My name is Ferend, and I am 21 years old. I started my Instagram platform to show people my personal journey with breakouts and to share positivity through the up and downs of acne. 

When you’re acne is not healing despite using a great routine and great products, it hits you really hard. I remember feeling very depressed, but I did not showing my insecurities. I often kept those things to myself. During my college years, I started getting acne, and I repressed my feelings about acne because I wanted to stay focused. However, I did try different products. There was a moment where I was breaking out a lot, and I found a cleanser that catered to oily skin. I thoroughly read the skincare reviews so I thought the cleanser would work for me, but when I used it, it broke me out so bad that it took my skin one year to get back to normal. 

I used this product for one month, and it started damaging my skin. It took one year to completely heal my skin, and I felt anxious. I didn’t want to believe that an overpriced cleanser was worsening my acne. I love skincare, and I didn’t want to believe it. But, it became cystic, and I had to visit the doctor for a facial injection. I was so frustrated. 

That’s why I like to share my knowledge and positivity on Instagram. I like helping people and communicating with brands. Bigger brands should especially be more communicative with their consumers. They should be transparent about the contents of the product and why it was made. The connection is not there, and they don’t engage the experience of living with acne. They don’t understand how much acne can socially impact someone. Like - one time, I went to my brother’s graduation, and there was nothing I could do to cover it up because my skin couldn’t tolerate makeup. I felt so insecure because so many strangers were looking at me like - “Why is your face like that???” And that got me really down. 

Another time, a delivery guy saw that my forehead was very red, and he actually commented on it. He was like - “What happened to your face???” 

I was like - “What???” 

If I were a guy, I don’t know if he would have made this comment. I feel like there’s a lot of pressure on women to have clear skin. Despite negative experiences like this, my friends have been very supportive. They’ve truly helped me to accept my skin. My acne is genetic, and because of that, I truly have to accept it. There are times where I feel depressed because of my acne, but then, I always do something to keep myself busy. Even when my acne is very intense, I still have to go to work. I’m not going to let acne stop me because I still have priorities. But even though I don’t let acne stop me, I still have to work on my confidence. I think that’s been the biggest change for me. I’m becoming more confident. Before, I wouldn’t have dared to post on my social media, but now, I don’t care if people judge me. 

I have to be myself and focus on the positive things I can do to help others. I want to tell people that acne is treatable so you don’t have to stress about it. Surround yourself with supportive people, or in any case, you’re going to meet people who appreciate you for who you are one day. So, don’t worry too much, and try getting to know who you are outside of your skin.

@ferendchin