[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Skin picking. Hair pulling. Nail biting. For many, these behaviors, while slightly embarrassing, are written off as mere quirks or bad habits. But for millions of people, they represent something much more serious—a condition known as body-focused repetitive behaviors (BFRBs). These behaviors often begin in childhood or adolescence, typically around puberty, and disproportionately affect girls and women. They can escalate over time, leading to physical damage such as scarring, bald patches or infections, but the deepest wounds are often psychological: shame, secrecy and isolation.
What is a skin picking disorder?
Skin-picking disorder, formally called excoriation disorder or dermatillomania, is now recognized in the DSM-5 as part of the obsessive-compulsive and related disorders category. It’s characterized by recurrent, compulsive picking at one’s skin, leading to noticeable damage, and repeated unsuccessful efforts to stop.
Estimates suggest that around 3 percent of the population is affected by BFRBs, though underreporting is common due to the stigma that surrounds it. Like other BFRBs, constant skin-picking often coexists with anxiety, depression or obsessive-compulsive disorder. People may feel a powerful urge or tension that builds until they engage in the behavior, followed by a fleeting sense of relief. But that relief is usually short-lived, replaced quickly by guilt, frustration and the fear of being judged.
Because the physical consequences—scabs, lesions, bald spots—can be difficult to hide, many sufferers go to great lengths to conceal their condition. Some avoid medical exams, relationships or public settings altogether. Rarely are these disorders are discussed, even among mental health professionals. They remain overshadowed by more commonly recognized conditions, despite being more prevalent than anorexia nervosa or schizophrenia.
Public awareness is slowly shifting, thanks in part to advocacy organizations and a handful of public figures, such as Amy Schumer, Rashida Jones and Cameron Diaz, who’ve spoken out about their own experiences with BFRBs. Social media can offer both community and visibility, but also exacerbates the potential for comparison, misinformation and intensified stigma.
Body focused repetitive behaviors: strategies and resources
There’s no single cure for BFRBs, but behavioral therapy, particularly habit-reversal training and cognitive-behavioral approaches, has been shown to help. Increasingly, clinicians are incorporating tools like mindfulness, sensory substitutes (e.g. fidget devices) and wearable reminders to intervene before the urge escalates.
A growing number of therapists now specialize in these disorders, and non-profit organizations have stepped in to fill gaps in support. One U.S.-based group, the TLC Foundation, offers an annual conference, a therapist directory and online communities where people can connect with like-minded others.
There are even promising research developments underway. A multi-institutional study launched in recent years is working to identify genetic and neurological markers associated with BFRBs—an effort that could eventually lead to more personalized treatment options.
For those who live with skin-picking or other BFRBs, the first step is often the hardest: telling someone. The silence surrounding these disorders is one of the most powerful enablers of the behavior. But with greater awareness, destigmatization and improved access to care, that silence can begin to crack open.
The message needs to be clear: these are not just wonky habits or moral failings or signs of weak willpower. They are treatable conditions that deserve access to care.
The shame spiral
Shame plays a central—and corrosive—role in body-focused repetitive behaviors. Unlike more visible or socially understood conditions, BFRBs like skin-picking and hair-pulling are often seen as self-inflicted, or worse, as signs of laziness, attention-seeking or poor hygiene. This misunderstanding creates a loop: the person picks or pulls, feels ashamed, hides the behavior, and then turns back to the very behavior they’re trying to escape for comfort or relief.
This emotional spiral is especially powerful because shame thrives in silence. Many people with BFRBs go years—decades, even—before telling anyone. They avoid doctors, cancel social plans or dress strategically to hide bald patches or wounds. Some have never even acknowledged the impact of their behavior to themselves, let alone realized it has a clinical diagnosis and treatment options.
Shame also complicates recovery. It can make therapy feel threatening instead of healing, and it can lead people to abandon help when setbacks occur. After all, if you’ve internalized the belief that your behavior is disgusting or “crazy,” you may not believe you deserve help.
But once you understand that BFRB are neurobiological and behavioral conditions, often with genetic links, the more curiosity and compassion you can meet them with.
A minimal but healing skincare routine
When it comes to managing skin that’s been picked, prodded or poked, a minimal approach is your best bet. Overloading your face with trendy serums, harsh treatments or whatever social media is hyping doesn’t just drain your bank account. It can irritate your skin and trigger more picking.
