Embracing Your Skin Through Self-Care

 

Hello lovelies! 

Today, I want to share with you a deeply personal journey - my journey to self-acceptance through embracing my skin. Growing up with atopic dermatitis, I struggled with dry, sensitive skin, but it wasn't until later in life that I truly began to understand the power of self-care and its transformative effects on my confidence and self-esteem.

Childhood Struggles:

I can remember like it was yesterday, the constant itchiness and discomfort I endured after every bath and shower. My mom tried every “soap” imaginable. From Zest, to Coast, to Tone (which I liked but it still cracked my skin), to Dial, and Ivory, and everything in between to mitigate the dryness and itching of my skin, but nothing seemed to work. For as long as I can remember, my mom had a water softener installed so we always had soft water but my janky skin was just that, janky, or so I thought.

In school I was teased and made fun of for various reasons and my “dry, ashy skin” was not left out.

As I reached adulthood, I became accustomed to hiding my skin issues, wearing long sleeves and cardigans year-round to conceal the scars and scabs my constant scratching left behind.

Hope, Diagnosis & Acceptance:

It wasn't until my 30s I received a diagnosis of atopic dermatitis that I found a glimmer of hope. Knowing my skin wasn’t just janky and there was a name for my struggles meant that there was also potential for relief. 

My doctor prescribed topical ointments and steroid creams some of which worked and some didn’t, but all were thick, heavy, greasy messes and only provided temporary relief; however, it was through trial and error and happy accidents, that I discovered the right ingredients for my skin. 

The ingredients I began using not only provided physical relief but also, unbeknownst to me at the time, helped me discover a newfound sense of confidence and acceptance of my skin.

Transformation through Self-Care:

 

Using the right products tailored to my skin's needs was truly life-changing. I no longer felt ashamed and embarrassed by my skin; instead, I embraced it with love and care. 

My daily showers and caring for my skin became a form of self-love and empowerment, allowing me to reclaim my sense of beauty and self-worth. 

My morning and evening showers were no longer faced with dread because of the itching, dryness, and irritation that used to follow immediately after, now they were moments of quiet respite I looked forward to knowing my skin and mental state would be calm and soothed.

Is my skin perfect?

No, but my skin is healthy, nourished, calm, and more manageable than it has ever been. I no longer worry about irritation from harsh soaps and the lack of hydration from watery lotions that do nothing to help seal in moisture. 

Not having to worry and address those fears and worries every day is so liberating! I can finally enjoy taking care of my skin and pampering myself in the process. 

Your Time to Shine & Embrace Your Journey:

I encourage you to reflect on your own relationship with your skin. 

Are you waking up excited to care for your skin, knowing that it will leave you feeling soft, nourished, and confident? 

If not, it may be time for a change. Your self-care journey is unique to you, but remember that you are not alone. Together, we can celebrate the beauty of self-acceptance and the power of self-care.

 

In closing, I want to remind you that beauty comes in all shapes, sizes, and skin types. Embrace your skin journey with courage, grace, and compassion, and never forget to prioritize your own well-being and self-love. Let's embark on this journey together, celebrating the beauty of self-acceptance and the transformative power of self-care.

If this post resonates with you, I invite you to share it with others who can benefit from my story and also, share your skin journey in the comments below. 

Let's support each other on our paths to self-acceptance and empowerment.