Scarlett Johansson opens up about skin struggles and building The Outset

Scarlett Johansson has spent years in front of the camera, often seen as flawless on screen. But away from the spotlight, her experience with skin has been very different. In a recent interview with CBS News, she spoke about dealing with acne from a young age and how it shaped her confidence.

She said, “I felt like I had to wake up and, like, cover up all this acne before I got to work. It’s a lot of effort. It weighs on you.” That feeling stayed with her for years, even during the early part of her career.

Early career pressure and personal insecurities

Johansson recalled a moment from the set of The Horse Whisperer, where she acted alongside Robert Redford. She was still very young, and a comment from a makeup artist left a mark.

She shared, “As, like, a pre-teen adolescent, you’re just so self-conscious, and then you have the makeup artist pointing it out. And you’re working on set and people are trying to kind of light around it. It’s just awful.”

Those early experiences stayed with her and slowly pushed her to understand her skin better.

Why Scarlett Johansson started The Outset

After trying different treatments for years, Johansson decided to build something of her own. That idea became The Outset, a skincare line focused on gentle products for sensitive skin.

She said she also dealt with melasma later in life. “I started getting melasma about 10 years ago,” she said, adding that her products are designed to handle such issues in a simple way.

The brand reflects her personal journey more than anything else. It is not about trends or heavy routines. It is about keeping things clean and manageable.

Breaking out of the “bombshell” image

Johansson also spoke about how she was often offered similar roles early in her career. She said she was seen as “the other woman, or the side piece, the bombshell,” and it was not easy to break that pattern.

There was always a fear that saying no could mean losing opportunities. “Every actor feels like that, because it is so competitive,” she said.

Over time, she chose roles that helped her move past that image. Her performances in Marriage Story and Jojo Rabbit even earned her Oscar nominations in the same year.

Support from Colin Jost and life behind the brand

Her husband, Colin Jost, has been part of her skincare journey in a very hands-on way. Johansson joked that he became her “skin care guinea pig” while testing products.

She recalled one moment where he tried a face mask without knowing it would tingle. “He was like, ‘It’s burning! It’s burning! Like, is it supposed to be doing this?’” she said, laughing.

Balancing fame, business, and family

At 41, Johansson has built a strong film career and now runs a growing business. But she admits balance is still a work in progress.

“I think actually admitting that there is no work life balance is the first step,” she said. She added that being kinder to herself has helped her deal with the pressure of doing many things at once.

She tries to accept that not everything can be perfect all the time. “Is it good enough? Yeah. Good enough,” she said.

A career that keeps evolving

Johansson’s films have earned billions worldwide, but she seems more focused on growth than numbers. Acting, business, and family all play a role in her life now.

She is learning to slow down and appreciate her work. “I’m getting better at it,” she said when asked if she takes time to acknowledge her success.

For Johansson, success is no longer just about staying in the spotlight. It is about building something real and learning along the way.

FAQ 

Who owns The Outset skincare brand?
Scarlett Johansson is the co-founder of The Outset, a skincare line focused on simple and gentle products.

What skin issues did Scarlett Johansson face?
She dealt with acne from a young age and later experienced melasma.

Is The Outset good for sensitive skin?
The brand is designed for sensitive skin with minimal and clean ingredients.

Did Colin Jost help with The Outset?
Yes, Colin Jost tested products during development and was involved early on.