The overwhelming majority of people with acne have been distracted by their acne on a video call.

Galderma Laboratories, L.P. and Aklief (trifarotene) Cream, 0.005% are launching Me Being Me, a new consumer campaign that was crafted in response to today’s increasingly digital-focused world.

The campaign is designed to inspire those living with acne to feel confident in their own skin by sharing stories of real people with acne who are living their best lives while arming them with the information they need to talk to their dermatology provider. The multi-channel effort includes paid and organic social media, influencer activations and strategic content partnerships as well as a new creative advertising campaign and online hub launching in spring 2021.

By and large, acne is getting in the way of full participation in virtual environments.

A recent survey conducted by Galderma, in collaboration with Wakefield Research,  revealed that the overwhelming majority (86%) of people with acne have been distracted by their acne on a video call, often missing what others are saying.  That’s if they even turn the camera on at all, as over half (62%) opt to turn their cameras off during video calls, sometimes even faking technical glitches to avoid the on-screen time.

Half of students with acne (50%) say their acne has had a negative impact on their grades and academic achievement, and more than three in five young professionals who have had a video call (62%) say their acne has hindered their professional growth, the survey found.  Fortunately, despite the distraction, nearly two-thirds (64%) of respondents who are spending more time on video calls are also now feeling more motivated to seek help from a dermatologist. 

“Many people think acne is just a teenage disease – but I’ve seen a significant rise in adult-onset acne in my practice, particularly in young women,” says Julie Harper, MD, board-certified dermatologist and Galderma consultant in Birmingham, Alabama, in a news release.  “They are juggling virtual school, online dating and trying to start their careers, and they’re coming to me on the verge of tears, feeling like this is something they should have outgrown. With an acne treatment like Aklief Cream, I’m able to offer an option that’s proven effective and safe. With clearer skin, my patients are able to focus less on their acne and more on these pivotal moments in their lives.”

Aklief Cream allows patients to treat acne beyond just on the face, as it has also been proven to be safe and effective in treating acne on the chest, shoulders and back.

“We have always known that many acne patients experience significant burden beyond just the physical impact of the condition, but most recently we’ve found that the impact can be magnified by the technology we’ve come to rely on,” says Jenna Parenton, Aklief Cream Brand Manager. “Through the Me Being Me campaign, we hope to empower those living with acne to understand that there are solutions. We encourage a discussion with a dermatologist to develop a treatment plan that may help acne sufferers see clearer skin, which helps them live life unfiltered.”

The online survey, conducted in December 2020 among 2,000 U.S. consumers ages 14-29 with facial and truncal acne, was developed by Galderma Laboratories, L.P and Wakefield Research.