they're not worth working with anyway

[quote MarmiteCoriander]@cuno- I assume you are referring to Roaccutane? Yes, it can have drying effects on various parts of the body but in general does help immensely with teen/adult, cystic acne and can be life changing for some people.

I wouldn't be putting out of date foundation on your skin! Either get some BB cream as another poster suggested, or have bare skin if you are comfortable. Best of luck with the interview.[/quote]
I do have cystic acne, it's quite mild but seemingly very resistant to every other medication! I haven't had one day of clear skin since I was 11.

I have interviewed many people and honestly appearance per se has never been a big issue. The important thing is to be neatly dressed, to have clean hair, hands, and nails and to be your own engaging self.

Do your homework about the organization. Be there on time.

I had one person actually complain about the questions we sent him the night before to give a chance to prep.

@violetbunny

If it's isotretinion you're referring to, it really worked well for me. I had persistent acne for years and nothing else the GP and dermatologist suggested cleared it up except this.

I can also confirm that this medication is life changing. There is a lot of hysteria and out of date information out there about it. You must not get pregnant while taking it but otherwise it’s totally amazing.

I'd notice it, and I don't believe anyone who says they wouldn't, but it wouldn't have any effect on the hiring decision.

Do whatever you feel most comfortable doing. If wearing make-up makes you feel self-conscious, then I'd advise you not to - it might make you perform worse in the interview.

As an employer I would not judge anyone for not wearing make up or if they have any visible health conditions including acne
I do slightly consider if they are dressed appropriately for whatever job role we are offering
I’m mainly interested in how they answer the questions, whether they would fit in, do they have enough experience or transferable skills

How bad is it? If you worry people find it distracting and are too busy looking at it to pay attention to what you say, tone it down with Dermablend. You may need to mix a couple of shades. Don't go for the full Japanese Geisha total camouflage. Just put some on the middle of your face...nose,chin,forehead and blend out to nothing at the sides - i.e. don't cover up everything.

This is really hard to answer op, as it depends on the overall impression that you get of a person. If you still look smart/presentable and you come across as a ‘what you see is what you get’ type of person, then the lack of make up may be overlooked. But it’s generally expected that you make an effort and show the best of yourself during an interview. If you turn up to a job interview with a bare face and a bad skin condition, then you may give them the impression that you’re not willing to make an effort for even a short period of time. Tbh I’d look into getting an educated MUA to do your make up right before the interview to make a good impression

@ItsDinah

How bad is it? If you worry people find it distracting and are too busy looking at it to pay attention to what you say, tone it down with Dermablend. You may need to mix a couple of shades. Don't go for the full Japanese Geisha total camouflage. Just put some on the middle of your face...nose,chin,forehead and blend out to nothing at the sides - i.e. don't cover up everything.

It's mild. I usually have 2 or 3 bad spots and a number of small ones, mainly just on my chin and forehead and sometimes the odd one on my cheek.

@cuno,

I totally understand everything you have said and I have been in exactly the same position you are now with your skin.
I had terrible acne from the age of 20 till I was 24 and I had been prescribed every antibiotic and cream there was and they didn’t do anything for my skin.
My Acne was only on my chin but it was terrible, big red spots and as soon as one went down another one would come up over night.

It made me feel dirty even though I cleaned my face constantly and showered sometimes 4 times a day.No matter how high the dose of antibiotics I was on nothing worked.
In the end my GP told me about Roaccutane but I’m 49 now so we are talking about over 20 years ago and it was only prescribed by a dermatologist as you had to be monitored on it and your weight and blood pressure taken and you had to have pregnancy tests as it can cause a miscarriage and severe abnormalities in the baby at full term.

I always remember being told that it can cause serious depression but I was already depressed with my skin as it was affecting my whole life anyway so I decided to take it .
You are prescribed pills and I had to go back every 4 weeks for a full review and for tests .

I noticed a change in my skin after 1 week as it wasn’t so greasy then after 3 weeks the spots were drying up.
It took to about 5 weeks till I noticed a difference .
I was on Roaccutane for about 9 months and my skin was clear from around 7 months.
I actually felt panic stricken when the dermatologist took me off it as I thought the acne would come back but it never did.
So I would recommend taking it but remember it’s not a over night cure so bare with it and it will work.

Good luck

Apologies for long post

X

I

@Babadook76

This is really hard to answer op, as it depends on the overall impression that you get of a person. If you still look smart/presentable and you come across as a ‘what you see is what you get’ type of person, then the lack of make up may be overlooked. But it’s generally expected that you make an effort and show the best of yourself during an interview. If you turn up to a job interview with a bare face and a bad skin condition, then you may give them the impression that you’re not willing to make an effort for even a short period of time. Tbh I’d look into getting an educated MUA to do your make up right before the interview to make a good impression

Would a man with acne be perceived as not making an effort as well? Genuinely curious.

I'm a care worker topped up by UC so paying for an MUA for multiple interviews is... umm... rather impossible.