Like many other people my age, I’ve had my fair share of skin insecurities. Since I was twelve, I’ve struggled with cystic acne and my relationship with my skin has forever been an uphill battle. My breakouts started popping up faster than my spot treatment could eliminate them and, shortly thereafter, became so severe that I began to see a dermatologist. My skin never responded to the treatments, and I found myself looking at my new spots with revulsion. My reflection in the mirror seemed changed—not only by discoloration and marks, but with humiliation and disgust, too.
Every morning of high school, I left home with a full face of concealer and foundation, often touching up in between classes. I was ashamed that I felt the need to ‘hide’ my insecurities from my peers, but I couldn’t let anyone see me—at least not like this. I began developing the habit of shielding my face with my hair and hands, and found difficulty in maintaining eye-contact with people. I despised being called on or presenting in front of a class, because in my eyes, my acne would be the center of attention.
Social media didn’t help, either. Every time I opened up my Instagram feed, I’d feel a pang of jealousy for those individuals with clear, perfect skin. It even made me hesitant to put myself out there, because even when my skin was at its best, it wasn’t good enough. While I knew that people had the tendency to only post the best version of themselves on social media, it didn’t help the insecurities I had for myself. With every new zit or breakout, my self-esteem shattered and I fell into a downward spiral of self-hatred.
Though at times I may be guilty of placing excessive emphasis on my own appearance, I ultimately realized that the way I viewed myself was the reason why I was so unhappy. I slowly began embracing my imperfections and grew comfortable with being barefaced in front of others. My relationship with makeup improved too, because I no longer felt obligated to cover up everyday. I know that developing confidence with your skin isn’t an easy task, but it’s definitely not impossible. Even when I still feel small moments of insecurity now and then, and here are a few tips that I use to help myself feel more confident in my own skin:
1. Embrace your own beauty instead of comparing yourself to society’s standards.
You should never feel the need to change or cover up just to show others that you are beautiful. For years, I compared myself to everyone around me and was scared to show people my real skin. Imperfections are real and natural, and nothing to be ashamed of. Embrace it, and turn the negativity into something positive, because everyone is beautiful, acne or not.
2. Focus on your emotional health.
Imperfections can truly change the relationship you have with yourself. Try to accept the situation whilst dealing with it positively, because you deserve to be happy, regardless of your skin. Whenever I feel a breakout coming along, I try to focus my energy elsewhere. Whether it be spending time with your friends and family, enjoying a self-care night, or meditating, focus on your emotional happiness instead of worrying about things you can’t control.
3. Have patience and know that you are not alone.
Everyone’s skin is different and it may take time to figure out what’s truly right for you. I’ve struggled with acne for over seven years, but only recently discovered a skincare regimen that improved my skin instead of worsening it. Have some patience, and know that things will get better. It’s so easy to feel like you’re the only one struggling with your skin, when in reality, there are so many other people on the same boat as you. If you’re looking at social media, try exploring the pages of skin-positive influencers (my personal favorites are Kadeeja Sel Khan and Em Ford) and know that you will never be alone.
In essence, my acne taught me how to love myself, and with these tips, I hope that you can regain some confidence, appreciate your flaws, and embrace your natural beauty. Hold your head up – you got this!