During the pandemic, I realized that my poor sleep schedule and diet, such as eating too much chocolate, spicy foods, dairy, and chips, might have contributed to both my acne and weight gain. Additionally, I was in my Korean drama era, eating non-stop ramen. As things began to return to normal and people could go outside more, I decided to make some changes. I started going to the gym and learned that what I eat is what mostly matters. To make healthy eating less of a chore and to avoid the temptation of fast food, I really put time into making my meals look presentable and appetizing. This way, I wouldn’t feel shy about bringing my own food instead of eating fast food.

After about six months, I noticed improvements not just in my weight but also in my skin. My face began to look much clearer, primarily because I started eating more fruits and vegetables than ever before. I’ve learned that determination and consistency are the key. Nowadays, I wouldn’t want a meal without veggies, which reminds me of the motto from our science video: “Go green, and make it your thing!”.

I was 12 years old when I was diagnosed with Atopic Dermatitis or commonly known as Eczema. I was happy because I finally have an explanation on what is happening to my skin. I learned what triggers my skin and how to heal it. Atopic Dermatitis cannot be healed but it can be controlled. So I’m doing my best to control it.

Being diagnosed with Eczema means that I cannot eat Chicken, Seafoods, Egg, Junk Foods (because they contain an ingredient called Tartrazine), and a lot more. It also means that being exposed to environmental triggers and stress is bad for my skin. Which became a challenge because of the fact that most people are unaware of their impact to others. People’s criticism on my skin made me feel worse which eventually led my skin condition to worsen. My skin was filled with inflammation and I was losing a lot of hair. I got exhausted on visiting my dermatologist and being shot with injections every visit. I was eventually able to control my skin and find the best treatment that works for me.

I spent years of not being able to take pictures and wearing clothes that I wanted to wear. The people around me felt ashamed of my skin condition. They prohibited me from posting pictures where my scars were visible. Which saddens me because despite everything, I wanted people to learn about my skin and educate them on Atopic Dermatitis.

Over the years, I had countless realisations and it helped me to have a better thinking about myself and my environment. Even though I did not get the support that I needed, I’m still happy because it made me independent and I was able to know how to figure things out by myself. I found people who were willing to learn about my skin condition and became my support system. I’m still in the process of healing and finding peace. My main intention of sharing my story is to educate people and to remind them that whatever illness we have should be acknowledged. Illnesses does not make us less of a human being.

I ended up buying skincare products that I saw in videos, hoping they would help get rid of my acne as it was getting worse and leaving dark spots, which is another insecurity of mine. My mom constantly tells me to stop applying cosmetics or whatever I’m using on my face because she thinks it makes my acne worse. Whenever she notices my face, she says, "Your face is ruined because of all the things you're using." I stay quiet because I don’t know what else to do. I rely on makeup to cover my acne and scars, and I’ve already tried so many products for my skin.

But now, I’ve learned to embrace my bare face, realizing that my skin, with all its imperfections, is a part of who I am. Instead of worrying about every blemish or dark spot, I focus on taking care of my skin, learning what type of ingredients to heal it, and letting it heal naturally. I’ve stopped letting negative comments, whether from others or myself, define how I feel about my appearance. It’s been a journey of self-acceptance and learning to love my face as it is. ❤️

However, I’ve learned how to better take care of my skin over time. By finding skincare products specifically made for sensitive, acne-prone skin, I’ve been able to avoid ingredients that trigger breakouts or irritation. Though I still have acne, I’ve started to embrace it for what it is, and focusing on what I can control. I’m also starting to overcome my eating disorder, gradually learned other positive ways to cope and introducing healthier foods into my diet, which has helped both my gut health and my skin. This journey hasn’t been easy, but I’ve learned to manage my skin in a healthier way.

Despite inheriting good genes from my full-blooded Chinese mother and Mestizo father, I often felt awkward about my appearance, particularly my skin.

Since childhood, people would comment on my reddened face, often asking, "Bakit ka nangangamatis?", “Grabe, pulang pula ka!”, “Pagod na pagod ah” — phrases that made me more self-conscious about how easily my skin flushed appears before I can feel it.

At first, I didn’t think much of it, but as I grew older, their observations persisted and lasted in my mind, which I realized that it was not just about my appearance.

My skin flushing wasn’t only a reflection of my emotions but also a sign of what was happening with my body. Sometimes, it reddened because I was nervous or excited, or especially due to heat.

Over time, I learned to accept these reactions as part of who I am. Instead of feeling embarrassed about my skin, I thought that I should start to appreciate my flushed skin as a distinctive feature of my identity.

In which I realized that our skin is connected to our emotions and health, making it look more than just a reflection of our looks.

