I used to believe beauty meant having glass skin or a face free from pimples.
Everyone on social media seemed to ignore girls with acne. They saw us as not pretty enough or as people who didn't take care of their skin.
Social media made me believe the only way to be beautiful was to have smooth skin like their favorite celebrities.
Then I came across a celebrity who shared her skin journey—and her story was very similar to mine.
It completely changed my mindset. If no one had heard her story, they would have assumed she was born with perfect skin. Her face looked so flawless, you'd never guess she once struggled with acne.
After that moment, if you asked me what beauty means, I'd say it's about confidence and self-love.
You can be battling severe acne and still be beautiful. Beauty is about how you carry yourself. You need to love yourself first in order to see how beautiful you truly are.
I'm still following the skincare routine my dermatologist gave me. I try to exercise regularly and stay hydrated.
One day, I looked in the mirror and smiled—thinking back to how I once let society's standards define my worth.
Now, I confidently step out without makeup. I take pictures often and even post them online to show my journey of healing and self-discovery.
I accept compliments more openly now, and I give them out too—especially to girls like me. A simple compliment can really boost someone's courage, so I always try to speak kind words.
During this journey, I discovered new hobbies and talents. I found out I love taking pictures—and I'm actually good at it.
I also discovered my love for fashion and dressing up.
This self-discovery taught me a valuable truth:
*"Healing is a gradual process—it doesn't happen overnight."*