'My chronic acne inspired me to start my own skincare company'

The BBC's weekly The Boss series profiles different business leaders from around the world. This week we speak to Michelle Doherty, founder and boss of skincare business Alpha-H.

Michelle Doherty says that during her almost 14-year battle against chronic acne she tried everything in an attempt to cure it.

In addition to prescription medications, she used methylated spirits, tea tree oil, and even put toothpaste on the spots.

But nothing worked, and some of the harsher treatments only worsened the problem and her self esteem, as the acne persisted from when she was 14 to nearly 28.

"I was [even] on antibiotics for 11 years," says the 57-year-old New Zealander looking back. "And I was also on a contraceptive tablet to address hormonal functions."

It was particularly depressing for her younger self, because after leaving school in Auckland when she was 15, she started a career as a cosmetics salesperson.

Very self-conscious, she says her acne left her feeling that people noticed her skin, rather than her the person. "I felt so unclean," says Michelle. "In the beauty salons they stocked skincare for people who already had beautiful skin. I wondered: where do people go when they've got problem skin":[]}