I don’t know about you, but I grew up dreading the thought of having acne one day. I always thought that it was a flaw, something that should be hidden. I spent years trying to hide my pimples with concealer and foundation – and popping them too – which ultimately made it worse.
We’ve always been told that acne’s ugly, that as long as we have pimples, we’re never going to be attractive, which is absolute bullshit. A few bumps or pimples or scars on your face do not define your beauty. Beauty standards literally go in and out of fashion. People used to get bullied for having freckles, for having crooked teeth and monolids.
Now? All those things have become recent beauty trends. Hypocritical much?
Even so, you never see supermodels walking around flaunting their pimples, despite the fact that over 90% of the world experiences acne. So.. why aren’t we normalizing acne yet?
The truth is, fuck beauty standards. Don’t wait for acne to suddenly become a trend. Stop hating your own skin just because other people are saying it’s not “attractive”. Almost everyone struggles with acne, whether it’s hormonal, puberty caused, or whatever the reason – it’s okay.
If you’re trying to clear your skin up and not sure where to start, I’ve got a few tips that may help you.
1. Figure Out Your Skin Type
The most important and obvious one, figure out whether your skin is oily, normal, dry or combination.
2. Wash Your Face Twice a Day
Washing your face 2 times a day lessens your chances of getting pimples every so often. I know most of us can get lazy and skip this step, but once you get into the routine of doing it, you’ll be thankful you did.
3. Use a Suitable Cleanser
Find a cleanser that’s right for you and your skin type. I personally suggest contacting a dermatologist for this one.
Keep in mind – price doesn’t matter when it comes to skincare. A high end cleanser could have a drugstore dupe that works just as good.
Some recommendations:
For oily skin: CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser for Normal to Oily Skin or La Roche-Posay
Toleriane Purifying Foaming Cleanser for Oily Skin
For normal skin: Cetaphil Daily Skin Cleanser or
For dry skin: Cetaphil Daily Skin Cleanser (also great for sensitive skin) or Mario Badescu Enzyme Cleansing Gel
For acne-prone skin: Neutrogena Rapid Clear Stubborn Acne Cleanser or La Roche Posay Effaclar Medicated Cleanser
4. Exfoliate
Exfoliating helps get rid of dead skin cells which can cause clogged pores and breakouts if left on your face too long.
5. Change your Pillowcase Often
If you don’t change your pillowcase at least once a week, dirt, bacteria, oil, and other things can build up, leading to breakouts.
6. Relax
Stress can really take a toll on a person, mentally and acne-wise. If you have high-stress levels, you’re more likely to break out during that time.
These are just a few beginner tips to help you start out on your skincare journey. If your acne doesn’t seem to go away whatsoever, it may be a better idea to go to a dermatologist/seek professional help. Whatever you decide to do, just remember that you don’t need external validation. You are enough, you are beautiful and no one can tell you otherwise unless you
written by: Hagar Ezzo
