Home and Away star Maddison Brown has opened up about the emotional toll of running her own skincare brand, sharing a raw and tearful video with fans on Instagram.

“I Couldn’t Stop the Tears Flowing”

In a rare moment of vulnerability, Maddison admitted she felt completely overwhelmed while trying to film new ads for her company, Outside Beauty & Skincare, which she co-founded in 2023 with her sister Allyson Popovic.

“I sat down to shoot some ads and just all of a sudden felt so burnt out and exhausted,” she told followers through tears. “I couldn’t stop the tears flowing.”

The 28-year-old actress confessed that, despite appearing confident and driven, she’s been struggling to maintain balance while juggling her acting career and business responsibilities.

“I thought I was so clever and had such a good idea,” she said. “But we’ve just been going, going, and going for over three years now. We both work seven days a week, and we’ve never paid ourselves a cent from the business.”

A Candid Look Behind the Success

Outside Beauty & Skincare quickly gained traction for its SPF-focused, cruelty-free, and eco-friendly formulas. The brand’s sunscreen and moisturising creams have earned glowing five-star reviews online.

However, Maddison revealed that success on paper doesn’t tell the full story.

“I think I try to portray this image of success and hard work — and that’s all real,” she explained. “But these moments, like I’m having right now, happen way more often.”

In her caption, she described the emotional highs and lows of being a self-funded entrepreneur: “Every win feels personal, and every challenge even more so.”

Celebrity Support and Words of Encouragement

After posting the video, Maddison received an outpouring of love from fans and celebrity friends alike. Home and Away co-star Emily Weir (Mackenzie Booth) shared a string of heart emojis, while model and fellow business owner Megan Gale offered comforting words: “Oh honey, I feel you. I’ve been there, and it’s brutal. The lessons from it all will emerge, and they can be invaluable.”

The Story Behind the Brand

Maddison and her sister founded Outside Beauty & Skincare after growing up acutely aware of the dangers of sun exposure. On their website, they revealed that their father’s best friend tragically passed away from melanoma when they were children — a loss that inspired their mission to create elevated SPF products that protect and nourish the skin.

Today, the brand has over 29,000 Instagram followers and continues to grow. Despite the exhaustion, Maddison remains determined to keep going, saying she’s learning to embrace vulnerability as part of the journey.

“Being a success on paper only tells half the story,” she wrote. “Behind the scenes it’s late nights, self-doubt, small victories, and a whole lot of persistence.”

A New Chapter in the Spotlight

After more than a decade living and working in the United States — including her acclaimed role as Kirby Anders in Dynasty — Maddison returned to Australia in 2024. In June this year, she joined Home and Away as Jo Langham, marking her highly anticipated homecoming to Australian television.

Her heartfelt honesty about burnout has struck a chord with fans, serving as a powerful reminder that behind every successful career or business lies a very human story of sacrifice, perseverance, and hope.