HPPY Skin’s founder, Hannah Penn, is sharing her personal experience with acne and how it affected her. Hannah opened up and answered questions about her journey and how it led her to create HPPY Skin.
Skin & Mental Health
What’s been your relationship with your skin over the years? In what ways has it shaped your self-image or affected your mental health?
I’ve always had a deep appreciation for my skin. It’s our largest organ and our first line of defense. But even when you’re doing all the “right” things, it can be really hard not to feel like you’re somehow failing yourself. I developed hormonal acne at a time you don’t typically expect it—right after college. Looking back, it makes sense given how much change was happening, but in the moment, it didn’t make it any easier. There were plenty of days spent avoiding mirrors, putting off plans, and carrying around this heavy weight of insecurity. I kept telling myself it was just a season, that it would pass—but it wasn’t easy to believe. My relationship with my skin has always bounced between self-compassion and self-criticism. It’s still something I stay mindful of today.
Skincare Products For All Skin Types
How did your experience with acne lead you to create HPPY, and how has it shaped the brand’s mission and your connection to the community?
It was definitely a tough and emotional experience. The products I was using dried out my skin so much that it ended up feeling even more painful and uncomfortable than it already was. I felt like I was doing everything “right” and still had no control. The products that were supposed to help just made things worse. It really opened my eyes to how isolating and overwhelming skin struggles can be. I knew I wanted HPPY to be more than just skincare—I wanted it to be a community where people feel seen, supported, and celebrated, no matter what their skin is going through. My own journey taught me that healthy skin isn’t about being flawless or poreless; it’s about feeling good in your skin and being kind to yourself along the way. Everything we do at HPPY comes from that place of realness, compassion, and connection.
Acne Journey & Advice
If you could go back and tell your younger self one thing during the hardest moments of your acne journey, what would it be? And what would you say to someone going through it now?
I spent way too much time thinking I needed to “fix” something to feel good about myself, when really, I was already enough. Acne doesn’t change that. I would tell myself to breathe, be a little kinder, and not let a breakout ruin a perfectly good day. Give yourself grace—and remember you are so much more than what’s happening on the surface.
Acne & Mental Health
As one of the most common skin conditions, acne affects “around 85% of people between the ages of 12 and 24, [with] 25% of women and 12% of men in their 40s report [still] having acne,” and can have a huge impact on our psychological well-being. Living with chronic acne often feels like an emotional rollercoaster because you never know the severity of your breakouts from day to day. Because we live in a society that’s saturated with curated, filtered images, there's constant pressure to meet an unrealistic standard of “perfect” skin. Those who suffer from acne sometimes feel like they want to hide from society, and their mental health is often rated worse among patients, according to a study at IMR.
Skincare Products For Acne-Prone Skin
Say hello to clearer skin with HPPY’s Barrier Cream, Calm Mask, and Clarity Mask. Whether you’re battling breakouts, clogged pores, or stubborn blemishes, the right products can make all the difference. HPPY skincare products are formulated with our patented High-Pressure Processing (HPP) which extracts and maintains the potency of whole-food antioxidants for skincare that's both clean and effective.
Hannah’s Routine
Hannah’s daily regimen unlocks the full antioxidant power of HPPY Skin’s products, delivering deep cleansing, next-level hydration, and skin-enhancing results in just a few simple steps.
Hannah’s Routine includes the Blur + Nourish Golden Oil Cleanser, the Brighten + Glow Golden Vitamin C Serum, the Hydrate + Condition Gel Cleanser, the Plump + Renew Hyaluronic Acid Serum, and the Restore + Repair Barrier Cream.
Discover the skincare that’s made to keep your skin healthy, and glow with confidence!
