I remember when I was a teenager in High School, and if I woke up with a big zit, I literally wanted to stay home. And I was lucky — I never had acne but enough pimples to dent my confidence. I bet you haven’t forgotten those days either. That’s why I wanted to write about ‘Project Happy Face’ and the tremendous work they are doing. But enough about me…
Project Happy Face is a mission-driven nonprofit dedicated to transforming the lives of teenagers in disadvantaged and underserved rural communities by addressing a challenge that often goes overlooked: access to professional skincare and dermatological care. Founded by dermatologist Amy Snow-PA, the organization drives mobile units to these underserved areas. Interviewing Dr. Snow, you can’t help but be caught up by her tremendous enthusiasm for her mission, which is to give teens confidence and prevent melanoma by early diagnosis.
At its core, the organization believes that clear skin fosters confidence, self-esteem, and brighter future prospects for young people — especially those who, due to geographic or socioeconomic barriers, have limited access to specialists who can help them manage acne and other skin conditions.
In many remote areas, particularly across Central and Eastern Oregon, where the organization was founded, teens living far from urban centers may struggle with persistent acne without the means to see a dermatologist or obtain medical-grade treatments. Project Happy Face steps into that gap by offering free acne treatments, dermatology evaluations, skincare products, and professional guidance to exemplary students from disadvantaged backgrounds. The mission is not only to improve physical skin health but to nurture emotional well-being, helping teens feel confident in their own skin and better equipped to pursue their goals.
Amy Snow, Founder, with happy patients.
A key innovation in their approach is the use of a mobile dermatology clinic — a fully equipped unit staffed by licensed professionals that travels directly to underserved communities. This outreach ensures that distance and lack of local medical infrastructure don’t prevent young people and their families from receiving compassionate, high-quality care. The services include acne treatment and education as well as broader skin health support such as free skin cancer screenings for all ages.
Project Happy Face also actively celebrates the long-term impact of their work. Many alumni of the program report meaningful boosts in confidence, academic engagement, and community involvement after receiving care — illustrating how access to skin health resources can help teens focus on their potential rather than their struggles.
One of the organization’s significant supporters is the pharmaceutical brand Winlevi® — a prescription acne medication developed for use in teens and adults. Team WINLEVI® proudly supports the important work of Project Happy Face, helping expand the nonprofit’s ability to deliver effective acne care to young people who might otherwise go without specialist treatments altogether. (Unlike other treatments which dry out the skin, this cream hydrates, so you don’t wake up with dry, flaky skin.)
By combining clinical care, education, mentorship, and sponsor support like that from Winlevi, Project Happy Face empowers teens in disadvantaged areas not just to clear their skin, but to carry themselves with confidence and optimism as they pursue their futures.
Kudos to them!