Top 5 Tips for Cultivating Self-Love and Confidence with Acne

When I started breaking out earlier this year, I immediately spiralled down a rabbit hole of negative self-talk, shame, and low self-esteem. It is so hard to love yourself when you have acne. It is so hard to not solely focus on the negative. It becomes mentally consuming. Through this journey, I have found ways to cultivate self-love that I want to share with you.

1. List all of the things you love about yourself that are not physical attributes. Try to be as specific as possible, and at first, this may seem impossible! When I first did this exercise I struggled to compile more than 5 things that I love about myself but I added to the list each day. When you focus on the person you are and what you love about your character it becomes harder to hate your appearance.

2. When doing small moments of self-care, practice positive self-talk. For example, when you are washing your face at the end of the day. Be gentle and be mindful during this self-care practice. You are doing something positive for your skin and while you are practicing this moment of self-care, think about the positive things you accomplished that day. For example, did you spend time with a family member? Did you enjoy a great meal? Did you accomplish a task that you’ve been putting off for a while? Aligning self-care for your skin and moments of positive self-talk has improved my self-love and confidence. Practice as much self-care as you can to boost your confidence.

3. Channel your confidence in other ways that will make you FEEL good about yourself. For example, put together an outfit that makes you feel like YOU. Choosing clothes that represent your style is a great way to feel confident. If you are great at a certain skill, like a sport, play that sport more and partake in activities that reflect your personal skills.

4. UNFOLLOW people on social media that make you feel bad about yourself. We are constantly comparing ourselves to people on social media and if the people you follow are making you feel insecure, then you need to hit that unfollow button. Follow more accounts that show their real struggles and things you can relate to. You will find a more positive space online if you curate what you are seeing!

5. Don’t ISOLATE yourself. This one was really hard for me, especially when I am experiencing an active breakout. I do not want to be out in public, I do not want to be seen by friends or family. However, this can make you feel even more alone. Your friends and family will love you and want to spend time with you if you have clear skin or not. Leaning on your support system and being active in your social life will help your mental health. You do not want to miss out on amazing life moments because of your acne.