Why We Need to Rethink Acne Shaming on Love Island—and Beyond
Love Island contestants are helping normalize real skin—but the internet isn’t always ready for it.
Can We Stop Bringing Up Everyone On Love Island’s Acne?
If you tune into reality TV expecting filtered faces and flawless skin, Love Island Season 7 might shock you—in the best possible way. For the first time on a major reality dating show, viewers are seeing undeniable up-close shots of pimples, redness, and breakout patches. Yet, the internet response has been less than kind. From Reddit threads to TikTok video takedowns, acne on Love Island’s contestants like Nicolas Vansteenberghe and Taylor Williams has inspired a whole new level of unscripted online scrutiny.
Rather than celebrating this step toward beauty transparency, many fans have zeroed in on shaming, ridicule, and even bizarre karma metaphors directed at contestants’ breakouts. What does this backlash reveal about our collective comfort with real skin? And why, despite progress in beauty standards, does acne still spark so much public judgment?
Internet Reactions: Where Reality TV Meets Skin Shaming
- Redditors called Nic’s acne “karma” and made jokes targeting visible blemishes.
- Viewers on TikTok edited out pimples using apps like Facetune and ridiculed contestants for not covering up every breakout.
- Fans spotted pimple patches on Taylor Williams and used them as a punchline, while others commented “lend one to your bro” about fellow islanders’ skin struggles.
- Austin Shepard’s skin became the subject of viral videos, with viewers asking, “Anyone else wish they could pop these, or am I insane?”
The intensity and frequency of these comments suggest a discomfort with anything less than airbrushed perfection, even in a show that’s supposed to document spontaneous human connection.
Why Is Acne So Taboo on TV?
In most mainstream reality series, breakouts are rarely seen unless written directly into the plot. Makeup artists and production teams are quick to intervene with concealer, powders, or strategic lighting any time a contestant’s skin appears less than ideal. In shows like The Bachelor or Love Is Blind, viewers almost never encounter an “angry” pimple in high definition—giving the misleading impression that flawless skin is the norm.
Love Island stands apart in this respect, not because its contestants have worse skin, but because the production’s approach is different:
- No professional glam teams—contestants do their own makeup, meaning breakouts are sometimes visible on camera.
- Raw, up-close filming—the show’s iconic villa and high-resolution cameras regularly reveal what other programs might hide.
- Natural lighting and late-night routines—viewers see everything from morning skin to post-makeup removal, offering a candid window into real people’s appearance.
As a result, Love Island isn’t just a reality dating show—it’s an unintentional experiment in how audiences react to authenticity versus the polished veneer we’ve come to expect from TV.
The Real Causes Behind Breakouts in the Villa
Instead of shaming, it’s worth asking: Why are so many contestants breaking out? The answer lies in both basic biology and the unique environment contestants face in Fiji’s villa:
- Humidity and Heat: The tropical climate means sweat, clogged pores, and increased oil production.
- Product Overload: Contestants are exposed to new skincare, sunscreen, and potentially comedogenic (pore-blocking) makeup products.
- Sleeping Arrangements: Sharing beds with new people can mean shared bacteria. Pillowcases rarely get washed as frequently as at home.
- Close-Contact Living: Being in constant proximity and under constant stress can easily trigger skin flares.
- Routine Disruption: Regular skincare regimens get interrupted, and unfamiliar products are often used out of necessity.
- Camera Stress: The emotional and psychological pressure of being filmed 24/7 is a known trigger for stress-induced hormonal changes.
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Given all this, breakouts are virtually guaranteed for at least some contestants—yet internet commentary seems to treat these visible side effects as personal failings rather than environmental (and biological) inevitabilities.
Why the Backlash? Old Myths and New Double Standards
Public reactions to acne on Love Island reveal just how persistent old myths and stigmas remain. Social media comments often suggest that acne is:
- Embarrassing or shameful
- Within a person’s control (e.g., “just wash your face!”)
- A sign of neglect, poor hygiene, or even character flaws (“karma”)
- Incompatible with attractiveness or romantic desirability
But the reality is starkly different:
- Acne is a hormonal response—largely out of a person’s direct control.
- Genetics play a major role: Some people are more prone, regardless of their efforts.
- Lifestyle changes (stress, sleep, travel, new products) often have an unpredictable impact.
For viewers and fans, it’s easier to mock what they see than to examine why their expectations don’t match the reality Love Island presents. The intense online feedback faced by Season 7 contestants—more severe than most previous U.S. or UK seasons—signals a disconnect between wider beauty conversations and the comfort level of the average viewer.
