Almost everyone gets pimples... And sometimes even the occasional breakout. When you're fourteen, this is 100% normal. When you're sixteen, guess what? It's still normal. But what about when you get a little older, when you need to be taken seriously, but your face is constantly covered with zits?
Not so normal.
I always got pimples when I was younger, but once my senior year of high school came around my skin began to calm down. My skin was pretty good up until this past summer; all of a sudden I began to get constant breakouts all over my chin and forehead. Not only was I annoyed, but I was also confused. Why was I randomly getting such bad breakouts at age 20? It wasn't due to any medications I was taking, there was no major change in my diet... I was at a loss.
I was also extremely upset. Yes, I know there are worse things in life than pimples, but my acne still made me want to hide from the world-- just like when I was younger.
After awhile, I was sick of always having to put makeup on before I left the house. I'm not a big makeup person in general, but since I had acne I felt like if I went out without makeup on everyone would find me disgusting. Meanwhile, the makeup was most likely just making my breakouts even worse.
I finally decided that I was being silly. I realized that making my skin healthier was more important than making sure those around me didn't notice my acne. I ditched the makeup, for the most part, and learned how to accept that fact that I had acne, and if it bothered others then that wasn't my problem. This is something I wasn't able to do as a young teen. Same acne, different me.
I'm now comfortable going out in public without any makeup on, acne and all. Yeah, I have acne, but I'm still confident. This doesn't mean that I enjoy my breakouts... It just means I've learned to deal with it and do what's best for me and my skin.
I've recently seen a dermatologist and hopefully, the prescription I'm using begins to kick in soon. But until then, I'm fine with rocking my zits for the world to see.
For those who also deal with acne on a regular basis, all I have to say is that you must accept your skin and deal with it in healthy ways. Popping your zits and piling on mountains of concealer isn't going to help anything. Let your skin breath and figure out what treatments work best for you.
Do not sacrifice eliminating your acne just so those around you don't have to see it.
Be proud of your face, it's the only one you have.
