When it comes to all things acne, I’m kind of an expert. For most of my life, I’ve struggled with pesky pimples, but I started having severe breakouts my freshman year of high school. I’d have hard, painful knots under my skin and angry red patches on the surface. Wearing makeup didn’t help either — the pimples would pop right through any concealer. It took months of medication and years of working on my self-worth to have the confidence I do today. Here are a few lessons I learned — hopefully they help you too!
Nobody’s perfect, and that’s okay!
It’s not just a Hannah Montana anthem. The girl you see in the second picture definitely doesn’t have perfect skin — to this day, I have scars and hyperpigmentation and I probably always will. Plus, between mask-ne and the stress of college, stubborn bumps still pop up all the time. In a world full of filters, it’s important to remember that what looks like clear skin can be a golden-hour-worthy illusion. Don’t beat yourself up if your feed is full of “perfection” — social media is just the highlight reel!
Your acne is not your fault.
I don’t know how many articles I’ve read that blame your latest breakout on the leftover pizza you had last night or the pillowcase you’re sleeping on. Sometimes that’s part of the problem, but mostly, acne is caused by loads of other factors you can’t control — your genetics, your hormones, even the weather. Turning acne into a way to shame others towards toxic thoughts regarding their health is never okay. There’s a difference between self-care and self-loathing, and it’s always important to be kind to yourself.
The right treatment isn’t always the trendy one.
Man, I wish skincare was as easy as slapping on a face mask and calling it a night. For me, tackling my acne looked like seven months of Accutane — which meant daily pills, monthly blood tests, and super dry skin and lips. Even now, I have really sensitive skin, and I usually can’t hop on the latest trends without breaking out. You know your skin better than anyone, and there are tons of products out there to try — don’t worry if the ones on your For You page aren’t a perfect fit!
You are allowed to take your insecurities seriously.
When it comes to body positivity, acne is usually treated as more of a minor annoyance than a major insecurity. You might be tempted to brush off how you really feel because you don’t want to be “that girl” who’s obsessed with her appearance. Maybe your friends or family members have told you to “get over yourself” when you bring up your acne. But here’s the truth: your feeling is valid, and you’re not crazy for caring about your appearance. Acne is a medical condition, and it deserves to be taken seriously. You don’t always have to be thankful it’s not worse, or that it’s “just a pimple” — this is the skin you’re in, and it is totally valid to care about it!
You look incredible just the way you are!
It can be so, so frustrating to hear your friend complain about a single zit on her chin when you feel like you have the Ring of Fire on your face. But I promise you, at the end of the day, people don’t remember the pimples — all they think about is how great of a friend/sister/daughter you are! Self-love can be super hard when it feels like your face isn’t getting the message, but confidence comes over time when you treat yourself with the respect you deserve. Don’t be afraid to show off your skin!
The last thing anyone with acne wants to hear is that it gets better with time, but it’s true. As you take charge of your treatment options and practice speaking to yourself kindly, confidence will kick in. You’re not in it alone — you’ve got this gorgeous!