After talking to a few friends, I realized it’s a common issue; to have your skin completely change in your early twenties. The way I went about dealing with this new skin of mine is something I think gets tossed to the wayside by many people who are comfortable with their current situation, as I was before this fiasco: cutting back. I went through some trial and error, ultimately deciding to cut back significantly on the amount of different products I was putting on my face. I chose one cleanser, one toner, one day cream, and a night cream to help fade my scarring. I researched what kind of ingredients I should avoid, and paid attention to the ones that worked best for me. For my skin, tea tree is a god send. I also benefitted tremendously from vitamin E gel and pure aloe vera.

A dedicated routine has made all the difference as well. These days I feel lost if I don’t do a face mask at least twice a week. I used to think masks were something of a treat, an extra. But I’m a convert who has seen the light and is never going back. The makeup I use is also more selected. I never used to care about makeup that doubled as skincare until I started to notice the difference it made. On top of all that, it didn’t hurt that I started making the switch to a vegan lifestyle.

A couple trips to the dermatologist to make sure there was nothing too serious going on, a few emotional days brought on by frustration, and more research than I ever dreamed of doing on skincare later, my skin is just about back to normal. I’d even say it might be better than what my old normal was. It goes to show that loyalty to a routine, understanding the right skincare for you, and a bit of patience can help set you back on track. It’s not a fast road, obviously, as these things take time. But the end result has such an impact on confidence and self-esteem that it is well worth the effort.

**Header Image – Kate Moss by Mario Testino**