Acne Treatment Advertisements Go Viral on TikTok

Health Union delivers 71K+ Likes, 1.2K+ Comments, and 232 Shares for Acne Advertising Campaign

Published Sept. 8, 2024 | 5 Minute Read

The Challenge: Finding a Winning Acne Marketing Strategy 

A renowned skincare brand aimed to captivate the vibrant 18 to 35 demographic with targeted acne treatment advertisements, directly addressing their skincare woes. The objective was clear: to engage this audience through a strategic blend of branded and unbranded content that resonates and connects.

However, the terrain was tricky. The acne treatment market, valued at a hefty $12.3 billion[1] in 2022 and expected to balloon to over $18.5 billion by 2032, is as competitive as it gets.

Amid a heightened emphasis on skin health and a surge of new treatments entering the market, standing out is challenging. Hyper-targeting acne sufferers to address the complex causes of acne, such as stress, pollution, and lifestyle choices, adds additional complexity. With 85%[2] of Americans experiencing acne at some stage and 50 million actively dealing with it, the landscape is as extensive in its potential reach and intense competition.

Enter Health Union, tasked by this dermatological leader, to break into the crowded acne care space. The aim? Boost landing page visits and script numbers by connecting authentically with young adults through content that entertains, educates, and inspires action. With a strategic approach that married creativity with insight, Health Union set out to craft a campaign that would meet and exceed the brand’s ambitious goals.

The Solution: Getting The Healthcare Brand to Stand Out on TikTok 

Health Union identified TikTok as the ideal platform to connect with younger consumers struggling with acne, leveraging its vast reach to enhance engagement and guide these individuals to the client’s website. The decision was part of a strategic initiative to tap into the platform’s dynamic user base and increase visibility among a key demographic.

Clearing Up the Scene: Hyper Targeting the 18-35 Acne Demographic

Health Union began by crafting a targeting strategy that was as sharp as savvy. Individuals grappling with acne span many life stages and confront varied skin health obstacles. Here are the audiences we zeroed in on.

  • Young Adults and Millennials: Life’s in high gear with career shifts, educational milestones, and personal growth—all potential acne triggers.
  • Skincare Connoisseurs: These are the folks who know their hyaluronic acid from their salicylic acid. They don’t just use products; they’re unofficial brand ambassadors.
  • Adult-Onset Acne Warriors: Facing a myriad of stressors and hormonal fluctuations, this demographic is in abundance. By engaging with these individuals, the brand positioned itself as a trusted ally in their skincare journey.
  • Men in the Mix: Skincare is gender-neutral, and so is acne. As interest in skincare grows among men, acknowledging their needs breaks down stereotypes and expands the market.
  • The Budget-Wise: Effective doesn’t have to mean expensive. Quality skincare should be affordable. Catering to this group ensures that effective solutions are accessible, emphasizing value without compromising performance.
  • Community Champions: Building a brand on community spirit means fostering a supportive space for shared experiences. Targeting these champions enhances loyalty and establishes a caring, inclusive brand culture.

Recent Articles

The Power of Nurse Influence: Why Healthcare Brands Need to Advertise to Nurses

Nurses interact with patients daily, collaborate with physicians, and advocate for new treatments, devices, and policies that improve care delivery.

Read more

How to Create Patient Personas That Strengthen Brand Engagement

Harnessing the power of patient personas allows healthcare marketers to shift from one-size-fits-all tactics to highly personalized and relevant outreach that resonates deeply with target audiences.

Read more

10 Effective Strategies for Marketing to Doctors in 2025

Marketing to doctors and physicians in today’s healthcare industry is more challenging than ever.

Read more

Why Use TikTok for Acne Advertising Campaigns?