For those with body-focused repetitive behaviors (BFRBs), the goal of skincare isn’t flawlessness—it’s functionality. Keeping products pared to basics can help counter the obsessive quality of multistep skincare regimes.
And skip harsh spot treatments. They’re often more punishing than helpful. Drying out a pimple might make it feel “treated,” but it also makes the skin more inflamed and more tempting to pick.
Here are five simple skincare steps that you can customize to your complexion’s needs.
- An alcohol-free cleanser to remove dirt and makeup (essential for mitigating breakouts). Try: Aveeno Calm + Restore Nourishing Oat Cleanser contains soothing oat and feverfew to gently cleanse sensitive skin.
- A hydrating toner that balances the skin’s pH and supports your skin’s barrier. Try: Honeybee Gardens Alcohol Free Hydrating Facial Toner
- A treatment serum, which is thinner than moisturizer and offers ingredients for specific skin issues (such as hyperpigmentation or scarring caused by picking). Try: Timeless Skin Care Coenzyme Q10 Serum
- A moisturizer, which hydrates and again protects the skin’s barrier. Try: Tree to Tub Deep Hydrating Moisturizer, which contains hyaluronic acid, green tea, and ginseng to hydrate delicate skin. You can also get a moisturizer that doubles as sunscreen for the day. Try: Andalou Naturals 1000 Roses Daily Shade Facial Lotion SPF 18
- Or you can use a moisturized followed by a sunscreen for day, such as Babo Botanicals Daily Sheer Sunscreen SPF 40. Then in the evening, choose a heavier moisturizer if your skin is dry. Try: The Organic Skin Co Daily Rituals Sea Buckthorn and Rosehip Moisturizer
A bodyguard for your face?
The best advice from dermatologists is to go all-in on patches. Incorporating hydrocolloid patches into your skincare routine can be a game-changer, especially for those who struggle with skin picking. These discreet, clear stickers not only protect healing spots but also serve as a physical barrier to deter further picking. Plus, they aid in the healing process by absorbing excess fluid and reducing inflammation.
After cleansing and drying your skin, apply hydrocolloid patches to any blemishes or areas prone to picking. Leave them on overnight to protect and heal, or even during the day.
For those moments when you feel compelled to pick, applying a patch can serve as a gentle reminder to let your skin heal. It's not uncommon to use multiple patches at once, covering each spot you're tempted to touch.
Our favorite patches:
Alba Botanica Acnedote Pimple Patches: These patches combine naturally derived ingredients with hydrocolloid technology to effectively absorb impurities and reduce inflammation.
Rael Miracle Patch Overnight Spot Cover: Designed for overnight use, these patches stay on your skin all night, gently removing oil and dirt from your pores as you snooze.
Avarelle Acne Cover Patch Frontline Essential: Infused with aloe oil, these patches soothe inflammation while fighting acne.
Welly Blemish Patch: Known for their fun designs, these patches offer a charming blend of style and function, encouraging frequent use while providing a protective barrier to speed up healing.
Pacifica Pore Warrior Overnight Rescue Spot Dots: Infused with tea tree oil, these patches help fight oil and reduce inflammation, making them ideal for overnight use.
Incorporating these patches into your routine can provide both physical protection and psychological relief, helping you resist the urge to pick and allowing your skin to heal more effectively.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_text_separator title="Featured Products" border_width="2"][vc_row_inner equal_height="yes" content_placement="middle" gap="35"][vc_column_inner width="1/3"][vc_single_image image="185173" img_size="full" alignment="center" onclick="custom_link" img_link_target="_blank" css=".vc_custom_1748797283239{padding-right: 7% !important;padding-left: 7% !important;}" link="https://www.vitacost.com/andalou-naturals-1000-roses-daily-shade-facial-lotion-spf-18"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width="1/3"][vc_single_image image="185172" img_size="full" alignment="center" onclick="custom_link" img_link_target="_blank" css=".vc_custom_1748797309244{padding-right: 7% !important;padding-left: 7% !important;}" link="https://www.vitacost.com/rael-miracle-patch-overnight-spot-cover"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width="1/3"][vc_single_image image="185174" img_size="full" alignment="center" onclick="custom_link" img_link_target="_blank" css=".vc_custom_1748797338962{padding-right: 7% !important;padding-left: 7% !important;}" link="https://www.vitacost.com/weleda-skin-food-face-care-nourishing-oil-to-milk-cleanser"][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row]
