I’ve made no secret of the fact that my skin and I have a bit of a complicated relationship. And by complicated, what I mean is that sometimes I really hate my skin and sometimes I’m totally indifferent towards it, but unless I have recently discovered a magical new foundation, I’d rarely say I love it.
Sure, now that I’m in my 30s I’ve pretty much worked out the skincare products that work for my skin—although pregnancy skincare was a whole new challenge—but my stubborn hormonal acne insists on hanging around like that friend who refuses to leave your house even when it’s 1 a.m. and you’ve started washing up the wineglasses. I get it—in 2021 when we’re all about embracing the skin we’re in, admitting that you just don’t love your complexion feels somewhat disempowering. But I’d hazard a guess that most people who deal with regular breakouts will feel the same.
“Acne affects nearly 80% of the population at some point during their lifetime,” explained Tijion Esho, MD, skin expert and founder of the ESHO clinic. “Most commonly, it begins during puberty, but it can be triggered by hormonal changes or even certain medications. The symptoms vary in severity but are usually characterised by comedones (blackheads and whiteheads) and pus-filled spots (pustules) that may cause scarring and significantly impact self-confidence.”
