Note: As an affiliate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post. This helps support my work, but it won't cost you any extra. For more information, please read my full disclosure here.
In this blog, I’m going to share with you the lessons and insights I’ve gained from my 6-year battle with acne covering my face. It’s been a journey of ups and downs, but through it all, I’ve learned key ways to boost your self esteem and feel confident despite acne.
Dealing with acne is a challenge that goes beyond skin deep. It’s not just about the blemishes that appear on your face; it’s about the emotional storm that brews inside.
I 100% understand how you feel!!!
I’ve had acne all over my face and know exactly what it’s like to feel really embarrassed and insecure whenever you talk to someone or look at yourself in the mirror.
For over six years, I’ve navigated this turbulent journey, understanding first-hand the emotional toll it takes.
This blog is my heart’s response to that experience. I want to share more than just skincare routines or treatments; I want to guide you through the emotional labyrinth of living with acne.
My aim is to help you find strength and love within yourself, even when your skin doesn’t reflect how you feel inside.
I will share my stories, my lows, and my triumphs, hoping that they resonate with you and provide comfort and encouragement.
Let’s hold hands virtually and walk this journey together, learning to see our reflections with kindness and understanding. Your journey to loving yourself, in spite of acne, starts here.
My Acne Story
I started dealing with acne when I was 19, during my medical intern days. That was a time of lots of night shifts at the hospital and not-so-great eating habits.
I used to be really happy with my skin, but then things changed big time.
It all started with a few small pimples on my forehead and cheeks, but it didn’t stop there. Before I knew it, my face was full of acne.
This was totally new to me and really tough to handle.
This whole thing made talking to people really hard. I was so embarrassed, especially when I was around my boyfriend.
He was always sweet and never made me feel judged, but inside, I felt really bad about how I looked.
I knew I had to do something, so I started taking better care of myself.
I changed my diet, got into yoga, and tried to cut down on stress. It kind of helped, but my acne was still a big issue.
Then, I moved to the US, and that’s when things got even harder. The different weather and water here made my skin go crazy.
My acne wasn’t just about my skin anymore; it was affecting how I felt on the inside.
I started losing my confidence and would avoid making eye contact with people because I thought they were all looking at my acne.
I was determined to find a way out of this. I spent a lot of time researching skincare and trying to live healthier. It took about nine months, but I finally started to see some good changes.
Now, after six years, my skin is way better than before. I know I still have breakouts here and there, but it’s not a big deal at all. It’s just a small part of my life.
Having gone through all these experiences, I’ve learned so much, and it’s important for me to share this with you.
I understand deeply the struggle and how acne can impact your self-esteem. But I want to reassure you that you’re not alone in this journey.
I’ve been in your shoes, feeling how the presence of acne can overshadow your confidence. Yet, believe me when I say, it does get better.
I’m here to support you, offering a shoulder to lean on and advice to help guide you through your own path to healing and self-acceptance.
6 Ways to Boost Your Self-Esteem and Feel Confident Despite Acne
1. Avoid Spending Too Much Time in Front of the Mirror and Taking Excessive Selfies
Dealing with acne can be tough, but I found a little trick that really helped me. Try to spend less time looking in the mirror or taking lots of selfies.
I totally get it because I used to do the same thing. Every day, I’d take a bunch of pictures, hoping to see some improvement in my skin.
But let me tell you, most times, my acne was still there, just as obvious as before. And honestly, seeing it all the time didn’t help at all – it actually made me feel more down.
Checking your acne all the time won’t make it go away any faster, and it only adds to the stress. So, cutting down on mirror time and selfies can be a big relief.
It’s a small step, but it can make a huge difference. It gives you a break from constantly worrying about how your skin looks.
You don’t have to completely stop using mirrors or taking photos. It’s more about not letting these things become a daily habit that gets you down.
Give yourself a chance to focus on other things. You might be surprised how much better you feel when you’re not reminded of your acne all the time.
2. Limit Your Time on Social Media
I want to talk about something that really hits close to home for many of us – the impact of social media on our self-esteem, especially when we’re dealing with acne.
For me, scrolling through social media used to be the fastest way to feel down about myself.
Everywhere I looked, there were photos of people with absolutely flawless skin, and it did nothing but add to my stress.
I’d find myself caught in this endless loop of comparisons, asking why my skin was so different.
Questions like ‘Were they born with good genes? How come they can eat whatever they want and still have such clear skin?’ ran through my mind constantly. It was a whirlwind of stress and frustration.
One thing that I know about social media is that it often shows a polished, filtered version of reality.
Everyone seems to have perfect skin, perfect lives, and it’s easy to forget that it’s not always the whole truth. This constant exposure to ‘perfection’ can make anyone feel inadequate about their own skin, leading to a spiral of negative thoughts and self-doubt.
So, if you find yourself feeling worse after using social media, it might be time to take a step back. Try limiting how much time you spend scrolling through those feeds.
You can even try a digital detox by deleting social media apps for a while. This break can be incredibly refreshing. It’s an opportunity to disconnect from those unrealistic standards and focus on your own well-being.
