Bobby
This is another guest post by Bobby Thomas, who shares everything that works for him in his goal towards clear skin over at Addicted Skin Care. He also hosts a new healthy habits challenge each month which you can join here.
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Yes I said it, there is a good side to having acne!
This is especially true if you took the decision to go down the natural route to clearing it (or are thinking about doing so), which I am assuming you have if you read The Love Vitamin.
If you are now thinking “Bobby, there is no good side to having acne dude…trust me,” then I bet by the end of this I can convince you that having acne really can be a good thing for you long term.
But first…
Let’s Have A Blast Back To The Past
I’m assuming here that before you had acne, like me, you really did not look after your health or body too well.
Your diet would have consisted mostly of takeaways and fried foods. Your skincare routine would have been a flannel with soap and that’s it. You would have happily drunk alcohol every weekend. In fact, you would have made it your mission to be the last one standing out of your friends!
You would have applied anything onto your skin without giving it a second thought. Your exercise routine would have consisted of lifting the TV remote every 30 minutes or so to change the channel… and it goes on….
Whether that resonates with you or not, it definitely does with me, and a few others I know.
Fast Forward
When acne struck, after using the traditional western methods that did not work for me, I decided to go down the holistic route.
For the first time EVER, I was conscious of what I was doing to my health. No longer was it acceptable for me to damage my health by the decisions I was making back then, that I knew long term would most likely have consequences.
When the light bulb moment came, I started to slowly make changes.
Change 1 – Diet
One of the first things I knew I had to change was my diet. My diet was even worse than the typical person’s diet.
I slowly started to take foods out that I knew had a high risk of being the possible cause of my acne, or at least making it worse.
These foods included dairy, wheat, and greasy foods. At first it was difficult without these things that had been a staple in my diet for a long time, however as time passed it got easier and easier.
Once you see an improvement in your skin after taking certain foods out, you can then begin to add foods back in, and if your skin then starts to break out again after you add something back in, you simply remove It.
Over all, my diet – while not yet being where I want it to be – is much healthier than it was before I had acne, which can only be a positive thing.
Change 2 – Skin Care Routine
Using some $0.99 soap and a flannel that everyone else was using was no longer even something I would consider, where as before it was normal and I wouldn’t have even thought twice about it.
That’s not me trying to be a snob, but realizing that I had to take proper care of my skin if I wanted to see results.
My new skin care routine used natural products that where much more beneficial for my skin. Even better than that was the fact that they worked 100x times better than any OTC product I had ever used.
If it wasn’t for having acne, I can guarantee you I would still have been using the same old products that were damaging my skin rather than improving it.
Change 3 – Exercise
A huge step for anyone is committing to some kind of exercise. It doesn’t have to be a strict regime that you must carry out every day no matter what – in fact, that can potentially have negative effects.
Instead, what I did was find a hobby that was really active. I live in the United Kingdom, so I decided to start playing cricket.
I did not join a team or anything because that’s not my thing, instead I just went over to the park to play it with my mates.
If it was not for having acne, it is definitely debatable as to whether I would have found a hobby that was not only fun, but kept me fit and healthy as well.
Change 4 – Stress
Getting totally away from stress is impossible. As human beings we stress about everything. If our hair doesn’t go right we stress, if we have an important date coming up we stress, if you can’t find matching socks we stress – you get the picture.
While getting totally away from stress may not be possible, acne definitely helped me realize how important it was to reduce stress.
After doing a lot of research I found two sure-fire ways to help with stress. I bet you can guess what they are?
Yoga and meditation. Did you guess right?
These two things together can be a really powerful stress buster. If you think stress is causing your acne I highly recommend you try them out.
Again, I have acne to thank for helping me realize how important it is to reduce stress. If I did not have acne, would I have made the decision to look for solutions?
Change 5 – Outlook
The last, and possibly the biggest thing I have acne to thank for is how my outlook on life has changed.
Being the last one standing on a night out is no longer important to me, being the first one to finish a massive meal is no longer what I worry about, trying to be the one who does the stupidest things to look cool in order to fit in is no longer at the forefront of my mind.
Instead, I only worry about the things that really are important, such as if my family and friends are happy, what I can do today that will make someone feel good about themselves etc. These are the things that are now much more important to me.
