Cynthia Koh, Lawrence Wong and more celebs reveal the reality of adult acne

While her complexion appears flawless on screen (even under unforgiving HD lenses), My Star Bride actress Cynthia Koh, 51, has been refreshingly candid about her struggle with adult acne. In an interview with local media, she shared, “I dreaded going to work,” recalling how harsh comments from crew members left her feeling deeply self-conscious and hurt.

Her skin troubles began in her late 20s, during the filming of Moulmein High III, when she was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism. The hormonal imbalance triggered a wave of stubborn, painful breakouts that refused to go away. 

Unfortunately, the criticism didn’t end when the cameras stopped rolling. She often faced insensitive remarks in her day-to-day life. Though medical treatment eventually helped clear her acne, the experience left lasting scars, both on her skin and her self-esteem.

Behind his polished on-screen presence, actor Lawrence Wong has quietly dealt with years of troubled skin. Long after his acne subsided, he was left with highly sensitive skin prone to flare-ups from dust, makeup, and even minor irritation. In search of a solution that truly worked for his reactive complexion, Wong used the downtime during the pandemic to develop Grail, a botanical skincare line designed specifically for sensitive skin.

K-pop star Sunmi is another celebrity open about her skin troubles. In a What’s in My Bag video with Vogue Korea, she revealed that she always carries a bottle of Mediheal A-Zero Shot Pink Dressing in her purse. Similar to the cult-favourite Mario Badescu Drying Lotion, it features a layer of calamine and sulfur powder topped with salicylic acid and tea tree oil. She dabs it on at the first sign of a breakout to keep pimples under control.

In a heartfelt YouTube video with her sister and skincare confidante, Shaheen Bhatt, actress Alia Bhatt shared intimate details about her skincare journey and the insecurities she’s faced. Despite her radiant appearance, Alia revealed that acne and dry patches have long been a source of self-consciousness.

She admitted that even minor breakouts can feel overwhelming, describing acne as her “primal insecurity.” Though she rarely experiences severe outbreaks, the presence of a single pimple can be enough to unsettle her. Alia also confessed to struggling with the common temptation to pick at blemishes, a habit she knows is harmful but finds hard to resist.

To combat this, she relies on pimple patches, which help accelerate healing by drawing out impurities and discouraging her from touching the affected areas. 

If you’re dealing with breakouts, it helps to have a trusted arsenal of products that not only target pimples but also soothe and protect sensitive skin. Here are some zit-zapping essentials to help you manage acne with confidence:

Acnes Point Clear, $10.90

Credit: Acnes

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Featuring a cooling metal applicator, this roll-on soothes irritated spots while delivering acne-fighting salicylic acid to unclog pores and eliminate bacteria. Enriched with pure Centella Asiatica to aid healing and fade scars, along with seaweed and vitamin A extract to hydrate and tighten pores, it’s a must-have for managing blemishes on the go.

Derma Lab Sebumclar Cica Acne Treatment, $40.60 for 15g

Credit: Derma Lab

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A gentle yet effective spot treatment that combines 2% salicylic acid to exfoliate and clear dead skin cells, Centella Asiatica extract to soothe redness and support skin repair, and vitamin C to help fade acne marks and even out skin tone.

d program Acne Care Spot Essence, $33.50

Credit: d program

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Allantoin and Eriobotrya japonica leaf extract work together to control excess oil and soothe the skin. Plant extracts from Thymus quinquecostatus and Saxifraga sarmentosa help fade acne scars and even out pigmentation. The oil-free formula absorbs quickly without leaving any sticky residue.