My name is Jordan, a 16-year-old proudly Greek male from Melbourne, and I wanted to share my personal experience with acne. I believe my story could shed light on the challenges faced by individuals dealing with this condition.
“Have your tried washing your face?”
“Do you drink enough water?”
These are the types of comments people say to me on a daily basis.
And of course I drink enough water, and wash my face twice a day.
As much as I just brush these comments off and make it look like it doesn’t affect me on the outside, but in reality I’m drained. After numerous dermatologist appointments, natural remedies and products, nothing has worked, it has gotten worse.
The worst part was that my whole family has clear skin and it felt like I was the odd one out. Often getting told by loud concerned Greek relatives “oh it’s alright I had acne when I was about your age too, it’s normal, have you tried…”
-Yes, I’ve tried everything!
And they even show photos of their acne from when they were 16, only having one or two pimples and it was nothing compared to what I had.
Within Greek families, there is often an emphasis on presenting oneself well and maintaining a polished appearance. Relatives, well-intentioned though they may be, may offer advice and remedies based on traditional Greek remedies or personal experiences, which always make me laugh, especially when Yiayia approaches me with her ‘acne remedy’.
Over the past year, I found myself obsessively scrolling through TikTok, searching for products that could help people with oily, acne-prone skin. I realised that this obsession with my skin wasn’t just my own; many others dealing with acne can relate. We become fixated on what our skin could look like, investing our hard-earned money on countless skincare products, hoping for a solution. Unfortunately, none of them seem to work.
I’ve become aware that brands often claim their products are suitable for all skin types, but they don’t live up to that promise. As someone with oily skin, it feels like I could be drained of all the oil on my face, and there would still be an abundance left.
Being a teenager in 2023 allows me to be open about myself although it drives me to a harsh environment. I constantly find myself comparing my skin to other guys my age or celebrities or influencers. I know I shouldn’t be comparing myself to people who have ‘glass skin’ but sometimes it’s good for me to dream of an achievement I know I can reach.
But I slowly came to a realisation that I could never be a representative of a societal norm, nor will anyone else. In a society that idealises flawless skin, having acne can make me feel unworthy of social acceptance. Which is how I left myself trapped in a cycle of comparing my own appearance to an unattainable beauty standard.
I decided to surround myself with others who don’t judge what people look like or criticise.
Living with acne requires resilience on a daily basis. The ability to face the mirror with self-compassion, understanding, and acceptance is a testament to my inner strength. Living with acne I’ve learned to learn to prioritise my emotional well-being, developing coping mechanisms and self-care practices that go beyond superficial appearances.
I’ve learned that it’s not easy and I may not have any control over it, but at least I know I’m not alone.
So, please spread the awareness of what people with acne have to go through and don’t refer them to any products because there is a high chance that they have probably already tried it!