And as I have already said many times, I have acne to thank for that…so acne…thank you! Just don’t come back any time soon, ha.
Did I convince you that in the long run, having acne really can be a good thing? Was it a nice change reading something positive in a world full of negativity? I look forward to your responses in the comment section below.
I was thinking the exact same thing yesterday! If I didn’t have any skin problems, then what would my life be like now? Throughout the journey, this blog and the lifestyle choices I have made to clear up my skin have stayed with me in EVERYTHING I do, such as choosing the positioning of my bedroom furniture (desk now next to a window, bed no longer in the “death position” – feung shui, the colour of the wallpaper,) the way I present myself and my work.
I look at my homelike and how radically different my diet and general lifestyle is from my brothers (including a twin!), parents and even fellow students (I do live at home though), all this was made ‘possible’ due to acne. In all honesty, acne has actually shaped my life – I’d be completely lost if it wasn’t for acne. (wow that seems quite drastic but thinking about it, I realise just how true it is)
The part entitled ‘Outlook’ really resonates with me. I use to be so worried about what other people think about me, especially during my first year at uni, where, living away from campus and choosing not to drink (which is actually the only way to socialise with most students), but now I really don’t care about those things. Life you said, its the things which really matter that help ground yourself and to me, allow oneself to be true and honest, whether it is to do with work, studies or family.
Thanks for a great post!
Hey Nathan
Appreciate you taking the time to leave such a long comment.
It really is crazy how much things change for the better when someone goes through acne and decides to go the natural route to clear it.
I know what you mean about friends and family man, I am totally different to all of them now with diet etc.
Thanks again Nathan hope we can stay in touch.
Bobby
Thanks, Bobby…I appreciate this perspective. I read a similar guest post @ High on Health and I agree – acne can definitely serve to illuminate areas of your life that have an imbalance and ultimately make you a healthier, more balanced person. It’s certainly done so for me – I can’t believe what I used to eat in college. Just difficult to rememeber/appreciate that when you’re in the midst of a massive [cystic] breakout…like I am now :/ Trying to keep a positive attitude, get plenty of sunshine, take salt baths, eat to nourish my body…you know! Be good to myself. But every day is a challenge. One day at a time…
I agree with that post wholeheartedly! Although I am still in constant struggle with acne, I must say that having this condition actually opened my eyes. I am glad that I see how to treat myself naturally, and in a healthy way. My diet is still improper because of living with my parents with them doing all the shopping (dad loves sweets, and when I have sugar cravings, its really hard to resist ;)) but I hope that implementing new whole products wouldn’t be such a problem and eventually I shall achieve clean skin (especially on back…). Now I know that I was punishing my skin with harsh cleansers, toners, picking at it for working improperly and try to be very gentle and loving as it is a part of such wonderous being as myself(every one of us is!).
Hey Nathalie
Glad you liked the post.
As far as your diet goes I personally think it’s good to allow yourself whatever every so often, certainly better than getting stressed about what you eat.
The skin care routine is definitely something that I think a lot of people could improve – looks like you are doing a great job there.
Appreciate you taking the time to comment.
Bobby
Hey Corley
Ye it can be really tough seeing the good side of it all when your going through a bad spell, just important to remember it’s short term, where as making positive changes will have long term benefits.
Appreciate you taking the time to leave a comment.
Bobby
Totally 🙂
Awesome article! But Tracy, I was just wondering, how do we access the candida cleanse forum? Also, is it safe for a teen to take anti-fungal supplements? I’m 16.
Hi Franchesca,
Have you paid for the program? I just tried to email you using the email address that you left this comment with but it got sent back as ‘non-deliverable’. Please email me with the address provided on my contact page, and we’ll get it sorted out. https://thelovevitamin.com/contact-me-2/
Also, yes, as far as I know, antifungals should be fine to use as a teenager
Great article. We often think about acne as something wrong (and uhm, yeah, it is understandable), when it actually shapes us to see things differently, as you stated, and be better, healthier, and happier (what in my opinion is the most important thing).
