You’ve spent months building your portfolio. You’ve nailed the poses, mastered the lighting, and even learned how to walk in heels without falling. But now you’re staring at your reflection-another breakout on your chin-and you wonder: Is it OK to have acne as a model? Will this ruin your chances? Will agencies reject you? Will brands think you’re ‘unprofessional’?
The short answer? Yes, it’s not just OK-it’s becoming more common than you think.
Real Skin Is In
Five years ago, fashion magazines and high-end campaigns demanded flawless skin. Airbrushed to perfection. No blemishes. No redness. No visible pores. But things changed. Fast.
In 2023, Dove launched its Real Beauty campaign featuring models with visible acne, scars, and uneven texture. By 2025, brands like Fenty Beauty, Glossier, and even Chanel began casting models with natural skin. Why? Because consumers noticed. They saw the fake filters, the endless retouching, and they got tired of it. They wanted authenticity. And brands followed.
Today, agencies in Dubai, New York, and Milan are actively seeking models who look like real people. Not airbrushed mannequins. Real 18-year-olds with occasional breakouts. Real 25-year-olds with post-acne marks. Real skin.
What Agencies Actually Look For
Let’s cut through the noise. Agencies don’t care if you have a pimple. They care about your look, your presence, your ability to sell a story.
Here’s what actually matters:
- Your facial structure-bone structure, symmetry, expressiveness
- Your confidence in front of the camera
- Your versatility-can you switch from high fashion to streetwear to beauty campaigns?
- Your professionalism-do you show up on time? Are you easy to work with?
Acne? It’s just one small part of your appearance. And if it’s mild to moderate? Most photographers will fix it in post-easily, quickly, and without making you feel like you need to hide.
One Dubai-based casting director told me: “We’ve turned down models with perfect skin because they looked plastic. We’ve signed models with acne because they had soul.”
Types of Modeling That Welcome Acne
Not all modeling is the same. Some niches are more forgiving-or even celebrating-of natural skin.
- Beauty & Skincare Modeling: This is your golden ticket. Brands like The Ordinary, CeraVe, and local Dubai brands like Nourish & Glow actively seek models with acne to show how their products work on real skin. Your breakout? It’s not a flaw-it’s proof.
- Streetwear & Urban Fashion: Think oversized hoodies, ripped jeans, bold logos. This space thrives on raw, unfiltered energy. Acne fits right in.
- Editorial & Art Photography: High-fashion magazines like Vogue Arabia and Marie Claire Middle East have featured models with acne in editorial spreads. These aren’t ads-they’re art. And art celebrates truth.
- Plus-Size & Inclusive Modeling: The movement toward body positivity includes skin positivity too. If you’re a model with acne and a curvier figure, you’re in high demand.
On the other hand, luxury lingerie or bridal campaigns might still lean toward flawless skin-but even those are shifting. A few months ago, a Dubai-based lingerie brand cast a model with mild acne on her back. The campaign went viral. Comments? “Finally, someone who looks like me.”
What to Do With Your Portfolio
Your portfolio is your resume. And just like a resume, you don’t need to hide your flaws-you need to show your range.
Here’s how to handle acne in your portfolio:
- Include real-skin shots. Don’t just have 10 airbrushed photos. Add 2-3 with your natural skin. Show your range.
- Label your shots. Use captions like “Natural Skin Look” or “No Retouching” to signal authenticity.
- Balance is key. Mix flawless shots with real-skin shots. It shows you’re versatile.
- Don’t over-edit. If you’re using Photoshop, keep it subtle. Remove one red spot, not your entire texture. Agencies can tell when skin looks fake.
One model from Abu Dhabi told me she was rejected by two agencies for having “imperfect skin.” She kept shooting. Six months later, she got signed by a local beauty brand-and now she’s their face. Her advice? “Don’t wait for permission to be you.”
How to Handle Rejection
Yes, you might still get rejected. Some agencies still cling to old standards. That’s not your fault.
But here’s the truth: rejection because of acne? It’s not about your worth. It’s about their outdated mindset.
Instead of taking it personally, ask: “Which agencies are hiring models who look like real people?” Look at campaigns you admire. Who’s casting? Who’s featuring natural skin? Follow those brands. Apply to them. Reach out to photographers who shoot real-skin work.