During this social media break, you can find other ways to spend your time that uplift you. Maybe dive into a good book, start a new hobby, spend more time outdoors, or just enjoy some quiet time.
The key is to fill your time with activities that make you feel good about yourself, rather than those that fuel comparisons and self-doubt.
Related post: 18 Healthy Habits For The New Year That Will Jumpstart Your Wellness
3. Wear Some Makeup If It Really Makes You Feel Better
Let’s talk about makeup and acne. Yes, you read that right!
Wearing makeup during a bad breakout can actually be a good thing if it makes you feel more confident.
I’ve done this myself when I had to meet people.
After all, we need to engage with the real world out there, right? We can’t just hide away at home, waiting for our acne to disappear.
Makeup can be a real confidence booster. When you cover up those breakouts and pores, it can give you a sense of ease, knowing that your acne isn’t the first thing people see.
It’s not about hiding who you are, but rather about giving yourself that little extra boost of confidence when you need it.
Make sure you choose makeup that’s suitable for acne-prone skin. Go for non-comedogenic products, which means they won’t clog your pores.
And always, always make sure to thoroughly remove your makeup and cleanse your skin at the end of the day to maintain its health and reduce new breakouts.
It’s important not to overdo it or rely solely on makeup to cover your acne. Remember, makeup is just a temporary fix. It’s crucial to continue seeking effective ways to treat and manage your acne.
4. Accept Your Acne and Continue with Your Daily Life
When my face was covered with acne, it was tough to find the energy to do anything. It sounds a bit extreme, but all I wanted to do was scour the internet for ways to reduce my acne.
Despite having studies to focus on and a part-time job to attend to, I just didn’t feel like doing anything. It was like my confidence had taken a complete nosedive because of my skin issues.
But here’s what I learned: accepting your acne can be a game changer. It doesn’t mean giving up on treating it.
Instead, it means not letting acne control your life. When I started to accept my skin as it was, I slowly found the strength to focus on other aspects of my life again.
Yes, I still cared about finding acne treatments, but I also realized there was more to me than my skin condition. It’s about finding a balance.
You can still search for acne solutions and take care of your skin, but don’t let it be the only thing you focus on. Keep up with your studies, your job, and your hobbies. They are just as important for your well-being.
Accepting your acne doesn’t happen overnight, but it’s a crucial step towards regaining control over your life and not letting your skin define your happiness or your abilities.
Remember, acne is just a part of who you are; it doesn’t get to decide what you can or can’t do. So, accept it, but also keep doing what you need to do.
5. Understand You’re Not Alone and Acne is a Phase Most People Go Through
When I was deep into researching how to fix my acne, I noticed something pretty cool. Most of the advice and tips out there come from people who used to have acne themselves.
And now? Their skin looks amazing. All these folks with great skin now had been in the same boat as me at some point. They had acne, just like me, and they got through it.
This little nugget of truth was kind of a live-saver for me. It made me feel more relax about the whole acne thing.
I mean, if so many others have gone through this and come out the other side, why couldn’t I?
It’s super important to remember that acne is something a lot of people deal with, especially at certain times in their lives.
If you ever feel like you’re the only one struggling with acne, trust me, you’re NOT. You’re part of a huge crowd that knows exactly what you’re going through.
6. Focus on Building Great Personalities
Okay, so this might seem a bit off-track from dealing with acne stress, but hear me out – it’s actually super relevant.
I asked my close friends if my acne bothered them, and guess what? They didn’t care about it at all. What mattered to them was my personality and how I treated them as a friend.
And it was the same with my boyfriend. He told me that my acne never mattered to him; what he loved was me for who I am, my personality and all.
That was a bit of an eye-opener for me. I realized that all the acne worries were just temporary. Acne comes and goes, but what sticks around? Your personality. The way you interact with others, your kindness, your spirit – that’s what people remember and appreciate.
Think about it from your angle: What makes someone your friend? Is it their personality or whether their face has acne or not? Right, it’s about who they are, not how they look.
So, while you’re working through your acne, don’t forget to also work on being a wonderful person. Be kind, be a great friend, be someone people enjoy being around. If you’re nice and treat people well, they won’t give a second thought to whether or not you have acne. Your personality is what truly defines you.
Remember, you are more than your skin. It’s the person you are on the inside that truly matters and leaves a lasting impact.
Final Thoughts
Acne affects us in more ways than one, messing with our self-esteem and making us feel less sure of ourselves.
I’ve been right where you are, feeling super self-conscious and wondering if it’ll ever get better. But hey, we’re not alone in this.
There are loads of people with acne out there, all finding their own ways to stay confident and keep their chin up.
In my own story, hitting up a dermatologist and sticking to a care routine made a big difference. And let me tell you, having acne doesn’t make you any less awesome.
We’ve all got something unique about us that shines brighter than any breakout. So, remember, even though acne affects your skin, it doesn’t have to rule your life.
You’ve got this! Keep being you, and let your amazing self shine through, acne or no acne.
More About Personal Development Topic:
How To Deal With Peer Pressure As An Adult
13 Signs You’re A People Pleaser And How To Take Back Control
5 Reasons Why It’s Never Too Late To Change Your Life And Pursue Your Dreams
