As someone who has had acne my whole teenage life, I’m tired.
I remember the first time I had a bad breakout. It was eighth grade, the night before my first speech and debate competition. I scrubbed my face for half an hour, and the next morning, I had a redder face with even more spots. This cycle continues for me, even today.
In high school, I couldn’t help but notice my peers who lost their puberty-era pimples during Covid, and their clean, “blank slate” skin that makeup went over seamlessly. I tried countless products, and nothing helped. Slowly but surely, my skin health consumed my whole life.
Waking up and seeing my acne in the mirror, I am forced to make a personal choice: Do I let it bring me down, or do I push past it? I force myself to do this daily, and some days, it’s harder than others.
Zits force teenagers and young adults to deal with difficult issues of self-esteem and hating their appearance. For me, I grew very comfortable during Covid-19 hiding inside without facing my fears—a pimply face being noticed by the world. “Acne can feel so distressing that you just want to hide your face from the world,” said The American Academy of Dermatology.
As a college student, it feels like I’m constantly rushing through life and neglecting my own well-being. When my mental health takes a hit, my skin’s health tends to follow suit. Right now, my skin is going through one of its worst phases, yet I don’t find myself as bothered by it. Why? Maybe it’s because I’m too focused on my studies, clubs, and social life to care. Maybe I’ve found other insecurities to focus on. But I think the most likely explanation is: no one cares.
College life is no joke when it comes to this mantra. I find myself walking around my dorm’s halls in Christmas PJs and smiley face slippers, and no one bats an eye. So why would anyone take more than a second glance at my skin or scrutinize my appearance in their head? The truth is, no one does. No one cares about the little things you’ve hated yourself for all these years. What a weight off your shoulders!
Living with severe acne is never easy. There are solutions, of course. Trust me, I would give anything to do away with it for good. However, college life is a wonderful time to shed your skin insecurities and embrace your skin for what it does well. It protects your muscles. It keeps you warm. It blushes when you receive a kind compliment. College doesn’t have to be a cycle of doubt and insecurity surrounding your skin. College is a time to embrace what makes your body, your mind, and your spirit, you.