As I was outlining the context of “My Skin Story”, I already anticipated that it would be a challenge since as far as I can remember, I didn’t feel any serious matter about my skin even with noticeable features like a birthmark on my back, a scar on my left knee, and occasional pimples owing to the fact that I am not that type of person who cares that much about my skin. However, I underestimated the complexity of my feelings and began to envy people with lighter skin, people who don’t have dark areas on their faces and bodies, and those who barely has noticeable body hair.

Despite these feelings of envy, I often reassured myself with thoughts like, “Yayaman din ako, mapapaayos ko rin ‘yan in the future, kaya bakit pa mag-aaksaya ng oras para diyan?” I convinced myself that my current frustrations are temporary and would resolve with time and money.

Yet, teenage years proved to be a whirlwind, turning what I thought were minor concerns only to major challenges. My skin became hectic, as there are dry patches and oily zones, leading to a rash of small pimples, uneven skin tone, and sensitivity. Just like my emotions that is all over the place, my skin felt messy and unpredictable too.

During this confusing time, I realized a tough lesson, where keeping anything in good shape, whether it's your skin or anything else, takes a lot of hard work. Giving that my previous assumptions that problems would naturally resolve themselves were naive. I learned that achieving and maintaining the skin I desired, requires active care and attention.

I had to accept that even though my skin wasn’t perfect like I wished, taking care of it needed regular effort and kindness towards myself. As it wasn’t just about achieving an ideal look but also about understanding and working with what I had, and recognizing that improving my skin was part of taking care of myself and accepting who I am.

That was when I started receiving backhanded compliments such as, “Maganda ka sana, kaso lang tigyawatin ka.” These comments deeply affected my self-confidence. It was engraved in me that my worth and beauty depended on the appearance of my skin.  

Ever since then, my acne started spreading to my whole face and I was starting to feel unconfident and shy to the point that daily socializations were hard for me. Not a single day has passed without people noticing my acne and randomly gives their unsolicited opinions and advice regarding on how to treat it.

In case you did not know, I have three brothers that are also struggling with acne, and when I turned 14, I decided to join them for their dermatologist treatments and check-ups. I was then diagnosed with Acne Vulgaris, and it turned out that we inherited it from both our parents.

Then my acne journey began. My skin is extremely sensitive; you can literally see noticeable difference between a photo taken a week ago and a recent one. My exposure to stress and the way my period cycle rotates also heavily affects my skin. My prescription was not only for skincare, but also included medications such as doxycycline, spironolactone, and lymecycline. It was expensive, hard, it affected my hormones, and required full dedication for any hope of healing.

Now that I am 17 years old, I felt like those medications were not working for me. Yes, they improved, but kept going back to where I started. They drained me— financially, emotionally, and mentally. The process felt painfully slow.

Then I stopped going to my dermatologist since December 2023, because I decided that instead of despising my skin, I would embrace its flaws as it makes me imperfectly perfect. I realized that it is normal to have skin conditions. I realized that having clear skin is not the standard to be beautiful, it is about the essence and art of being confident and contented enough so that you will be able to see your own beauty through your skin’s imperfections. I have proven to myself, and to everyone else that just because I have acne does not mean I can not be pretty. Now, I am happily taking care of my skin and learning how to do my makeup that suits my features most to elevate my looks.

My arms and legs were full of dark spots and scars. "galis ba yan?" & "ano nangyari?" are the phrases I often hear about them saying something about my skin condition. It made me lose my confidence to wear sleeveless shirts and shorts/skirts. I was not able to attend school for many days because of the itchyness I was experiencing.

However, it was a reminder how my skin can influence my comfort and confidence. Since then, I was able to learn on how to manage my eczema better with a skincare routine and regular dermatologist visits, which help me maintain a more stable condition.

Then I resorted to lip balms to soothe the dryness, but this specific lip balm didn’t really do anything and made the dry spots even worse. So, for a while, I decided not to use any lip products in order for my lips to heal.

Eventually, I resorted to petroleum jelly, which indeed has helped a lot when it comes to softening the dry spots. Until now, my lips are still healing, so it sure is a long journey. It didn’t affect my confidence as much since there’s really nothing I could do about it, and I’d rather just deal with it than make the situation worse by thinking that it’s something to be insecure about.

As a makeup girl, the sudden compromise of not being able to put lipstick on is hard since it felt like the makeup is incomplete, but I realized that it’s better to do that so my lips could heal properly.

"Ako nanaman!? Lagot kayo sakin! 🏃‍♀️"

Maiba, Taya! was my favorite outdoor game when I was a kid—until now, even. I would sacrifice my own dinner just so I could play outside for a longer time. I pretend to not hear my mom say—"Ayen! Pumasok ka na, hindi ka pa kumakain!" and continue to run with my neighbourhood friends around the streets of Tondo.