Of course you’re right. It’s an awful thing to think about, though… that we needed all of this emotional devastation in order to be motivated to be healthy, and that some “lucky” people escape with their bad health habits and a gorgeous complexion, complete with confidence, all at the same time. I do feel a strange pity for people who continue to live unhealthily and have no real drive not to… and for the reality that many people with beautiful skin are stressed and angry nevertheless. Mostly I’m sad when I think about the level of comfort I have almost never had as a soul in a body, definitely never in an adult body. I don’t think it’s a bad idea to be grateful for our experiences with acne, however, because, truthfully, I think awareness and gratitude are more important than comfort. If only we could have both worlds! With Tracy’s support, I guess, this is become more and more possible every day… 🙂 Cheers!
Hey Annie
Your totally right, it is sad that many of us need something like acne to make us think more about our health and well-being.
Thanks for such a thoughtful comment.
Bobby
I completely agree with what you’re saying Annie about feeling like an uncomfortable soul in the wrong body…I feel like my spirit is restricted by the skin/body it’s in, a major part of that goes back to social conditioning though I think, as Tracy discussed in an article a few months ago…I think I FEEL like my soul and my personality are ruined by self-esteem issues BECAUSE I’ve grown up thinking perfect = happiness.
That’s why I really like the sentiment of your article Bobby, because it goes against that idea of equating outer appearance to some kind of damaged personality.
I’m really trying so hard to build up my self- esteem but I keep having really bad days every month when I just get hysterical about the way I look – then when you take a step back and put it into perspective, you realise how insane it is that physical appearance hinders your life. But in the moment of those negative emotions about yourself you can’t think rationally. I guess that’s why I like the idea of taking a long-term positive approach to hardships in life in general, of which acne is definitely one of them. I’ve got so many bad genes running through me I could list them all here and compare myself to genetically ‘lucky’ people, but that would be me equating ‘luck’ and happiness with beauty/physical appearance, which is SO wrong. I really completely agree when you mention that we’ve all shown by being on these sites how proactive we are and how much we value life by wanting to make ours better, rather than, like you say, complacently go about without enriching their lives with any sense of self-purpose and improvement.
Thanks for the interesting read.
Hey LJ
You are not alone when you talk about going through bad spells with your appearance, I do as-well and it can really affect self-esteem as you say.
Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment.
Bobby
Hi Bobby,
Thank you for the post. It really has confirmed everything with what I have learnt (and am still learning) from going through acne.
I used have clear skin when I was at Uni, and to be really honest, I don’t think that I was a considerate enough person back then. (Am embarrassed to admit) I thought that I was ‘all that’ back then. To put it frankly, I rested my laurels on my looks, yep, pretty sad I know! But I will admit this to everyone and I will say that if it were not for acne, I would not have been the person I have become today!
There were many tears and tantrums along the way, but I have now come to realise that looks alone will not get you anywhere in the long run! Thanks to people like yourself Bobby, Tracy and Fran (from High on Health) I have learnt to take a step back and become a better person. Be good to myself, be good to others and help others.
I have wonderful friends who love me and support me for being ME and I work hard at what I do at work and my family has taught me so much in what it REALLY means to be good throughout this ‘acne episode’.
I have off days when I just want to sit on the couch and do a DVD marathon, but I found that now I can go out with no make up on and just be me and enjoy myself.
The journey is going to be long from now, but I have confidence that I will walk on with my head held high! So thank you Bobby and to everyone with their stories and inspirational messages!
X
Hey Emi
I don’t think you should be embarrassed to say that, it’s all part of growing up.
Hopefully your “acne episode” won’t last to long now your following Tracy and Fran, who are both awesome at what they do.
I still get them off days to, but I think everyone get’s them. That is a big positive step that you can now do that, and you should always walk around with your head held high, no matter what!
If you need any help or question from me you know where I am 🙂
Bobby
This is so true! I was just thinking about this the other day. Why not look on the bright side of things? Acne is like the canary in the coal mine of our health!
Hey Raven
Glad you liked it.
Bobby
I never had acne but now that I turned in my 20s my skin has been changing drastically. Before those days I was arrogant and wasn’t as humble. But now since I got my acne I look at things differently. But yah it effects my confidence levels sometimes. The rude marks I get from people is really hurting. I wanted to ask you the natural products you use on your face? Where can you get natural products from if you have acne oily prone skin?
