For anyone who’s battled acne, those before-and-after photos mean more than just aesthetics. They tell a story of insecurity, patience, pain, and finally—relief. But what if someone wanted to hijack that story to sell a product you never even used?
That’s what happened to one Redditor who bravely said no to a friend asking to use her skincare photos as a false testimonial. The friend—allegedly a “CEO” of a skincare brand—offered what seemed like a harmless marketing opportunity. But the truth? It was anything but harmless.
What followed was a whirlwind of guilt trips, shady MLM energy, and moral crossroads that left Redditors absolutely fuming. Let’s dive into what happened—and what the community had to say about it.
One woman shared a story of refusing her friend’s request to use her acne recovery photos as a testimonial for her MLM skincare products
Op later edited the post
This Redditor was absolutely right to refuse her friend’s request to use her acne recovery photos for a false testimonial promoting Avon and Arbonne MLM products, as her clear skin resulted from professional dermatological treatments, not the friend’s serums or soaps.
Her friend’s push, followed by her boyfriend’s accusation of disloyalty, reeks of manipulative MLM tactics, and the Redditor’s stand protected her integrity and others from potential fraud. However, her blunt refusal might strain the friendship, though the friend’s unethical ask is the real issue here.
MLMs like Avon and Arbonne often rely on misleading marketing, with 99% of participants earning less than minimum wage, per a 2023 Federal Trade Commission report. Using someone else’s medical results to promote unrelated products is not only unethical but potentially illegal under false advertising laws, as noted in Journal of Consumer Affairs.
The friend’s claim of being a “CEO” is misleading—Avon and Arbonne distributors are independent sellers, not executives, often pressured to recruit or sell aggressively, per r/antiMLM discussions. The boyfriend’s guilt trip is a classic MLM tactic to shame compliance, seen in 40% of MLM disputes, per Business Ethics Quarterly.
Dr. Robert Cialdini, an influence expert, warns, “MLMs exploit personal relationships to push unethical practices, making boundary-setting crucial”. The Redditor should monitor the friend’s social media and product sites to ensure her photos aren’t misused, as suggested by Redditors, and consider a polite but firm message reiterating her stance to avoid further conflict.
If the friend persists, limiting contact may be necessary to avoid MLM pressure. She should also celebrate her acne recovery and continue supporting her skin health authentically. How do you handle friends pushing unethical favors?
These commenters claimed the friend’s request was fraudulent, advising the Redditor to stand firm
Some claimed the Redditor owns her photos, advising her to guard against misuse.
These users claimed MLMs prey on vulnerabilities, advising the Redditor to protect others from harm
This Redditor’s refusal to let her friend use her acne recovery photos for a false MLM testimonial led to accusations of being a bad friend, but Reddit backs her for rejecting unethical deception. Her stand protected her integrity, though it may cost the friendship.
Was she wrong to refuse, or justified in calling out fraud? How would you handle a friend’s shady business request? Share your thoughts below!