TikTok’s ascent as a leading social platform, especially among the younger crowd, aligns perfectly with the demographic Health Union aims to engage. With Gen Z and young adults flocking to TikTok[3] and dedicating nearly an hour daily to scrolling[4], the platform offers a prime opportunity for targeted outreach. Here’s why TikTok became Health Union’s strategic choice for reaching its audience:

  • Young Demographic Reach: TikTok’s user base skews towards the 18-35 age acne demographic. It’s the go-to platform for reaching individuals seeking help for skin concerns.
  • High Engagement Rates: The platform’s knack for high user engagement makes it an ideal venue for brands to capture attention. Viral potential means significant visibility for Health Union’s campaigns with the right content strategy.
  • Visual Storytelling: TikTok’s format supports engaging visual content, crucial for showcasing acne treatment effects through before-and-after visuals, testimonials, and product demos.
  • Interactive Content: The platform encourages user participation with features like challenges and hashtags. Health Union leveraged this interactivity to foster user engagement and transform viewers into brand advocates.
  • Educational Opportunity: Beyond promotions, TikTok allows for educational content about acne prevention and care, positioning Health Union as a trustworthy authority in skincare.
  • Trend-Setting Platform: Establishing a presence on TikTok helps position acne treatment brands as innovative and in tune with the latest digital marketing trends.

Health Union’s strategy on TikTok was calculated and precise—engage a young audience where they spend their time with content that educates, entertains, and encourages participation, setting the stage for a successful campaign.

The Results: Acne Advertising Campaign Enhances Brand Awareness & Consumer Engagement

From the get-go, Health Union’s dermatology campaign on TikTok was successful, quickly capturing the attention of the younger demographic it aimed to reach. The numbers speak volumes: within the initial three months, the campaign’s TikTok ads didn’t just attract views—they turned viewers into active participants, underlining the platform’s magnetic pull on this age group.

Elevated Engagement Through TikTok in Healthcare

The campaign’s metrics clearly indicated success, amassing over 71,000 likes, 1,200 comments, and 232 shares. The preference for video content was unmistakable, with video ads striking a chord with the audience—evidence that video reigns supreme on social media when it comes to engagement.

Strengthening Bonds with Acne-Affected Audiences

The numbers tell a story of strategic finesse: branded content achieved a 1.06% click-through rate (CTR), and unbranded content was just a little behind, with a 0.87 % CTR and an overall cost per click (CPC) of $1.22. This balanced approach between branded and unbranded narratives allowed Health Union’s client to present itself as an authentic and trustworthy authority and forge stronger connections with its intended audience.

_______________________________________________________________________________________

Learn more about how Health Union is activating the largest and most unique HCP data in healthcare: health-union.com/human-side-of-data/#HCP 

Sources

  1. Acne medication market size by therapeutic class (antibiotics, benzoyl peroxide, retinoids, salicylic acid, and others), and by type (over-the-counter medicines and prescription medicines) regions, global industry analysis, share, growth, trends, and forecast 2023 to 2032. (2023, December). The Brainy Insights. https://www.thebrainyinsights.com/report/acne-medication-market-13845
  2. Harth, Y. (2023, November 12). Acne statistics – update. MDacne. https://www.mdacne.com/article/acne-statistics-update
  3. Lebow, S. (2023, December 14). Gen Z leads the pack on Snapchat, TikTok. EMARKETER.
    https://www.emarketer.com/content/gen-z-leads-pack-on-snapchat-tiktok
  4. Lebow, S. (2023, March 16). TikTok screen time is growing faster than expected for adult users. EMARKETER. https://www.emarketer.com/content/tiktok-screen-time-growing-faster-expected-adult-users
  5. Sanghavi, A. 50+ effective video marketing statistics for growth in 2024. G2. https://www.g2.com/articles/video-marketing-statistics

Recent Articles

The Power of Nurse Influence: Why Healthcare Brands Need to Advertise to Nurses

Nurses interact with patients daily, collaborate with physicians, and advocate for new treatments, devices, and policies that improve care delivery.

Read more

How to Create Patient Personas That Strengthen Brand Engagement

Harnessing the power of patient personas allows healthcare marketers to shift from one-size-fits-all tactics to highly personalized and relevant outreach that resonates deeply with target audiences.

Read more

10 Effective Strategies for Marketing to Doctors in 2025

Marketing to doctors and physicians in today’s healthcare industry is more challenging than ever.

Read more