"You’ll grow out of it."

That’s what everyone used to say to me, all throughout high school, when I had severe acne. It helped that most of the kids I went to school with also had a few pimples popping up on their faces.

We tried everything. Every harsh chemical under the sun. You name it; we tried it. And nothing seemed to work.

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In my early 20s, I grew accustomed to the fact that I’d always have a stray pimple on my face. Usually, it would appear on my chin before I got my period, or on my forehead if I’d worn my side fringe that day.

Never in a million years did I think I would be approaching 30 and have some of the worst acne I’ve ever had.

I’ve even sent a message to my friends before a dinner catch up that read something like this:

'Also friends, just pre-warning you, my skin is really, really bad atm. I might not cover it up only because it’s sore and makeup's never good for it. I’m trying not to let it get me down, but it just means I’m out and about resembling a pimply pizza - but a cute pizza nonetheless.️'

Pimply. But upbeat.

Before going on dates, I’ve piled layers upon layers of makeup to attempt to cover them up.

Which brings me to another conundrum all acne sufferers will know all too well: To cover up, or not to cover up? It’s a vicious cycle.

You know you’ll look and feel confident if you put some concealer on your spots, but you also know it’ll mean you get a few more spots, or that one spot will get bigger after being clogged with makeup.

My coping mechanisms.

For my fellow acne sufferers, fill your social media feeds with skin positive influencers - people who have embraced and accepted their bumps and flaws. It helps me to remember I’m not alone in my acne struggle.

Here’s some of my favourites:

1. @izzierodgers.

2. @isofiagrahn.

3. @cottyconcha.

4. @emeraldxbeauty.