Until one day, while playing Maiba, Taya! a dog suddenly came at me which made me fall right on the ground. My legs were covered in bruises & blood were dripping out. I do not remember crying that time, I remembered thinking "Ano ba yan, wala akong nataya".

I did not stop. I continued playing maiba, taya! with my friends everyday, we would rent bikes for 25 pesos per hour and stroll around street. My favorite thing to do was inserting a plastic cup in the bike wheels so that it would make a sound when I ride. I did not care even if I get dirts everwhere on my skin because of the bike chain (which is a bit kadiri to think of right now).

Growing up, I have learned how to take good care of my skin but people started to notice the scars I got from being a kid that I never took deeply—it made me insecure. It came to the point where I would refuse to wear skirts & short even if it was in the color pink.

I am now 17 and I do not, obviously, run around the streets screaming "Ikaw na taya!" anymore. I cleanse my skin, I put on sunscreen everyday, and I even have a serum to keep my face hydrated.

But do I mind the permanent scars on my skin? No! Because I learned that those scars are not my insecurities but rather my childhood that I have learned to embrace.

-

My skin story is a journey that tackles about how I learned to love the permanent scars on my skin in a completely different perspective. Not all kids was able to enjoy their childhood as much as I did. The scars on my skin symbolizes the freedom I had that I will forever long for.

Now, I can confidently go outside, wear a pink skirt, and slay the day away! 💗

This helps to keep my skin moisturized and reduces both my smile lines and oiliness.

For my skincare routine, I use Ponds facial scrub to remove excess dirt and oil, which is one of my holy grail products. I also use Celeteque Hydration Facial Wash to keep my face hydrated, and I love the soft texture it leaves behind.

For sunscreen, I use QuickFX sunscreen, which is easy to blend and very lightweight. I also apply Belo Tinted Sunscreen as a base for my daily makeup. As for toner, I use Ponds Toner Mask to keep my skin hydrated. I apply this before my sunscreen and makeup, and it helps prevent my makeup from becoming cakey. For face powder, I use Doctor Sebum Blur Powder. It controls the oiliness of my face throughout the day and provides a matte finish effect, even though I’m still prone to oiliness.

For removing makeup and dirt, I use Garnier Micellar Water. It removes excess makeup and grime from being outside.

Some days I could feel the pain every time I got out of the shower to put some ointment in it, and I couldn’t hold my tears staring into it, thinking if I did anything wrong, even though I eat vegetables and fruits and drink plenty of water, my skin wouldn’t just go back to normal.

Then just a few days ago I visited a dermatologist, and it turns out I have eczema. The dermatologist insists on giving me dietary restrictions, how to take care of my skin, and my overall health. A lot of food was not allowed for me because they can trigger my skin to get inflammation. Aside from dietary restrictions, she gave me advice on managing my time in order to rest well and to be able to do the hardest part of what she gave me, body care. Seven products were given to me to help my skin get better, and that made me realize it’s going to be a detox not just for my skin but for my overall health.

This is just the beginning of my eczema journey. I am also grateful for the people that I met with the same condition, as they are making me feel seen and better. I promise to myself that I will take better care of my well-being and make healthy choices.

I used to be a stubborn child when this accident occurred because in the province, it just has a different vibe compared to the city. It’s like you can do anything you want without any severe consequences. And my mindset was like that. I played with my neighbors all the time and ran around the streets without thinking of what injuries or scratches I could sustain from those activities. Though I’m surprised I didn’t have any of those up until this point.

I came up to her and told her I was really hungry, and she said, “Oh sige, umakyat ka na muna at amoy sunog dito, baka ubuhin ka pa.” And as a stubborn child, I didn’t. I wanted to hang out with her for a while and moved near the pile of leaves. And then it all happened so fast. I tripped in a small canal where water passes through so our apartment doesn’t get clogged when it rains. I tripped and hurt my knees so bad that it started bleeding.

I returned inside and cried really hard, and my grandmother helped me bandage it. While I was reflecting, I thought, “Holy week tapos ang kulit-kulit ko, parusa to sakin siguro ni Lord." Because I believed that God was punishing me because I perceived myself as a bad child, and this was me repenting for my sins. In reality, I just needed to be aware of what I’m stepping on to avoid taking the wrong step.

I’m now 17, and this accident happened many years ago. I’m not playful like I used to be, because I’ve become more conscious of my skin. This accident has changed the trajectory of my life because after that, I avoided anything that could harm my skin as a means that I would not get punished. Those wounds of mine healed within a few weeks, and the scar became less visible.

Though the scar on my knee is not that visible anymore, I know it's there and its story. This experience showed me how “God’s punishment” to me has made me realize the importance of caring for my body, especially my skin, which acts as my shield against harm. We may all be perfectly imperfect, but our scars are a part of our story— and it’s something to embrace and be proud of.

