My Skin, My Story: Living With Adult Acne and Reclaiming Confidence

My Skin, My Story: Living With Adult Acne and Reclaiming Confidence

By Steff Hughes

My Skin, My Story: Living With Adult Acne and Reclaiming Confidence

Roughly 85% of people experience acne at some point in their lives. It’s most often associated with teenagers and puberty — but adult acne is incredibly common, too. I started struggling with acne at around 20 and have been managing it ever since.

The Emotional Toll of Adult Acne

My acne has ranged from cystic breakouts to papules, affecting both my face and body. It knocked my self-confidence at a time when I was already uncomfortable with how I looked.

I’ll never forget one particularly painful moment. I popped out to grab some groceries and fuel. My skin was flaring up, but I hadn’t thought much of it — until the cashier gasped and said, “What happened to your face?”

I replied, “I suffer with acne flare-ups,” and left as quickly as possible. It was humiliating, and sadly, not an isolated incident. Acne isn’t just a skin condition — it can feel like a constant, visible battle with self-worth.

Finding Support and Solidarity Online

As a young adult, body image is often discussed in terms of shape and size — but what about skin? Or excess hair? Or visible conditions like acne?

Finding social media accounts and influencers who talked openly about these issues helped me feel less alone. Seeing people embrace their differences gave me permission to do the same.

Trial, Error, and Exhaustion

There’s no one-size-fits-all solution to acne. That was the hardest pill to swallow (and I’ve swallowed a lot of them — literally and figuratively).

I saw countless dermatologists and tried every skincare routine, cream, antibiotic, and serum they suggested. But nothing gave me lasting results. Worse still, many treatments came with unpleasant side effects — dry patches, headaches, inflamed skin… it felt like a never-ending cycle.

What Finally Helped My Skin

In recent years, I’ve simplified my skincare and started paying close attention to what I’m putting on my skin. That’s where Puremess came in.

I now use the Face Cream, Face Serum, and Nourishing Oil religiously. These products contain gentle, natural ingredients that soothe my skin rather than aggravate it. For the first time in years, I feel like I’m treating my skin with kindness instead of fighting it.

It’s worth noting that I also completed a course of Isotretinoin (Roaccutane), prescribed by my dermatologist for a separate issue. It contributed to clearing my acne — but I’ll be sticking with Puremess going forward to help maintain my results naturally and gently.

My Takeaway for Anyone Struggling With Acne

There’s no quick fix. There’s no miracle serum. But there is a way to feel more at peace with your skin.

Whether you’re managing active breakouts or recovering from years of trial and error, I encourage you to:

• Be gentle with your skin

• Choose ingredients that nourish, not punish

• Find brands and communities that care about what’s in their products (thank you, Puremess!)

• And most importantly, know that you are not alone

Want to explore gentle, natural skincare that supports sensitive skin like mine?
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