Francesca Hung is our treasured Swisse Beauty Ambassador and a long-time fan of our Swisse Beauty products. She has always been open and candid about her journey with acne, so we dug a little deeper in a recent chat with her.

From teenage breakouts to post-partum skin, Francesca talks us through the mental and physical impacts of having acne which a lot of us can relate to. Have a read below!

Can you tell us a little bit about your skin journey to date?

I’ve had a bit of a rollercoaster relationship with my skin, but my breakouts certainly became more persistent around hormonal shifts, like coming off the pill or more recently through pregnancy and now postpartum. In my late teens and early 20s, I struggled a lot with breakouts and quite severe acne which left scarring on my skin.

I tried everything—harsh treatments, over-exfoliating, cutting out certain foods—but nothing worked long-term, or ever got to the root cause of the issues. Over time, I learned that skincare isn’t just about what you put on your face but also what’s happening internally. Stress, gut health, hormones, and diet all play a role. Now, I like to keep things simple and stick to science-backed ingredients and a consistent skincare routine that focuses on hydration and skin barrier health. 

What do you think is the biggest trigger for your breakouts?

Breakouts for me tend to be a mix of stress, hormonal shifts, poor sleep, not using the right products for my skin and diet. If I’m not eating well, I notice more congestion. Lack of sleep also plays a huge role. I used to get caught up in over-exfoliating, thinking I needed to “scrub away” breakouts, but I’ve learned that supporting my skin’s barrier and keeping inflammation down is way more effective. 

How did your breakouts affect you mentally?

Acne can be really disheartening, especially as an adult when you feel like you should have “grown out of it.” There were times when I felt self-conscious and tempted to pile on makeup or over-treat my skin. The worst part was feeling like I had no control over it—despite doing everything “right,” my skin would still flare up. The mental shift for me came when I stopped seeing my skin as something to “fix” and started focusing on keeping it healthy instead. Now, it’s more about keeping my skin healthy rather than obsessing over every little blemish. 

Did you have any pet peeves when it came to finding a fix for your acne?

Yes! One of my biggest pet peeves is the idea that you need an extreme skincare routine to have clear skin. I used to think the more products, the better, but in reality, balance is key, being too aggressive can actually make things worse. But again, it’s not a one size fits all approach!

How did you keep your acne at bay in the lead-up to your wedding?

I stuck to what I knew worked and didn’t experiment with new products or crazy treatments right before the big day. Looking back, I wish I had worried less about it— stress itself can trigger breakouts, so the more relaxed you are, the better your skin will likely behave. But I know that's easier said than done... and as it happens, I woke up on my wedding day with a big pimple on my chin and we carried on! Ce la vie, am I right?

Did you notice any changes to your skin during pregnancy?

Pregnancy was a bit of a rollercoaster. In the first trimester, my skin was drier and much more sensitive than usual, and I had to focus on hydration. Then, in the second trimester, I felt like I got that “pregnancy glow” people always talk about. But postpartum has been a different story - hormonal shifts, sleep deprivation, and stress all showed up on my skin. My skin became more reactive and drier, so I’ve had to adjust my routine again. The biggest lesson has been adapting to what my skin needs at different stages rather than expecting it to stay the same.

Has your skincare routine changed since becoming a mum?

Definitely! I don’t have the time (or energy) for a long routine anymore, so I’ve stripped it down to the essentials: a gentle cleanser, a BHA or salicylic acid serum to keep my skin clear, a lightweight moisturiser with ceramides to repair my barrier, and SPF during the day. If I have time, I’ll add in a hydrating serum or overnight mask, but honestly, consistency with just a few key products makes the biggest difference.

Any tips for time-poor first-time mums on how to manage their skin with a busy routine?

Simplify, simplify, simplify! A good cleanser, a multi-tasking serum, a hydrating moisturiser, a spot treatment (like a drying ointment) for fast acting results and SPF are really all you need. Also, don’t underestimate how much your diet, hydration, sleep and gut health impact your skin. And if you’re too exhausted for a full routine some nights, just cleanse and apply a nourishing cream—your skin will thank you!

Words of wisdom for someone currently going through prolonged acne breakouts?

Be patient with yourself. Acne is frustrating, but it’s not a reflection of your worth. Instead of trying to “fix” it overnight, focus on supporting your skin in the long run.  Simplify your routine, be mindful of your diet and stress levels, and know that your skin will go through ups and downs. Most importantly, don’t let breakouts hold you back from enjoying life—you are so much more than your skin.