Shock, fear, and panic are just a few words to describe the feeling of seeing a pimple on your face for the first time. Suddenly you’re asking yourself, “What will my friends think?” and “How do I get rid of this?” With all the melodramatic things we deal with in middle school, acne is the last thing we want. Unfortunately, a lot of us face this harsh reality, some more than others. Innocently trying to get rid of a blemish is often the first experience in caring for our skin.
That first act of skincare marks the beginning of a beautiful journey that those of us who struggle with our skin venture off into. For myself, it was a thrilling introduction to a world of self-care, confidence, and, of course, better skin.
The Ignorance of Innocence:
When I first started getting acne, I had absolutely no idea how to deal with it. For the first few years of my acne journey, I was doing all the wrong things like popping pimples, picking at scars, and not washing my face enough. I was very lost and didn't have many sources to receive help at the time. This lack of knowledge damaged my skin at a very early age and took a large toll on my confidence (if I even had any at 13 years old). At this age, we become more self aware the older we get. Operating through life as a preteen, let alone one who was struggling with acne, was a struggle to say the least. Eventually, I took matters into my own hands.
How I healed my skin & What I learned:
Luckily, I had friends who would recommend different products and even let me try what worked for them. However, it wasn’t until I decided to use the internet to my benefit. The internet was such an escape from reality that I forgot how much information was available on it. I remember reading countless Yahoo Answers and watching multiple “nighttime skincare routines” on YouTube. It seemed simple: cleanse, exfoliate, and moisturize. Yet at this time on the internet, skincare information was scarce. The idea of a “skincare influencer” was very new in 2015 and much of the skincare advice online wasn’t backed by research or professionals. Even so, a 15-year-old like myself didn’t know any better.
With what I found online, I ran to my local pharmacy and bought the top shelf cleanser, exfoliator, and moisturizer. I religiously followed this routine morning and night. At first, it worked, but 3 months down the line, I started noticing redness, scarring, and even worse acne. In an effort to fix this, I bought different brands. The issue with skincare at this time was that no one really knew things like heavy oils, physical exfoliators, and harsh active ingredients could irritate the skin easily. Some products weren’t meant for all skin types. I even had a phase in my life where I would make my own face masks and scrubs. Although they didn’t do much, it kept me away from the drugstore skincare that was damaging my teenager skin.
Throughout this time, I would gain skincare knowledge through social media as it often came up on my Instagram. It wasn’t until a friend of mine introduced me to Korean skincare, which was way more advanced than what was available in the United States in 2017. As I got older, I was able to meet people that had skincare experience and explore new skincare brands that were suitable for my sensitive skin. I remember actually learning about skin types through articles and Youtubers as skincare grew in popularity. Determining my skin type helped me find the right products and in doing so, I gained back the confidence I had once lost.
I was very prone to acne as a teenager so I learned what specific habits I needed to start and stop in order to maintain a clear complexion. Habits such as avoiding the sun, eating healthier, and letting acne run its course were just a few of the practices that helped me. I learned about luxury and drugstore products and what ingredients to look for. Products such as gentle cleansers and non-comedogenic moisturizers that contained salicylic acid, hyaluronic acid, or niacinamide helped me prevent irritation, breakouts, and smooth my texture. With all this new information, I felt like a kid in a candy shop. Skincare truly became a whole new world that I got lost in and haven’t come back since.
Where my skin is at today:
Today, at the insightful age of 21, I can confidently say I’ve addressed most of my skin’s issues that I’ve dealt with for years. Skincare became such a huge part of my life that I am now able to study it and work in the field! From what started as treating acne to avoid external judgment turned into a journey of self-discovery and finding internal validation. I am much more aware of how I interact with my skin and the habits I practice to maintain it. Falling in love with skincare has expanded into other areas of my life such as body and hair care. It has become such a passion and any friend of mine can tell you how excited I get about new products. So excited that I become a salesperson with how in-depth I get.
Currently, I am trying my best to prevent premature aging and further physical scarring in my 20’s. My teenage years have left me with marks that I’ve improved through microneedling and retinol-based products. With that said, I try my best to slow down the aging process through the use of sunscreen, collagen creams, and nutritional intake. Most days, I follow a very minimal skincare routine consisting of a gentle cleanser, serum, moisturizer, and sunscreen. With most of my skin problems under control, I have the luxury of using brands just for enjoyment. Working with Yardè Skincare aligns seamlessly with my own personal values and where I’m at in my skincare journey. Skincare doesn’t always have to be about the active benefits, but also how it makes you feel within. Luxury skincare is invariably a blissful experience and with Yardè, I’m able to use products that contain clean, effective ingredients while also delivering a classy experience each time I apply a product.
Finally:
To anyone reading, whether you have 20 years of skincare experience or you’re just starting out, always remind yourself that your skincare is more than just a routine. It’s your time to reflect, wind down, and to only focus on you. Always appreciate the journey, the wisdom, and the steps it takes to get you to your skin goals. As much as we all crave immediate results, there is great power in being able to say, “I’m doing this for me.”