Anti-Acne Ad Pulled
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The advert for Proactiv+ has been pulled after watchdogs found that it implied teenagers with less than perfect skin would be more likely to be bullied. In the ad, former Hollyoaks actress describes how she was bullied due to her skin, being called ‘oi spotty’. Jorgie Porter said that she had been ‘gutted’ at the insult.
She then goes on to explain how delighted she was once she discovered the product.
Four viewers complained about the advert, saying unless you use this product, you will be bullied.
The Advertising Standards Agency complied with the complaints, saying:
‘We considered that the ads created a direct link between an incidence of bullying in her childhood as a result of her bad skin and a product she said had made her skin clearer, and that as a result the ads implied that children who had bad skin and did not use the product were likely to be bullied or ridiculed.’
The adverts won’t be shown again in their current state, in ad breaks for children’s programmes.
A statement from Proactiv Skin Health said that the advert ‘simply sets out the personal story and experience of one woman.’
‘We’re sorry if anyone has been offended by the ad.’
Don’t worry kids, when you get to 20 nobody cares what you look like. So, hurray?