Editorial Perspective: The Emotional Toll of Acne Criticism
Acne shaming isn’t just outdated—it can be deeply damaging. Many contestants signed up for a televised dating show, not a public referendum on their skin health. As a longtime beauty editor who shares her own acne journey, I find the ridicule especially maddening. For those who’ve battled breakouts, seeing acne dragged into the digital spotlight stings, both literally and emotionally.
We’re not just seeing blemished skin. We’re witnessing the mental load that comes when every pimple, patch, and redness becomes fair game for international commentary. It’s a stark reminder: Social media, for all its empowerment, can just as easily become a new arena for policing beauty norms that most people will never live up to.
Redefining ‘Real Skin’ on Screen
Amidst all the online drama, Love Island is (perhaps unintentionally) changing TV by showing unfiltered skin. These up-close moments—makeup routines, nighttime rituals, and yes, the occasional breakout—are reminders that beauty isn’t a filter but a spectrum.
- Female contestants are seen applying makeup with “light and natural” finishes, showing real texture and occasional imperfections.
- Nightly self-care scenes (cleansing, shaving, bonnet-wrapping) underline everyday routines rather than staged glamour.
- Controversies over visible skin have led to broader partnerships with brands like Face Reality, previously seen in shows like Summer House.
In the rare moments when reality TV leans into, rather than erases, the full range of human experience, it encourages both empathy and a more expansive understanding of beauty.
What to Remember About Acne—and Why It’s Not Going Away
Let’s get specific: acne isn’t a “flaw” so much as a complex skin condition shaped by genetics, hormones, and environmental triggers. Common interventions—from classic over-the-counter salicylic acid toners to prescription treatments—can help but aren’t instant fixes. Importantly, no “cure” currently exists, and breakouts can (and do) happen to anyone, at any time.
| Factor | Impact |
|---|---|
| Hormonal Changes | Increased sebum, pores clog |
| Humidity/Sweating | Sweat mixes with oil, leading to breakouts |
| New Skincare/Makeup | Potential allergic reaction or pore-clogging |
| Emotional Stress | Raises cortisol, can trigger outbreaks |
| Irregular Sleep | Impacts healing, increases inflammation |
Treatments can make a difference for some:
- Daily cleansing and moisturization
- Exfoliation with salicylic acid or other actives
- Consistent routines—especially before and after heavy makeup use
- Dermatological intervention for persistent or cystic acne
But, as many dermatologists will confirm, quick fixes don’t exist—and neither does a universally flawless complexion. Especially not under 4K cameras in a stress-filled villa on a tropical island.
Changing the Conversation: How to Support Real Skin
- Normalize Visible Acne: Celebrate shows like Love Island for breaking beauty taboos and encourage media to show more unfiltered skin.
- Challenge Stigma: Stand up to online shaming and educate others about the realities of skin health.
- Promote Self-Acceptance: Empower contestants—and viewers—to embrace their real, unfiltered selves.
- Advocate for Mental Health: Remind others that beauty criticism can cause real emotional harm and encourage kindness in online spaces.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why do so many Love Island contestants have breakouts?
Environmental and lifestyle factors—humidity, new products, stress, and disrupted skincare routines—all contribute to the increased frequency of visible acne on the show.
Is acne really out of our control?
For the most part, yes. While skincare routines and dermatological treatments can help manage symptoms, genetics, hormones, and stress are the primary, uncontrollable causes.
Are reality shows doing enough to represent ‘real’ skin?
Love Island’s approach is a significant step forward, but most reality shows still prefer to hide or edit out skin imperfections, maintaining unrealistic beauty standards.
How should viewers respond to seeing acne on TV?
Viewers should use these moments as an opportunity to reconsider their notions of beauty, support greater diversity in representation, and reject online shaming.
Can online criticism hurt contestants?
Absolutely. Negative comments about appearance can lead to embarrassment, lowered self-esteem, and impact the mental health of those in the spotlight.
Final Thoughts: The Power—and Responsibility—of Representation
As Love Island continues to push the boundaries of televised authenticity, the conversation around acne and skin positivity is reaching a wider, global audience. The backlash itself proves that we still have work to do. By questioning why we find real skin so disconcerting—and rejecting the impulse to shame those who simply appear as they are—we can foster a more inclusive, compassionate, and ultimately modern definition of beauty. One in which a pimple is just that: a normal part of life, on or off the island.
References
- https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/a65173159/love-island-acne/
- https://www.aol.com/why-does-internet-hate-see-150800668.html
- https://www.cosmopolitanme.com/film-and-tv/liv-walker
- https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/a65172159/body-acne-positivity/
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6QKQR1Bksc
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