Hi everyone, hope everyone is doing well. 

Today, I wanted to open up about my own skin journey and invite you to share your experiences, too. My relationship with my skin is complicated; I would like to call it a Love-Hate relationship. 

Growing up, I had the kind of skin people admired: soft, glowing, and thankfully breakout-free, except for a brief moment at sixteen. But when I moved to the Netherlands in 2021, everything changed. Maybe it was the change of water, environmental shifts, or simply stress, but my skin began to transform seemingly overnight. Small red pimples and a mild case of acne on my cheek suddenly appeared, leaving me confused and anxious. I couldn’t tell if the stress was triggering my acne or if my acne was triggering my stress. 

Those days felt like a dark chapter. My self-esteem dropped, and I barely looked at myself in the mirror. Sunlight, mirrors, and even social gatherings became overwhelming, as my friends’ skin seemed unbothered while mine felt like the opposite. My dermatologist prescribed medication, which was definitely helpful but quickly became something I depended on, feeling uneasy if my supply ran low. The pills also left me with known side effects—dryness, irritation, and pore changes that were hard to ignore.

When my skin finally cleared, my confidence was boosted, and I felt vibrant. That’s the reason I describe this as a love-hate relationship: on good days, my skin makes me confident; but during breakouts, I feel vulnerable, as if my self-worth is defined by my skin’s condition. After learning more about skincare, I adjusted my skincare routine, opting for products that strengthen my skin barrier, and learning to acknowledge the shifts in my skin throughout my hormonal cycle. 

I know that some of you may relate to these ups and downs, while others might not. But I wanted to share my story with anyone who feels discouraged or stuck in their journey and also wanted to advise that sometimes, a shift in routine or products can make all the difference. From my experience, I recommend looking for products with natural ingredients and without endocrine-disrupting chemicals to support your skin. 

I hope your skincare journey ends in the way you wish, and please share your skin journey and what helped you through it! 

Take care and see you soon :) 

P.S. One product that has been a true ally in my skincare journey is Knours Youth Cream—it’s helped me overcome my skin problems.