My name is Hajra and I'd always thought that acne was a teenaged phase.

Imagine my surprise when I suddenly broke out into a smattering of pimples one fine morning as an adult! I was absolutely horrified. 

All the angst of my teen years suddenly came rushing back and I felt like an awkward, pimply girl again.  At sixteen, I used to gaze at myself in the mirror in sheer hatred, clawing the bumps in my face until they turned red and scarred.

I was twenty five years old now and staring at myself in the mirror with the same wretched feeling that sent me spiraling into a deep well of insecurity. 

I stopped going out in the daytime and pushed strands of my hair on my cheeks so it was less noticeable. I was too embarrassed to take selfies. I felt like I was lying behind the filters.

I also realized that despite my breakouts, my skin was quite dry, not the shiny teenaged kind it used to be. It was a weird mix.

So I did some research and made some changes.

I cut down on soda and fried food and started drinking more water

I frequently changed my pillowcase and was very careful about keeping my skin clean, carrying makeup wipes in my purse, particularly on hot summer days. 

I started a nighttime regimen inspired by K-Beauty which included careful makeup removal, scrubbing my face, lightly moisturizing and then applying herbal treatment to pimply areas.

 I also started monthly facials and opted for deep cleansing ones where my pores would emerge cleaner and tighter than before.

For marks, I exfoliated with organic products and applied non-alcoholic toner regularly.

I used sunblock for sensitive skin whenever I left my house.

I made sure my blush brush was always clean, investing in a cleaning solution that I had my friend bring back for me from Boots in London.

So my breakouts aren’t totally over but at least they’re under control.

Adult acne is really awful and it kills your confidence, but it isn’t incurable.

Apparently, stress makes it even worse. So I started yoga to build up my inner and outer confidence. 

What you are on the inside sometimes reflects on the outside when it comes to your skin. Now that I’m calmer, I feel like my skin is too.