Dubai has a growing community of indie photographers who specialize in unretouched beauty shots. Connect with them. Do a test shoot. Build a small collection of authentic images. That’s your new edge.
Comparison: Flawless Skin vs. Real Skin in Modeling
| Aspect | Flawless Skin (Traditional) | Real Skin (Modern) |
|---|---|---|
| Brand Demand | Luxury cosmetics, bridal, high-end fashion | Skincare, streetwear, inclusive brands, editorial |
| Post-Production | Heavy retouching required | Minimal editing-often none |
| Market Growth | Declining | Rapidly growing |
| Consumer Trust | Low-seen as unrealistic | High-seen as honest |
| Model Longevity | Short-term-hard to maintain | Long-term-authenticity builds loyalty |
What to Expect During a Casting
You walk into a casting room. You’re nervous. You’re hoping no one notices the pimple on your forehead.
Here’s what actually happens:
- The casting director glances at you, smiles, and says, “Great energy.”
- They ask about your experience, your availability, your favorite brands.
- They take a quick photo-not a studio shot, just a phone snap.
- They don’t mention your skin. Not once.
Most casting directors aren’t looking for perfect skin. They’re looking for someone who can connect with the camera. Someone who feels real. Someone who doesn’t need to be fixed.
One model in Dubai shared: “I had a breakout the day before my first big casting. I almost canceled. But I went anyway. The director said, ‘Your skin tells a story. That’s why we picked you.’”
Pricing and Booking: Does Acne Affect Pay?
No. Your pay is based on your experience, your look, your reliability-not your skin.
In Dubai, a new model with acne might earn between AED 500-1,500 per shoot for small brands. For major beauty campaigns? AED 5,000-15,000. Same as models with “perfect” skin.
Brands pay for results. If your real-skin look drives engagement, they’ll pay you more. In fact, campaigns featuring acne-prone skin often have higher click-through rates and social shares.
Safety Tips: Protect Your Skin and Your Confidence
Modeling can be tough on your skin. Long hours under lights, heavy makeup, stress-all of it can trigger breakouts.
Here’s how to protect yourself:
- Always ask for a makeup artist who uses non-comedogenic products.
- Remove makeup immediately after shoots-don’t sleep in it.
- Hydrate. Drink water. Skip the sugary energy drinks.
- Don’t let anyone tell you your skin is “not model material.” That’s their bias, not your truth.
- Build a support system-other models, dermatologists, photographers who value real skin.
Your skin doesn’t define your worth. Your confidence does.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still be a model if I have severe acne?
Yes. Severe acne doesn’t disqualify you. Many models with cystic acne work in beauty and skincare campaigns because their experience makes them relatable. Some brands even require it. The key is to focus on niches that value authenticity-like dermatology brands, inclusive fashion, or editorial photography.
Should I use retouching to hide my acne in my portfolio?
Use it sparingly. Remove one red spot or a single blemish if it distracts from your face. But don’t smooth out your entire texture. Agencies want to see how you look in real life. If you’re applying for a skincare campaign, they’ll expect to see your skin as it is.
Do modeling agencies in Dubai accept models with acne?
Absolutely. Dubai’s modeling scene is one of the most progressive in the region. Agencies like Model Management Dubai and The Look Agency actively seek diverse models-including those with acne, scars, and uneven skin. The city’s fashion industry is embracing authenticity as a global trend.
Will acne affect my chances in runway modeling?
Runway modeling is less about skin and more about height, walk, and presence. A pimple won’t stop you from walking the catwalk. That said, if you’re aiming for high-fashion runway shows, you might get more opportunities in editorial or commercial shows that value diversity over perfection.
What if I’m told to “fix my skin” before modeling?
That’s a red flag. A good agency won’t tell you to change your body or skin to fit their outdated ideal. If someone says that, they’re not the right fit. Walk away. Find agencies that celebrate real people. Your skin is part of your story-and that’s valuable.
Final Thought
You don’t need perfect skin to be a model. You need presence. You need confidence. You need to show up-exactly as you are.
The industry is changing. The old rules are fading. And the new wave? It’s real. It’s raw. It’s human.
If you’ve got acne? Good. You’re already ahead of the game. Because while everyone else is chasing perfection, you’re showing up as yourself. And that’s the most powerful thing a model can do.
