Breaking the Pore-fect Image: Renegotiating Aesthetic Norms Through TikTok's Acne Content

Acne is often associated with negative perceptions and conventional beauty standards idealize clear skin. However, TikTok has become a space where acne is increasingly represented in different ways. This study explores how women with acne-prone skin construct meanings of beauty through TikTok content. Thematic analysis was applied to analyze the data collected from videos under the hashtags #acneproneskin and #acnefighter uploaded between January and December 2025. Three main themes appear from the study including acceptance, resistance, and negotiation. These themes represent different ways women position themselves in relation to beauty standards. These findings reveal that acne is viewed as both physical condition and a meaningful aspect of identity shaped by digital practices.