Acne Positivity Movement

Accepting Acne And Promoting Body Positivity

by Daryl Fillion
2025-01-24 20

Let’s be honest, nobody looks their best every single day. While everyone promotes self love, practicing it can often feel easier said than done. Social media not only sets unrealistic beauty standards, but also makes it harder for a person to accept their imperfections. Among countless things, the one which makes a person feel insecure and shatters their confidence is acne.

Acne is a skin condition that causes pimples, blackheads and whiteheads. It is the most common symptom of puberty as the body produces more oil and almost everyone experiences it. The chances of acne are higher in women as their hormones fluctuate a lot, for many reasons, including menstruation, pregnancy, menopause and stress. Other factors could be clogged pores, unhealthy diet, birth control and sweating. According to societal standards, it is considered to be one of the most unflattering features that anyone may possess. People struggling with skin issues not only have to deal with random stares, but also have to listen to all sorts of unsolicited advice. It can lower self-esteem, increase the fear of getting bullied, resulting in increased anxiety which affects social life as well. Women are often shamed for not being perfect because they do not have an hourglass body and spotless skin. The amount of pressure they put on themselves to look their best is exhausting. It not only involves working out twice a week, drinking herbal teas for detox, consuming a calorie deficit diet and collagen supplements, but also includes carefully layering skincare products, shaving off all body hair, following a balanced diet plan, which is unhealthy for mental health. It’s high time that everyone realizes that there are many forms of beauty and it only depends on your perspective.

Social media is rightfully blamed for all the good reasons, as it has increased impractical aesthetic norms. But thankfully, some influencers and celebrities have started sharing their acne journey. It is an empowering move, being beneficial for the audience as it breaks the stigma, provides support and encouragement, raises awareness, encourages others to seek solutions for acne treatment while boosting confidence. This movement redefined the definition of beauty, helping people accept their natural skin.

Nowadays, everyone talks about body positivity and self love. But have you ever thought, what does it mean to accept flaws? Does it mean accepting the body the way it is without making any effort to combat the imperfections? The answer is no. It means accepting your features and what you have rather than being bothered by the social norms. Some people learn it the hard way, but it’s always better late than never!

In this blog, we will discuss the causes of acne, how it impacts a person mentally, how to control it, and how to practice acne positivity. Let’s dive in!

Acne and Its Causes

It is a common skin condition that causes pimples. Clogged pores usually produce blackheads, whiteheads and other types of acne. Pimples are filled with pus and appear on the skin in the form of painful bumps. It appears mainly on the face, shoulder, back, neck and chest. It occurs when hair follicles are blocked by oil and dead skin cells causing inflammation. It can be triggered by air pollution, humid weather, heavy lotions, thick creams and stress. It could also be a side effect of medication or caused by picking at your acne.

According to research, it affects 3 in every 4 people aged 12 to 30 years, making it a condition almost everyone experiences at some point in their life. Oil glands exist all over the body. The most common locations of acne are where they exist the most. During puberty, sebaceous glands become more active, producing excessive oil and sebum which can lead to various skin issues. It is also common in adults due to hormonal changes. Adult acne is more common in women as their hormones fluctuate a lot. You will be more prone to acne if it is in your family history (genes).

Types of Acne and Their Treatment

If you struggle to find the type which you are suffering from, then continue reading. We will discuss the different types of acne and how to distinguish them. They include:

1. Fungal Acne

It occurs when yeast builds up in the hair follicles. If your skin is itchy with red bumps, then you might be suffering from it.

How to treat it: Antifungal topical medications like ketoconazole can be used for treatment.

2. Cystic Acne

It is the most severe type of acne which can cause significant scarring. Pus filled cysts are its symptoms.

How to treat it: If you are dealing with it, then it is better to consult a dermatologist as it is the most stubborn type of acne. Oral antibiotics and isotretinoin will help in healing your skin. For scarring, there is no way to completely get rid of it. It can be reduced by some procedures like laser, microneedling, PRP, and cryosurgery. Other than that, some steroids cream might help in making the healing process robust.

3. Hormonal Acne

It mostly affects adults, suffering from excessive oil and sebum production that clogs their pores. It mostly appears around the jawline and chin.

How to treat it: It can be treated by addressing the underlying cause of hormonal imbalance. Other than that, some anti-androgen medications will reduce it. Following a balanced diet plan, drinking herbal teas for detox, and consuming collagen supplements are beneficial for treating hormonal acne.

4. Nodular Acne

It is a harsh type of acne. It results in large and painful lumps, deep within the skin.

How to treat it: It can be treated by some prescribed oral medications and isotretinoin.

Acne could be triggered by some other factors as well. Some particular foods lead to skin issues, including skim milk, whey protein and sugar. A balanced diet plan ensures that the body is getting all the essential nutrients which results in a reduction in skin issues. Clogged pores are the major cause of it. They can be cleared by double cleansing, using an oil-free moisturizer and wearing non-comedogenic makeup. Controlling stress is also necessary which can be done by practicing yoga and meditation. Remember to keep your hands away from the face and do not touch it unnecessarily. Herbal teas for detox play a significant role in improving overall skin health. If you have healthy skin, then it’s better to take collagen supplements and incorporate these practices in your routine as prevention is better than cure!

Even though we have many ways to cure acne, it is not necessary to treat it. Since 2018, the acne positivity movement has taken over the internet and gained immense popularity. The reason behind starting this movement was to destigmatize acne and help people embrace their flaws. It felt like a warm hug to those battling skin issues. Its purpose was to make people realize that a smooth and glowing skin should not be the end goal. It mainly emphasized on the fact that beauty is not limited to fair and spotless skin. It is in many forms and its definition solely depends on how a person perceives it.

As a result, people are now confident enough to post filter-less photos on social media. Many brands took advantage of this movement and promoted their makeup and skincare line by hiring models with skin issues. They have realized that it's not important to stigmatize acne to promote their products. If the brands can accept it, why can’t we? So, it’s important to accept your imperfections and wear them like a crown!

To summarize, acne can take a toll on the mental health of an individual. It’s important to treat it before it’s too late. If you notice any symptom of it, then it’s better to get it checked. For acne treatment, consider making a few lifestyle changes which includes, consumption of collagen supplements, following a balanced diet plan, and increasing intake of herbal teas for detox. These practices will help you combat skin issues. Don’t let this problem affect your confidence and self-esteem as you are more than how you look.