The Reality of a Skin Journey

Our skin is the first thing people see when they meet us, its the first impression; but its also the first thing we look at in the mirror every single morning. The health and condition of our skin has a profound effect on our own self-esteem and our self-confidence around others. For those who are insecure about their skin, taking that first step to starting there skin journey, can be the hardest step to take. So today, I want to discuss the realities of a skin journey, and what that can feel like - from someone who has suffered with cystic, hormonal acne first-hand.

My Own Journey

As a skin specialist, I treat hundreds of clients within my clinic who are experiencing various skin concerns and skin issues, and I often like to share my story with them, to empathise with how they are feeling. So here I share it for you...
I am lucky that, throughout my teen years and early-twenties, I had always had lovely, balanced skin and hadn't ever suffered with breakouts/acne. I had been on hormonal contraception since school years to help with the heavy periods I experienced from the get-go of puberty (which I now understand was a hormonal imbalance). At the age of 24, me and my partner (now, husband) decided we would like to start a family and therefore I made the decision to come off hormonal contraception. Around 6 months later, I began to experience painful, cystic nodules (breakouts) along my jawline and chin area. It kind-of came from nowhere really, but it was growing at a rapid rate. It wasn't until I was chatting with a midwife-colleague who said "Don't you think its just your contraception flushing out of your system?" - and although this isn't an evidence-based, scientific sentence... it completely resonated with me like an instant 'lightbulb' moment. 
Prior to this conversation, I hadn't really considered withdrawal symptoms from contraception, I just thought I was experiencing adult acne, and at this time, I had no knowledge about skin health or skin care at all, I was a full-time midwife in the NHS and dermatology was not my forte. But my outbreak of acne led me down a path of learning more about skin and understanding how it works. After all, it is the largest organ in the body and yet most of us don't understand its role or how we should care for it... waste of years in school if you ask me!
The acne was continuing to spread along my jawline and up my cheeks; fast forward many GP appointments, steroid creams, and acne face washes (none of which worked for me), I began researching more about post-contraception acne, and how our hormones play a huge role in the formation and development of acne. Poor Google, I think it was sick of me at this point!
My acne improved after starting hormone-balancing supplements and getting into a better skincare routine, and we found ourselves pregnant with our first baby! During pregnancy, my skin was the BEST it had been in years and I felt like mother earth, with that natural pregnancy glow. But soon after the birth of my baby girl, low and behold, the spots came back!

Lesson No.1 of Acne - it can never be cured, but only controlled

I would love to tell you that there was a magic potion or cream that stopped my acne, but there just wasn't. I continue on my skin journey to this day, but I am absolutely more in control of my skin that I ever have before. I truly know what products work for my skin, and which ones don't. And most importantly, I know exactly what triggers my acne flare-ups.

My own skin journey led me to completing my training as a Skincare Specialist in 2021, and I now treat clients with acne and other conditions, every single day in my clinic. I am so proud to say we have helped HUNDREDS of men AND women control their skin conditions, whether that be acne, or psorasis, or rosacea. I first-hand get to see the growth in my clients confidence when they reach their skin goals, such as: going to the shop with no makeup on for the first time in years, or feeling more confident when they go into the office to see their colleagues.

If you are feeling stuck with your skin, or yet to start your journey...

I have been where you are.
I have caked myself in thick-coverage foundation.
I have had comments from people/*colleagues* in public.
I have worn face masks so that people didn't have to see it.

But I see you
And I feel you
And you are not alone.

Whether you have acne, rosacea, concerns of ageing, psorasis, eczema... skin conditions can effect your self worth, your relationships, your intimate life, social situations, and your work life. Starting your skin journey may feel like the most overwhelming and scary process, but my advice to you is... find someone you trust and just start. Start working on achieving happier, healthier skin. Because if not now, then when? Set your skin goal, make it realistic! If your first goal is to find a cleanser that works for you, make that your first priority. Then set your next goal to figure out what your trigger is. Remember to make realistic expectations when it comes to your skin journey - there are no quick fixes, and certainly no overnight success stories when it comes to skin (this would make my job so much easier if there was!). 

You want to start your skin journey...

One Day or Day One?

Lots of love, G xx