I was fortunate most of my life to have clear skin.
If I’m being blunt, I really didn’t give a shit about skincare until I was ~20. Hard to believe, but no sun screen ever, no serums, creams, or even a proper face wash. And how lucky I was to never encounter bad skin considering I worked in a grease-encumbered environment from age 16-22 (I waited tables throughout high school and college). Some nights I washed my face and if I was too tired, it wasn’t a big deal yet I remained havoc free. Enter 25 and things plummeted downward quickly. I endured 7 months of an acne-stricken complexion and just when I thought I was on the loose, it crept back in and raided me. I thought this shit only happens during puberty – nope!
I had IPL in Sydney back in May and that seemed to help a lot, but after about 7 weeks, the battle became piercing again… No remedy nor holistic passage swayed in my favor. No matter how much water I drank or antioxidants I chugged…nothing. I’m a little sad to say I’ve surrendered and turned to my last resort: hormonal treatment. The good news is, I’m finally seeing the light… The bad news is, well…I really didn’t want to go this far. It’s a catch-22.
I strongly feel for anyone and everyone battling bad skin… I know how agonizing the pain can be, so for all my lucky ladies (and guys) out there, be thankful for what you have – because what you don’t have to deal with is an incomprehensible blessing. It’s terrifying how your self-esteem takes a plunge when you’re in that boat… And if you don’t know, have a little mercy for the rest of us. Here’s the terrifying truth about bad skin:
Everyone thinks you’re doing something wrong.
Yes, I wash my face. Yes, I’ve tried almost every OTC treatment. Yes, I’ve cut sugar, dairy, gluten, oil, etc. I can honestly say I did every damn thing the Internet said to do except for modern medicine. It’s annoying as hell when someone assumes I haven’t tried something or that I have hygiene issues… Please. No.
You don’t want to put anything on your face.
The dilemma is so real. You need to slather on makeup because your skin looks like shit but you don’t want to put on makeup because it might worsen the acne. So what do you do? You don’t do shit. I at least work from home so I can get away with going bare skin day in and day out, but I remember my corporate days… I just did not know what to do. It’s like sleeping every night and praying for a miracle when you wake up to the mirror, but it never happens.
You don’t want to take photos.
I’ve become absurdly self-conscious about my skin this year – and it’s unfortunate because the industry I work in. I’m just never in the mood for selfies or photographs. No amount of salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, retinol, or peptides – or makeup – could turn my complexion around or change my mind about how I felt. If my skin was bad, I didn’t feel good and if I didn’t feel good, I didn’t want to do anything – especially take photos!
It seriously stresses you out.
I probably get borderline depressed when my skin is in the shit. What makes it worse is that your skin behaves in tandem! I’m not one to give up, but I’ve basically given up treating this horror show!
Can you relate? I’d love to hear your skincare woes and solutions!!
I realize I’m probably overreacting a little, but this is seriously how I feel…
