Woman called ‘pizza face’ by bullies launches skincare product for acne sufferers

A woman who was cruelly nicknamed "pizza face" by school bullies because of her acne has launched a skincare business to provide a make-up removal solution for teenagers and adults with spots.

Chloe Eggerton, 22, from Telford, Shropshire, experienced years of abuse after she developed acne when she was 10.

During secondary school, her spots spread across her neck back and she was subjected to upsetting name-calling by her classmates.

“I remember how badly I was teased at secondary school for my skin," she recalls.

“It was at its worse between Year 7 and Year 9 as I think other students didn’t realise that the acne wasn’t my fault.

“I think they thought I was dirty and called me names like 'pizza face'.

“When I used to wear make-up in primary school, I know my teachers questioned it and wondered why I was wearing it as such a young age."

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During her teenage years Eggerton visited various doctors and also took controversial anti-acne drug Roaccutane.

Thankfully, she is now virtually acne-free, aside from experiencing the odd spot now and again, but her skin journey has inspired her to launch a business based on her own experiences.

One of Eggerton's main issues growing up was how to remove make-up from her face without aggravating her acne with oils or remover solutions.

After discussing the problem with her sister Demi, 25, in January last year, she created a "magic" glove that can be used to remove mascara with just water.

"As an acne sufferer, the thought of putting oil cleansers or using wipes to remove my make-up makes me skin crawl," she explains.

“I was scared the oil or grime would make my skin break out again, which is what inspired me to create my magic microfibre glove design which removes make-up, even waterproof mascara only with water.

“After drawing some rough designs on a piece of paper, I had my lightbulb moment."

Eggerton says her negative experiences growing up inspired her to look for a solution to help other acne sufferers cope with removing make-up.

“My acne journey inspired me to make this product," she explains. "Due to my bad skin, I had such an active interest in skincare and would buy everything to try and help my skin.

“I don’t think I would have ever come up with the idea if I hadn't experienced that.”

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While she is keen to point out that the product isn't a "miracle for clearing up acne", it shouldn't cause a break out as it only uses water.

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Having designed the re-usable microfibre glove, which can be used by people with or without acne, she launched the product on TikTok and Instagram under her company name, Flossy Tools, last July.

Eggerton used social media demonstrations to promote the remover, which she sells online at £6.99 each, and has since sold over 500 gloves.

“Whilst I am not making a profit yet and still working full-time, I am reinvesting all the money back into the business so we can one day expand," she says of the venture.

“We are moving in the right direction and believe the business will be making a profit by the end of the year."

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And Eggerton says the product has received only positive reviews from the growing social media following.

“Everyone that has bought one has given the make-up removing mitten a four or five-star review," she adds.

“It’s overwhelming really because I know I love the product, but when other people are impressed with it that is amazing.”

Additional reporting SWNS.