Last Updated on September 7, 2024 by Angela Vaz
I’m writing this post because I have struggled with acne for 21+ years.
It genuinely pains me to look at my skin.
I sometimes cry whenever I pass by a mirror and look at it – I even avoid looking at mirrors.
Nobody (I repeat, nobody) understands the struggles of someone going through acne apart from people with acne.
It’s a continuous struggle.
If you’ve canceled socializing or stayed at home on days when your acne is severe, I feel you.
At times, your skin will heal – giving you a glimmer of hope and then you’ll break out again.
I know the feeling.
I’m attaching a raw photo of myself without makeup (post-workout) to show you I’m here with you feeling the same pain you feel.
I’m also going to link to a post on how I healed my acne from the inside out here, give it a read if you’re looking for tips.
In this post, I am going to showcase some quotes that actually made me feel better about my skin and myself.
I hope it helps you too.
This post contains affiliate links, meaning I may make a commission at no extra cost to you if you decide to click on a link and purchase something. Click here to read the full disclaimer.
1. “Skin is meant to be lived in, not perfect”
Our skin tells a story of our lives – through acne, scars, and other marks.
Expecting skin to be flawless all the time is unrealistic because living a full, dynamic life means our bodies (including our skin) will go through changes.
Acne is a normal part of living in your skin.
2. “Acne doesn’t make you any less beautiful or worthy.”
Acne is a surface condition that in no way affects the core of who you are as a person.
Beauty comes from within, from your kindness, intelligence, and spirit, and your worth is defined by your values and actions.
What matters is how you talk to people, how you behave in public, and how you treat others.
Acne is a fleeting physical condition, but it has no bearing on your inner beauty or inherent value.
I need you to understand that your worth isn’t dependent on your skin.
3. “Millions of people deal with acne; you’re not alone in this.”
When you look into the mirror and feel alone, I need you to remember that this is something millions of people worldwide suffer from.
We’re all here with you.
It doesn’t matter if you’re a teenager or an adult – it’s equally frustrating, I get that, but you’re not alone.
Acne happens whether your hormones are acting up or you’re taking stress – this is a universal struggle.
I hope it feels less overwhelming knowing that you’re not alone in this.
Take comfort, you’re not fighting this alone.
4. “Your acne does not diminish your beauty, it tells the story of your strength.”
Fighting acne isn’t something little.
Acne doesn’t take away from your beauty; it symbolizes your resilience and strength.
Instead of seeing it as something negative or a flaw, look at it as something your body is going through and how you’ve handled it.
Hormonal changes/health changes are causing your acne and it represents the fact that you’re enduring and overcoming these difficulties.
It’s your inner strength, self-confidence and how you carry yourself that truly defines your beauty.
It’s a personal story of your growth, perseverance, and acceptance.
5. “It’s okay to have days where your skin isn’t perfect.”
It’s important to be compassionate to yourself as well as others.
And by that I mean, give yourself a break.
Your skin just like any other part of your body goes through natural fluctuations. Some days it might be clearer, while other days you might experience more breakouts or redness.
Expecting your skin to be flawless every single day is unrealistic because it responds to so many factors like stress/hormones/environment/diet.
I get how much it sucks.
But embrace those “imperfect” days and understand that skin health is not linear.
Instead of being so hard on yourself, allow your skin to be what it is.
6. “Beauty is how you feel about yourself, not what others see in your skin.”
True beauty comes from self-confidence and self-acceptance, rather than how others perceive your physical appearance.
People will comment on your face, they’ll stare – accept it with grace.
(Easily said than done, I know)
But when you feel confident, content, and happy in your own skin, regardless of your skin, that inner sense of self-worth radiates outward and defines how beautiful you are.
What other people see on the surface (acne and blemishes) doesn’t truly capture your essence.
It’s the love you have for yourself and how good you feel about yourself that others will notice ore.
That inner glow and confidence is what is beautiful.
7. “Acne is just another chapter in the story of your life, not the whole book.”
It’s temporary.
It’s a small part of your life journey, not the defining feature of who you are.
It might be super overwhelming (I get that), but your life is so much more than your acne.
It includes your experiences, accomplishments, and qualities that go far beyond your skin.
When you look at your life as a whole, you’ll see that acne is just a small piece of the bigger picture, one filled with growth, love, achievements, and the many ways you shine.
8. “Your skin is doing its best, and so are you.”
Everybody has a check engine light.
For my partner, it’s his weight. He can eat a lettuce leaf and gain a pound. He wishes he had my metabolism.
I wish I had his skin.
Nobody is perfect, we all have our flaws.
But I need you to understand that your skin is doing its best to maintain balance and health.
Sometimes, unfortunately, that results in breakouts – it doesn’t mean it’s failing, it’s just adjusting, it’s also trying to tell you something is wrong.
So be patient and treat it with kindness.
9. “Having acne is as normal as having freckles or scars.”
Just like freckles, scars, or birthmarks, acne is another natural feature of human skin.
It’s a part of the diversity that makes everyone unique.