Oh wow, this really made me feel better.
I am now 16, and about four months ago, I used to have this clear skin that everybody was jealous of…until one day I used the wrong face wash and huge zits appeared, and I stupidly popped one and the brown scar STILL hasn’t gone away and it’s been four months 🙁
Then I accidentally kept using the wrong face wash (the bottles were way too identical!) and my face took a turn for the worse. I went to the dermatologist but that only made my pimples worse.
I have so many pimples now and I feel so frustrated and lost my self confidence and is acting different, being more sensitive and annoying, and even being so afraid of being judged and stared at that I skipped a meetup with friends :'( This skin problem really tears me apart. I spend HOURS just looking up ways on the internet on how to get rid of my acne and scars…hours that I could of been using to do something else.
But then…I found positive sides to my acne. Some that even you listed 🙂
1. My diet is better. I’m eating more vegetables and fruits and drinking more water and staying away from fat foods and sugar and coffee. Though once my acne clears up, I’ll let myself have a little to congratulate myself.
2. Sleep. I get more sleep now because I know that enough sleep plays a role in getting rid of acne!
3. Exercise. I exercise three times a week now 🙂
(and some others that I discovered hehe)
4. When I have children, I can tell them what to do and what not to do when it comes to pimples. I could also tell my friends too. If I have to go through all of this pain of having pimples, then I can be happy when I make others happy when I help them to achieve clear skin.
5. It teaches me to sympathize more. I used to think differently and negatively of people with acne. But then that I myself is going through it, I’ll be able to sympathize more.
I keep looking for the positive side! 🙂
And I am trying hard to get my skin back to normal. Even if it’ll take months and even over a year, I’ll still try hard! I went back to my old face wash so let’s see what happens!
And even if I get my clear skin back, I’ll keep up the healthy and positive habits 🙂
Thank you so much for making the post by the way, Bobby 🙂 It really made me feel better.
Hi Bobby! I really really like to thank you for sharing your experience, I am now 14 years old and I’m suffering from severe acne ( too young I know)
At first I really don’t know what to do, I reasearch about the things I needed to do to get rid of my pimples. So instead I use make up like concealer to hide my spots, I can’t leave my house without any make up on
It was really hard because I alos live in a tropical country. The exposure of sun is the reason why I have a lot of pimples.
That’s why I hate the sun. I’m losing self confidence and worse I don’t even like people staring at me and making comments about my face.
It was really complicated. But when I read your opinion, I’ve been positive and optimistic about things. So thank you for that
I STRONGLY disagree with this. I have cystic acne. It has scarred my face. I cry everyday when I look in the mirror. I isolate myself from others fom embarrassment and feel depressed. I am on Accutane to end my struggle and suffering mental effects from it. Yes it made me a stonger person and to appreciate the skin i will have when im clear but to say that is a good thing is horrible.
Hey, I got into an abusive relationship beacuse I though who would want me due to my skin. Mostly, I still think that. My cystic acne is body wide and for two decades, just about, I dealt with bad scarring and runny, pussy, pustules all over.
Then I changed my diet, and that changed my life. Still, though, I wish I didn’t have to spend so much on special food or special holistic treatments. The diet does keep my body in much better shape, and I’m more considerate of skin issues in others, but it’s such a big price to my wallet and self-esteem. I still get teary-eyed and depressed over my looks, but at least I can control my skin better. Sometimes it even looks good.
People suffering acne won’t be comforted by this at the moment. But they may look back and agree with you. As I do.
I had severe cystic acne for many years. I hid away, had my first bout of major depression and forgot to learn to relate to people. People would mention it all the time.
However I also really learned about skin and how to care for it.
I was also very, very lucky, that at age 16 my dermo put me on a little-known cream called Retin-A. I have used it on and off for more than 40 years now. I will be 60 in a few months and I have flawless, wrinkle-free, clear, beautiful skin that people mention all the time.
Hang in there. Roaccutane finally zapped it for me, in my mid 30’s. It took two rounds of it, but it worked.
I agree — often it’s in hindsight! But recognizing the learning and growth opportunities that come from the difficult times can turn something that feels like it has no upside into something positive.