It can be tough to feel confident when struggling with acne. But as someone who has struggled with acne for over a decade, I’m here to tell you that it’s possible to overcome that shyness and embrace your unique beauty. In this blog post, I’ll share my tips on how to do just that, based on my experience and what I’ve found worked for me and my friends.
How Do You Feel Confident With Acne?
Shifting Your Focus: The Power of Gratitude and Pursuing Your Passions
Focusing on positive things that have nothing to do with your appearance can be a total game-changer when dealing with acne. It’s so easy to get caught up in negative thoughts and feelings about your skin, but that kind of negativity is not a vibe. Instead, try practicing gratitude by reflecting on the things in your life that you’re thankful for, journaling positive thoughts, spending time with your ride-or-die bestie, or reveling in the memory of that avocado toast you had for breakfast.
Once you look past a person’s face, what truly matters is their personality, their hobbies, and how they cultivate relationships with others. Your worth is not defined by your appearance, so focus more on activities that help your inner beauty shine.
Another way to focus on positive things is to cultivate hobbies and interests that make you happy. Whether it’s reading, painting, or playing a sport, find something that brings you joy and fulfillment. By engaging in activities that you enjoy, you’ll feel more confident and fulfilled, and you’ll be less likely to dwell on negative thoughts about your appearance.
Step Away From Social Media
Social media is like second nature to our generation, it might seem weird at first but I recommend you give it a try. It can be hard to accept your acne when you see pictures of people with “perfect” skin all around you. Acne is incredibly common and there is no shame in having it however, acne is not often seen on social media. When my acne was at its worst, I rarely agreed to photos, and barely posted anything on social media.
Taking a social media break can seriously do wonders for your confidence when dealing with acne. Let’s be real, representation matters, and we aren’t being represented because everyone seems to have perfect, filter-ready skin. Truth be told, most of those images are not even real. They’re airbrushed and edited to fit a certain ideal, and that’s just not realistic for most of us even if we know this, by browsing social media, our subconscious absorbs that most faces we see do not have acne, mainly ours.
Instead, use the time to focus on the things that really matter in life. Spend time with your family or your squad, pursue your passions, or just chill out and take care of yourself. Plus, social media can cause more stress than happiness, and we all know that stress can make acne worse. So, press pause on your next Instagram reel before you go on another social media binge. Reduce your stress levels, and give your skin a chance to breathe.
Establish A Skincare Routine
Establishing a skincare routine that works for you may be a bit of a journey, especially because your skin is unique to you. Watching skincare gurus online, visiting dermatologists, or testing skincare products all take time and effort but eventually, you will find out what works well for your skin.
What works for one person may not work for another, and it can take time to find the right combination of products and routine that will help manage your acne and improve the appearance of your skin. Understanding what makes your acne scars fade and how to prevent further breakouts is crucial.
Don’t get discouraged if your skin does not improve overnight because it can take weeks or even months for your skin to show improvement with a new skincare routine. Be patient, stay consistent with your routine, and remember to give yourself a little grace along the way.
As you experiment with different products and routines, pay attention to how your skin reacts. If a product causes irritation or makes your acne worse, try something else. You may also want to consider consulting with a dermatologist to get professional advice and recommendations for your specific skin concerns.
Use Makeup
Makeup can be a great way to boost your confidence when dealing with acne. However, it’s important to use it in a way that enhances your natural beauty, rather than just covering up your flaws. When used correctly, makeup can help you feel more put-together and confident, regardless of your skin concerns. Look for products that are labeled “non-comedogenic,” and take the time to find the right shade and type of product for your skin tone and type.
There is even makeup that uses ingredients that fight acne, so you can definitely use makeup whilst you have acne. Although many people say that you should wear less makeup to prevent acne, I found that it was easier mentally to find makeup that acne-prone skin can use rather than simply not using it.
Exercise to Boost Your Confidence and Reduce Stress
Our body is heavily influenced by hormones and when we exercise it helps to reduce stress and releases endorphins which are natural mood boosters that will help you think positively about yourself.
But perhaps why exercise makes the most sense for people with acne-prone skin is being able to take back control over your own body. Having acne can feel frustrating, you might not know what’s causing it or how to get rid of it right now, but when you exercise you take control of how your body is reacting. It improves your blood circulation, improves your physical condition, as well as your mental health.
As a bonus, exercise can help regulate hormone levels, which might be a contributing factor to your acne. There are so many benefits to exercising, that even I feel like jumping out of my seat right now.
Get Creative: Express Yourself and Boost Your Confidence
Creative expression can be a powerful way to boost your confidence and feel more comfortable in your own skin. Whether it’s painting, writing, or playing music, find a creative outlet that speaks to you and make time for it regularly. By expressing yourself creatively, you’ll feel more confident and fulfilled, and you’ll be less likely to dwell on negative thoughts about your appearance.
Remember, there are many steps you can take to feel confident and embrace your unique beauty, regardless of your acne. By accepting yourself, establishing a skincare routine, practicing self-care, surrounding yourself with supportive people, and incorporating these additional strategies into your routine, you can feel confident, happy, and fulfilled.
Surround Yourself With Positive People
Easier than it seems, whether it is a friend or family member, find someone you can talk to about your feelings, who is understanding and provides you positive encouragement. Even finding a community online with other people experiencing acne is a great way to boost your confidence. Knowing that there are others traversing a similar skincare journey or those who have more experience and can guide you will give you hope and positive vibes.
Conclusion
It’s also important to avoid comparing yourself to others, especially those who have flawless skin. Everyone’s skin is different, and just because someone else has clear skin doesn’t mean they are better or more attractive than you.
Remember that acne is a temporary condition, as long as you keep working to improve it and find what is causing it, it will improve over time. In the meantime, accept yourself and your skin for what it is, and know that you are beautiful and worthy of love and respect, regardless of your acne.
