I know how you feel. I suffer from very low confidence / low self esteem / depression / anxiety from my acne as well. My acne isn't severe either, I would say it's moderate, but it has affected my mental health severely. I know how it feels to try to do everything right for your skin and constantly search for solutions just to find no improvement. I have access to counseling services, as well as free health care since I am Canadian, and have seen psychiatrists about the psychologial distress as well but none of which has helped. I push myself to go to school and to go to my appointments. The psychological effects of acne really took a toll on me over the past year especially, it's to the point now where I will not go to the store or anywhere outside of my home unless I absolutely have to. I ended my relationship because my skin is getting worse and he's never seen it but I guess as a tactic to avoid rejection or just the experience of knowing that he will eventually notice or see my face without makeup. He loves me, and I love him but I feel like he doesn't really know me for who I really am. He doesn't know what my face really looks like. Whenever he complimented me, I never felt I could accept it. Everyone I know has clear skin as well, and I'm the only one in my class who has acne. It has made me completely shut down emotionally. I hope you never get to this point. I hope you are able to find a solution that will clear your skin and your self esteem issues are resolved even if your skin isn't perfect. You're far from the only one going through this. I feel your pain and I know exactly how hard it can be. I'm so sorry that you struggle with it and I hope it all works out for you.

There is a girl named Sara K on YouTube. She has acne, and she does makeup tutorials but she also has a video that talks about how to have confidence with acne. Her confidence is inspiring and she is such a real individual. I'll see if I can link one of her videos. Hopefully this link works.

4 hours ago, steph93rc said:

I know how you feel. I suffer from very low confidence / low self esteem / depression / anxiety from my acne as well. My acne isn't severe either, I would say it's moderate, but it has affected my mental health severely. I know how it feels to try to do everything right for your skin and constantly search for solutions just to find no improvement. I have access to counseling services, as well as free health care since I am Canadian, and have seen psychiatrists about the psychologial distress as well but none of which has helped. I push myself to go to school and to go to my appointments. The psychological effects of acne really took a toll on me over the past year especially, it's to the point now where I will not go to the store or anywhere outside of my home unless I absolutely have to. I ended my relationship because my skin is getting worse and he's never seen it but I guess as a tactic to avoid rejection or just the experience of knowing that he will eventually notice or see my face without makeup. He loves me, and I love him but I feel like he doesn't really know me for who I really am. He doesn't know what my face really looks like. Whenever he complimented me, I never felt I could accept it. Everyone I know has clear skin as well, and I'm the only one in my class who has acne. It has made me completely shut down emotionally. I hope you never get to this point. I hope you are able to find a solution that will clear your skin and your self esteem issues are resolved even if your skin isn't perfect. You're far from the only one going through this. I feel your pain and I know exactly how hard it can be. I'm so sorry that you struggle with it and I hope it all works out for you.

There is a girl named Sara K on YouTube. She has acne, and she does makeup tutorials but she also has a video that talks about how to have confidence with acne. Her confidence is inspiring and she is such a real individual. I'll see if I can link one of her videos. Hopefully this link works.

I was inspired by Sara K as well. This was the first video of hers that I ever watched. It changed me. I was so shamed of my blemished skin, but her words made me reconsider my worth and the legitimacy of other people judging me for my physical flaws. I still am very self-conscious about my skin, but I try hard to keep in mind that everybody is flawed, and no physical flaw can mask how good a person is.

19 hours ago, steph93rc said:

I know how you feel. I suffer from very low confidence / low self esteem / depression / anxiety from my acne as well. My acne isn't severe either, I would say it's moderate, but it has affected my mental health severely. I know how it feels to try to do everything right for your skin and constantly search for solutions just to find no improvement. I have access to counseling services, as well as free health care since I am Canadian, and have seen psychiatrists about the psychologial distress as well but none of which has helped. I push myself to go to school and to go to my appointments. The psychological effects of acne really took a toll on me over the past year especially, it's to the point now where I will not go to the store or anywhere outside of my home unless I absolutely have to. I ended my relationship because my skin is getting worse and he's never seen it but I guess as a tactic to avoid rejection or just the experience of knowing that he will eventually notice or see my face without makeup. He loves me, and I love him but I feel like he doesn't really know me for who I really am. He doesn't know what my face really looks like. Whenever he complimented me, I never felt I could accept it. Everyone I know has clear skin as well, and I'm the only one in my class who has acne. It has made me completely shut down emotionally. I hope you never get to this point. I hope you are able to find a solution that will clear your skin and your self esteem issues are resolved even if your skin isn't perfect. You're far from the only one going through this. I feel your pain and I know exactly how hard it can be. I'm so sorry that you struggle with it and I hope it all works out for you.