Rather than feeling the need to cover it up or feel ashamed, acne can be accepted in the same way we embrace other skin features that make us who we are.
10. “Let’s normalize acne the way we normalize wearing glasses.”
Much like how wearing glasses is widely accepted and seen as a normal aspect of appearance, acne should be treated the same way – don’t you feel?
There’s no need to hide or feel embarrassed by acne because it’s simply a normal occurrence, just like needing corrective lenses.
Maybe, if we normalize it, we can actually reduce the stigma and make people feel comfortable in their skin.
11. “Acne is a small part of your skin’s journey, not the destination.”
I need you to remember this whenever you look at your skin in the mirror.
Acne is just one stage in the long journey of your skin’s life.
Skin is constantly changing, growing, and evolving, and breakouts are just a temporary phase.
12. “You don’t need perfect skin to have a perfect life.”
I’ve seen people with clear skin (one of my best friends) be miserable about something else altogether.
Happiness, fulfillment, and success in life is not dependent on having flawless skin.
Yes, society places a lot of value on physical appearance, but true happiness comes from experiences, relationships, personal growth and inner contentment – not from the state of your skin.
You have a “perfect” life filled with love, joy, and confidence without having perfect skin.
13. “You don’t have to hide your acne to be confident.”
Confidence doesn’t come from having flawless skin—it comes from how you feel about yourself.
You don’t need to cover up or conceal your acne to feel good in your own skin.
If you want to, that’s fine.
But if you choose to go makeup-free, that’s okay too.
Believe that.
Embracing your imperfections and showing your true self, acne and all, can actually make you more confident and authentic.
14. “Everyone experiences skin issues at some point—it’s just skin doing its thing.”
Skin issues, whether it’s acne, dryness, or sensitivity, are part of the normal functioning of skin.
Just like any other organ in the body, skin reacts to various internal and external factors, and breakouts are simply a part of that process.
Everyone experiences it, so there’s no need to feel embarrassed.
This is why it’s so important to normalize it – so that we can make it a mundane, everyday affair – which it actually is.
15. “Your beauty shines through your smile, not your skin.”
Your smile and the joy you radiate are far more important than the appearance of your skin.
A genuine smile can convey kindness, happiness, and confidence, which are far more compelling and attractive than mere physical appearance.
While clear skin may be seen as an ideal in some circles, it’s your authentic expression, your joy, and your ability to connect with others that truly define your beauty.
16. “The best foundation you can wear is glowing confidence.”
Your confidence is the most powerful and attractive quality you can have and that surpasses any cosmetic product.
When you carry yourself with confidence, you protect self-assuredness and inner strength which enhances your overall presence and attractiveness.
How you interact with people, and how you handle life’s challenges – this is what makes you more approachable, engaging, and dynamic.
Unlike makeup which is temporary and superficial, confidence is something that comes from within.
Remember that. =)
17. “You’re still breathtaking, even on your worst skin day.”
If nobody told you this today, then you got to hear it from me today.
I am rarely wrong. 😉
18. “Even with acne, your beauty is undeniable.”
And I mean that.
19. “It’s okay to have acne; it’s more common than clear skin.”
Many people, especially during adolescence or times of hormonal change deal with acne at some point in their lives.
Clear skin is often idealized in media and advertising but the truth is, a lot of people use filters to hide the truth.
So many celebrities suffer from acne and if you see raw photos of them, you’ll realize that it’s quite rare to have glass skin that’s super smooth without imperfections.
We all have pores, redness, wrinkles, fine lines, and acne – it’s just something that people don’t advertise.
Remember, acne is nothing to be ashamed of, it’s just part of what many people experience and manage throughout their lives.
20. “You’re beautiful, flaws and all.”
Your flaws – physical, emotional, or personal; do not diminish your overall beauty or worth.
Instead, they are part of what makes you uniquely you.
So, accept it and love yourself.
Embrace your flaws.
Shift the focus from striving for unattainable perfection to appreciating and celebrating your authentic self, recognizing you are beautiful just the way you are.
21. “Your skin has a remarkable ability to heal; trust in its natural process.”
Your skin has the incredible capacity to repair and rejuvenate itself over time.
Your skin is an organ with its own complex and effective healing mechanisms.
Skin cells regenerate, inflammation decreases and your skin will improve over time.
But you need to trust in that ability while you’re doing everything you can from your end to improve that.
I’ve written a post here to help you clear your skin but by understanding and trusting your skin, you can reduce anxiety about its appearance and promote a more positive and supportive approach to skincare.
Conclusion
I highly recommend following Maia Gray on Instagram – she always makes me feel so beautiful, and I genuinely smile every time I feel low due to my acne.
She is a gem.
And we need more people like her.
Here are a few more posts you may find helpful:
- How I cleared my skin in 10 weeks and got rid of my adult acne
- How to be enough for yourself
- How to give yourself grace when you feel low
- 7 tiny habits to get glowing skin
- How to make friends in your 30s – what I did
- 7 micro habits of women who are beautiful
- How to glow up naturally after a painful breakup
