6 Ways Acne Empowered Me To Be More Confident Than Ever | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

6 Ways Years Of Acne Empowered Me To Be More Confident Than I Ever Thought I Could Be

Supplements, prescription creams, spot treatments: I've tried them all.

87
6 Ways Years Of Acne Empowered Me To Be More Confident Than I Ever Thought I Could Be

I definitely know how the appearance of one's skin can drastically change one's mood. I distinctly recall my middle school self waking up in the morning only to see that my acne-prone skin had grown red and irritated seemingly overnight.

My emotions about my skin were usually a mix of frustration and helplessness.

I felt that my adolescent skin was simply unlucky, that I had drawn the short end of the stick of my parent's combined genetic pool.

I first became interested in skincare when I visited the dermatologist in hopes of securing a panacea for all my epidermal concerns. I received a few prescription-grade products, like anti-bacterial supplements and a retinoid topical cream.

These products offered the hope that my life would no longer be affected by my skin woes, which, at the time were a source of anxiety during my awkward pre-teen and early teenage years. I used the products consistently for a while before seeing a small difference in my skin; a difference that was not significant enough to please me.

Thus, I embarked on my own skincare journey.

From that point forward, I placed the responsibility of my skincare not on a doctor but on my own research.

After testing all sorts of products, I realized a few things. A lot of skincare companies are dishonest and focus more on aesthetics, like packaging, feel-good phrases (i.e. "all-natural"), and empty promises (i.e. decrease your pore size).

As a consumer, I know firsthand how misleading messages can easily convince unsuspecting buyers to purchase one product over another.

Although the aforementioned sales tactics can be extremely convincing, here are some tips to help avoid marketing traps:

1. Look at the ingredients in a product before purchasing it.

Some ingredients, like fragrances, abrasive physical exfoliants, color, mineral oil, parabens, and phthalates can actually do more harm than good to your skin. They are also more commonly used in products than you may think.

2. Compare the volume of the product in relation to the packaging size.

Some skincare packaging can look a lot bigger online or on shelves, but the product itself can actually take up less than a third of the container it is housed in.

3. Consider your diet.

Yes, you may have heard that dairy products can exacerbate acne-prone skin, but so many other ingredients can be linked to your specific skin problems. For example, one of my concerns was fungal acne.

After I found out that Kombucha, one of my favorite drinks that I usually started my day with could be one the cause of my acne, I began to drink it a lot less frequently. And yes, my fungal acne definitely eased up.

4. Expensive brands do not always equate to higher quality products.

I am definitely guilty of purchasing products because of their prestige, or brand reputation. Some of these more expensive brands are worth the price tag, but many are not. Some of my favorite skincare brands can be found at your local Target or CVS. (CeraVe is my brand of choice.)

5. Chemical exfoliation is much better for you than physical exfoliation.

You've probably used a cleanser that has natural exfoliants like apricot seed or synthetic exfoliants like microbeads. Not only can these physical exfoliators damage your skin and spread bacteria across your face; some are really bad for the environment, specifically, synthetic exfoliators.

6. Do your research.

Today, more than ever, YOU have the power to figure out what works best for you. Look for reputable sources online, or even on social media. You don't always need to buy advice, so much is free on the internet!

Not only did identifying my own skin issues lead me to purchase skincare products that suited me, but I also became in control of what I use on my body. By being in control of my purchases and the brands I support, I have a part in taking power away from big corporations, whose primary goal is often to generate revenue through whatever means possible.

I feel empowered by not only the difference in my skin, but also the realization that I can use my own research to better myself.

Report this Content
Vivien Leigh
Revelist

I've lived a whole 21 years with an RBF (Resting Bitch Face), so naturally, I go through most of these struggles on a daily basis.

And before you ask, yes I'm fine. No, I'm not mad. This is just my face, so take it or leave it! To those of you who have been #blessed with an RBF, you'll probably relate to these more than you'd like to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Iconic Duos: Timeless Legends

From Luke and Leia to Beyonce's twins...

774588
Luke and Leia from Star Wars, a iconic duo
Lucasfilm

“Name a more iconic duo... I'll wait." OK, well, if you insist. In no particular order, here's a list of 100 iconic duos that seem to be timeless.

SEE MORE: This Is The ICONIC Disney Sidekick You Are To Your BFF, According To Your Zodiac Sign

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

A Candid Letter to My Best Friends Ex

Because this is the real form of torture you deserve.

671
middle finger
Photo by engin akyurt on Unsplash

What's up Asshat,

I've composed a list of things that I wish upon you, and they're harsh and cruel. These things are things that I wouldn't wish upon my worst of enemies, not even that Starbuck's barista who always screws up my order, not even him. You fall into a whole other category of hate. You surpass Starbucks barista. Congratulations, I'm actually a pretty nice person, making you worthy of every single bit of torture I wish upon you. What are these things I wish upon you you might ask?

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

College Life: As Told By Bob's Burgers

If there's anyone who understand the struggles of college, it's the Belcher family

1293
Bob's Burgers

College is a time of gaining independence, exploring new things, and copious amounts of Netflix. If you're like me, you often find yourself laughing at the sheer ridiculousness of the situations you find yourself in. Here are ten times Bob's Burgers accurately captured college life.

1. What you're pretty sure your upstairs neighbors do at 3am every morning.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Why Theater Kids Are the Greatest People Ever

Supportive and spontaneous human beings are the best.

979
Theater Kids

Throughout school, the theater department has always been my go-to place with go-to people when I need advice, a dance party, or just someone to listen to me vent.

You never know what's going to happen when you're dealing with theatre or what kind of characters you'll encounter. We have too much fun doing anything! One time in my senior year acting class, we spent an entire class period watching Bob's Burgers, and it was the greatest class period ever.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments