Acne fully affects my mental health when I have a breakout
Lili Reinhart would rather be at home. “I’m very much a recluse,” she admits, sitting comfortably on a couch in a photo studio at Condé Nast. She’s kicked off her shoes, slipped into her own slippers, and dimmed the studio lights to make the space feel like a cozy corner of her living room. It’s this down-to-earth, honest energy that defines her—not just as an actress, but as a voice for mental health and skin positivity.
Reinhart, best known for her role as Betty Cooper on Riverdale, has always been candid about her struggles—with OCD, body dysmorphia, and, perhaps most relatable, acne. At 28, she’s no stranger to the pressure of the spotlight, having started acting at just 14.
“As an actor, but also just someone who was dealing with these breakouts in my 20s, I’m like, ‘Are people still breaking out? Am I the only one?’” she says. “Acne fully affects my mental health when I have a breakout”
It’s this vulnerability that fueled the creation of her new skin-care line, Personal Day, which officially launched today. The collection includes five targeted products—a cleansing powder, resurfacing peel, calming mask, salicylic acid treatment, and a moisturizer—all designed for acne-prone and sensitive skin. Developed in collaboration with dermatologist Dr. Mamina Turegano, psychologist Courtney Tracy, and esthetician Sarah Ford, the line reflects Reinhart’s mission: to create formulas that don’t just treat skin—they nurture self-esteem.
“I created Personal Day for people with acne and acne-prone or sensitive skin,” Reinhart says. “They can use these products and not trigger a new breakout”
But for Reinhart, this launch is about more than just products. It’s a personal rebellion against unattainable beauty standards that have shaped the industry—and affected her deeply. “In the early 2000s, you needed to be thin—there was no other choice,” she reflects.
“Then we started getting a little bit body positive in the 2010s. You saw more plus-size models; it really felt like a movement. But now, we’re reverting to our old ways”
Even when brands attempt to be inclusive, Reinhart says, “It feels a bit forced. Like, ‘Oh, we need to throw someone in there to make it seem inclusive…’ They can’t just exist.”
That constant ebb and flow has taken a toll. Last year, she publicly shared her frustration about the lack of body diversity—specifically, “average-size” arms—on X (formerly Twitter). “I had a little breakdown… I was almost triggered at that time. Everything on Instagram was these models and actresses with this particular body type over and over and over again and it was making me angry.”
Still, Reinhart finds hope in certain corners of the internet. “TikTok is probably the most body-positive app I’ve seen,” she says.
“I see so many women rallying around each other, praising each others’ bodies. The normalization of acne, especially what I’ve seen on TikTok, has helped me as well”
Lili Reinhart ’s grateful for the support of her fans, especially when she started posting about her own breakouts. “People really rallied around me and agreed and were like, ‘I’m also struggling.’ That helped me feel so much better.”
At home, skin care is more than routine—it’s a ritual. She often shares it with her boyfriend, actor Jack Martin. “I handed Jack the Personal Day Full Clarity Cleanser in the shower last night. I was like, ‘Open that,’ because it has a little twist at the top and I wanted to see him figure it out and he did,” she laughs.
“When I get lab samples of our products, I test them on him and my assistant—and of course, myself”
Through it all, Reinhart’s message is clear: authenticity is beautiful, imperfections are human, and self-care is sacred. With Personal Day, she’s not just launching a skin-care brand—she’s opening a conversation that’s long overdue.
