With their cinched waists, symmetrical facial features and perfect hair, it can be hard to believe that celebrities would ever suffer from the same cosmetic ailments we do.
But experts have told DailyMail.com that there is one problem that affects many more famous faces than we realise: bad pimples.
Acne, which affects about 50 million Americans, is common in Hollywood, dermatologists say, due to lifestyles that are bad for skin health, namely sleeping little and eating restrictive diets.
However, many of our favorite stars have a team of makeup artists and cosmetic experts on hand to ensure that the red, angry pimples remain hidden.
One secret acne sufferer is actor Chris Pine, who recently revealed his bad skin cost him the lead role in hit teen drama The OC.
Now Dr. Christopher Chu, a dermatologist in Austin, Texas, who runs Pure Dermatology, and other skin-care experts reveal the celebrities who have battled pimples their entire lives—not that you ever knew.
Chris Pine, 43, pictured here in his early 20s, was turned down for a major role in The OC because of his terrible acne, book reveals
Dr. Chu said acne is “quite common” among people in the public eye.
He added: ‘Stars probably get expensive treatments to soothe the skin once flare-ups occur, or just do a great cover-up job with filters or makeup.
While some of the stars on the list have become more open about their skin concerns lately, many are rarely pictured with bare skin and without products to cover the bad spots.
Dr. Chu adds that some celebrities have visible scars from old pimples, which are easier to cover than new ones.
Dr. Margarita Lolis, a dermatologist at Skin Laser and Surgery Specialists in New Jersey, added: ‘Lack of sleep, diet, stress, changes in weather and humidity – and the use of heavy makeup – can all clog pores and cause acne. .
‘For celebrities, there are various camera and video techniques that can be used to hide acne or other skin imperfections. Soft lighting reduces shadows, while angle and framing can also hide imperfections.’
Cameron Diaz
Cameron Diaz, now 51, was pictured with pimples on her face in her twenties and still bears some of the scars. She didn’t open up about it until she was in her 40s, saying her skin was “terrible.”
Cameron Diaz is known for her perfect skin tone in films like The Holiday and Charlie’s Angles.
But the star, now 51, secretly battled spots that broke out all over her skin for years, but disguised them with make-up.
“It was embarrassing,” she wrote in her book The Body Book. “I had terrible skin.”
The problem went away later in her life, but she admitted it wasn’t “completely gone.”
“When I look back, I realize that I wouldn’t have needed those prescription drugs, those bottles of potions and creams…I didn’t have to be angry at my skin or feel bad about myself. I just had to listen to my body.’
Dr. Chu highlighted the scars on Diaz’s skin from previous breakouts, which can be seen in more recent photos.
Rihanna
Rihanna has scars on her face and pimples that are hidden under makeup, Dr. Chu said. The spots are visible here on the sides of her cheeks
Those who looked at Rihanna’s album covers may have assumed that the singer has enviable, perfect skin.
But when you look a little closer at the photos of the now 36-year-old on the road, a different picture begins to emerge.
Dr. Chu said Rihanna had spots on her face from acne, which appear as small bumps under foundation in the photos above.
Rihanna opened up about her skin problems in 2020 at the launch of her skincare brand Fenty to help people with acne.
She said at the time: ‘It was a tough journey to get me back [to clear skin].’
Gentleman
Images of Lorde have previously been edited to cover her skin (top), although the singer has urged people not to do so (bottom image). She shared these two snaps in 2018
Those who watched Lorde on screen may have gotten the impression that she has smooth and texture-free skin.
But the 27-year-old singer has since revealed that this is not the case – and has even asked photo editors to stop altering photos of herself.
She opened up about her battle with her skin in 2018 and posted a photo of herself at a concert, comparing it to a photo that appeared on the screens.
“But really, acne sucks,” she said.
‘You know what else is stupid? If you’ve been dealing with acne for years and years and years… and people still say, “You know what worked for me? It’s moisturizing!”
Kendall Jenner
Kendall Jenner reportedly struggled with severe acne early in her career, causing photo editors to often blur her skin to hide blemishes. She is pictured above with spots on her skin due to acne
Kendall Jenner, 28, is a former Victoria’s Secret model known for her flawless looks.
But sources say she struggled with “terrible” acne early in her career, which often made photo shoots a challenge.
Cassandra Brankson, a former model who works with dermatologists, said in a previous interview that photo editors blurred images of her skin to hide blemishes.
More recently, Kendall opened up about the acne she struggled with in her youth after working with an acne medication brand.
She previously said: ‘I get hormonal acne and get little pimples when I have my period and things like that.’
Dr. Lolis said that Kendall Jenner was among those who suffered from acne, and had recently spoken out about her problems.
Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo has noticeable scars on his cheeks from acne, Dr. Chu said. He is pictured above at the start of his career in 2005 (left) and 2004
Not only is Ronaldo one of the most famous footballers, he is also an aspiring wellness influencer who recently launched a fitness and nutrition app.
But images of the star, taken between his teens and early 20s, show that he once suffered from acne.
Painful-looking spots can be seen under his cheekbones.
Dr. Chu also said that even today, Ronaldo still had noticeable scars on his face from a battle with acne earlier in his youth.
Ronaldo previously said he has adopted a healthy lifestyle to look younger, but has not mentioned any role acne has played in this.
He has not publicly commented on his battle with the condition.