There is a girl named Sara K on YouTube. She has acne, and she does makeup tutorials but she also has a video that talks about how to have confidence with acne. Her confidence is inspiring and she is such a real individual. I'll see if I can link one of her videos. Hopefully this link works.

I actually follow her already. Thank you so much for replying. When someone compliments me , I can never accept the compliment. There are days when I hate to look at myself in the mirror. I know I should be grateful for not having severe cystic acne, but I wonder if my acne will ever go away. I dream of waking up not so early to put on makeup for school. I would rather use makeup than be judged though. I have moderate hormonal acne. I just want clear skin and to love myself. I wish I could relate to Sara k and say she has helped me, but she is gorgeous. She had beautiful eyes, cheekbones, and seems to really know how to love herself. I am still in the process to love myself and it's not really working.

I know hun, it's a really difficult thing to deal with. I can relate to you on every level. Some people find their hormonal acne clears up with the use of birth control. I made the mistake of getting an iud which I later found out is known to make acne worse. I'm looking forward to having it removed and then trying birth control pills to see if it will help. I've heard some people had success with Tri-cyclen, Diane 35, and Yasmin. Although everybody is different, so for every good review there's ten more saying "it was the worst thing ever." It's difficult to navigate in the search for a solution for acne. I really wish you the best and hope things get better for you. I don't know you personally but if you need somebody to talk to who understands your struggles, I'm here for you.

On December 23, 2016 at 1:04 PM, Shelby3 said:

On December 22, 2016 at 5:12 PM, steph93rc said:

I know how you feel. I suffer from very low confidence / low self esteem / depression / anxiety from my acne as well. My acne isn't severe either, I would say it's moderate, but it has affected my mental health severely. I know how it feels to try to do everything right for your skin and constantly search for solutions just to find no improvement. I have access to counseling services, as well as free health care since I am Canadian, and have seen psychiatrists about the psychologial distress as well but none of which has helped. I push myself to go to school and to go to my appointments. The psychological effects of acne really took a toll on me over the past year especially, it's to the point now where I will not go to the store or anywhere outside of my home unless I absolutely have to. I ended my relationship because my skin is getting worse and he's never seen it but I guess as a tactic to avoid rejection or just the experience of knowing that he will eventually notice or see my face without makeup. He loves me, and I love him but I feel like he doesn't really know me for who I really am. He doesn't know what my face really looks like. Whenever he complimented me, I never felt I could accept it. Everyone I know has clear skin as well, and I'm the only one in my class who has acne. It has made me completely shut down emotionally. I hope you never get to this point. I hope you are able to find a solution that will clear your skin and your self esteem issues are resolved even if your skin isn't perfect. You're far from the only one going through this. I feel your pain and I know exactly how hard it can be. I'm so sorry that you struggle with it and I hope it all works out for you.

There is a girl named Sara K on YouTube. She has acne, and she does makeup tutorials but she also has a video that talks about how to have confidence with acne. Her confidence is inspiring and she is such a real individual. I'll see if I can link one of her videos. Hopefully this link works.

I actually follow her already. Thank you so much for replying. When someone compliments me , I can never accept the compliment. There are days when I hate to look at myself in the mirror. I know I should be grateful for not having severe cystic acne, but I wonder if my acne will ever go away. I dream of waking up not so early to put on makeup for school. I would rather use makeup than be judged though. I have moderate hormonal acne. I just want clear skin and to love myself. I wish I could relate to Sara k and say she has helped me, but she is gorgeous. She had beautiful eyes, cheekbones, and seems to really know how to love herself. I am still in the process to love myself and it's not really working.

Reading your story has touched my heart. While reading I saw so many similarities Between you & I. I was once right where you are with my acne battle. I'm here to inform you that IT GETS BETTER! However, changing your attitude And finding a slight amount of confidence will push you forward. The exact minute that I decided get out of my funk EVERYTHING CHANGED! IT starts with you. Please don't rest in that insecure state-find beauty in your flaws. Lastly, know that you are not alone-we all struggle on a daily like yourself. For instance, look at all the love support that surrounds you. PLEAse check my acne story on my blog/YouTube. I Hope my story gives you strength to find your inner love! LETS stay connected- I'm rooting for you.