I’ve just found this thread.
Long story short, I discovered the Beautymouth blog in early 2012, I’m oily and acne/spot prone, followed her advice (skincare, diet, supplements) religiously, developed full blown acne, acne didn’t improve at all, persisted for years with her advice and following her word as gospel (because honestly I was young and naïve and trusted her advice), went on the pill to try and avoid scarring as I had moderate/severe acne, acne subsided to persistent spottiness, came back after coming off the pill, started using really basic AF fragrance free, barrier supporting skincare routine and some hardcore actives (adapalene, azelaic acid, benzoyl peroxide, BHA gel), and my skin has never been better. I get 3-4 spots A MONTH (!!!!!!) Skin has now been clear for 2 years.
Whilst I fully agree there is so much that can contribute to acne and not just a simple answer and most of the info on her acne cheat sheet is really helpful, I feel pretty mugged off about her not addressing using prescription strength actives to treat acne (like retinoids, azelaic acid...is this because at high strengths they are prescription only? She mentions prescription strength for "anti-aging" so I wonder whether she doesn't mention it for acne because of it being more of a medical condition?), her preference of salicylic acid toners over benzoyl peroxide for acne, her stance on mineral oil (it’s the most inert occlusive ever and it’s saving my skin from irritation from the hardcore actives I am using), her blasé blog post about Differin and one paragraph info on how to use it with no mention of buffering, protecting delicate areas with heavy occlusives, working up to using a full dose, using a “thin layer” - HOW MUCH IS A THIN LAYER?! Her attitude that she doesn’t need to wear SPF daily, her attitude that the sun cleared her acne.
I used to love her blog and I have found some really fantastic products because of her. No longer use a lot of them as I try to stick with fragrance free. I purchased one of her kits in 2017 maybe? It had Zelens Power D in it (what I really wanted it for!)
She mentioned the freaks FB group in a video or on Insta or something and I felt really left out. I felt like, hey, I’m a loyal subscriber who’s followed you for years and hearing her talk about her Freaks group getting early access to info I felt really mugged off. I joined the group in mid 2018 and I commented on peoples’ posts with advice a few times, I got fed up with people asking basic questions and not looking on the blog first which a simple search could have told them the information they sought. Now I just feel exasperated at how much the freaks group worship her and the mob mentality.
I feel as though Caroline has really changed in the kind of content she is putting out. She doesn’t post any content that I find interesting any more. I used to live for her cheat sheets and I feel like all that she posts is ads and info about her kits. I also sometimes struggle with the way she talks about herself and the team she works with (My team – should it not be the team I work with?) I really struggle when anyone talks about “my people” or “my team”. They are not “yours”, they work with you and support you.
I bought a Bondi Sands facial SPF on her recommendation and it’s the worst SPF I've ever used. Heavy, greasy, sticky, despite the post saying it’s none of those. I’ve gone back to look and the post is an AD, shocker.
During the time she was really pushing Beauty Backed, she made a few comments that really made me angry, about how we should all be queueing up when the salons reopen to make sure the beauty industry doesn’t collapse. I’m sorry – I can’t afford to because I'm self-employed in a completely different industry and I’ve lost about 70% of my income and I'm ineligible for any kind of government support. Whilst I completely agree that it seemed ridiculous that pubs were allowed to open and salons were not, I felt like there was a complete lack of tact and consideration for other industries also struggling to keep up business due to Covid-19.
Sorry, rant over.