I don't have a proper skincare routine, at that time. I'm not cleaning my face after applying makeup, thinking it wouldn't make a big difference. Little did i know this neglect was contributing to my skin issues.

But then, i decided to research about skincare routines, and i learned about the importance of cleansing, especially after wearing a makeup. I decided to start double cleansing using oil-based cleanser to remove my makeup, and then with a foam cleanser to clean my skin.

As my skin improved, i've gained my confidence. it wasn't just about looking better; it was about feeling i was taking care of myself.

This experience has made me more committed to my skincare routine.

On top of that, my brother infected me with chickenpox, so I really had the disease around the time I was in second grade. I scratched it because I believed it was just a mosquito bite. However, when I'm at school, I have itchy skin, red markings that seem like allergies, and even blisters on a few of them. The school sent me home, and my aunt took me to the doctor, where they diagnosed chickenpox. I stayed home alone for over a month. Being contagious made it so that I couldn't sleep, and the itching and suffering made it such that I couldn't be with my family. The scars on my body, particularly the areas where I rubbed my face and right arm, are still visible, even though it happened a long time ago. It was so deep that it left a visible scar. It attempted to apply petroleum jelly or another ointment to the markings, but nothing worked.

Over the course of time, I am able to come to terms with it. In addition to the scars that the chickenpox left behind, having acne marks, pimples, and even scars is a natural part of the maturity process. Having this scar is a representation of how I have endured and survived this skin condition.

LOVE YOURSELF.

Back then, I never really gave much attention to my skin; never saw it dark nor white, neither rough nor smooth, you could say I was okay with what I had, I guess. Then, puberty hits and it all began to become one of many insecurities I have. I started to get conscious and everything about myself just felt wrong. My skin felt too dark although they said it isn’t. I had a few one or two pimples then suddenly I saw my face having breakout. It was already frustrating and a lot more when I saw dark marks I still can’t get rid of until now. Even though it’s supposed to be normal, it frustrated me.

My skin also easily reacts with things especially when the temperature gets too hot. “buti ka nga namumula ka lang naman hindi ka naman mangingitim”. That’s what I hear most of the time ever since from my playmates, friends and those people I am close with even until today. I grew up hearing that statement from everyone I interact with, so my skin was not something I was insecure of, before. It is true, my skin gets so red specifically my face whenever I stay out in the sun, long or short it gets hot and red. So, every beach day is a free natural blush for me, but the consequence is it gets a little too hot sometimes. Additionally, my skin does not only get red when it’s hot, it also does when it’s cold, when I laugh too much, or sometimes even when I’m stress. It is also very sensitive, one scratch from anything and my skin gets bump or red immediately and how bruises can easily be visible on it every time I had one. I am grateful for inheriting such genes; having freckles and flushed skin but it also made me conscious from time to time while knowing it is uncontrolled.

Along with that, my skin has freckles, covering all of my body parts. Although it is not as visible yet especially the ones in my face. It still makes my skin look not as white as it’s supposed to be. I get conscious about it a lot since it honestly does not feel and look okay, the little dark dot/patches make it like that, and it gets worse as the time passes by. Aside from the little dots I get from the freckles I also have hyperpigmentation and small dark patches on some areas of my body, which I think is my biggest issue on my skin.

Sure, I may not have cared if I stayed out too long in the sun without any protection only because I was just getting red and not dark however as time goes by, I realize that skin also represents me and me not caring about it also gives me the consequences like how staying out in the sun for too long can worsen the freckles that I have. It does not only protect our inner structures, but it also shows how we are as a person; how we take care of our body and ourselves. Despite these things being totally normal and not something we can control the least we can do is take care of it and value its importance.

Then I thought maybe my acne isn’t disappearing because I put too much product on my face because of my desperation for my acne to disappear, so I decided to put fewer products of skin care on my face, and after at least months, I saw progress, so I continued my routine until I got comfortable and happy again with my skin.

Throughout my skin journey that I must say was very memorable in some ways, but because of insecurities, it scares me that someday it would repeat itself again, but then I learned that no matter how good or bad my skin is, I shouldn’t lose my confidence and be scared to face people because of how I always think that I should take the opinion of others and that it should always be heard.

At first, I wondered what would happen if I used products for makeup to pamper my skin or skincare. Would it help me feel beautiful if I used any of it?

People would comment on my face "Bakit hindi ka gumagamit ng makeup eh 17 years old kana?", "Bakit hindi ka naglalagay ng skincare para gumanda ka lalo?"

My mom continually advised me not to apply makeup or skincare on my face because it would ruin it and also my skin is sensitive.

But then I realized not just because my skin is sensitive to skincare and makeup does not mean that I am not beautiful. I don't need to prove to anyone that applying skincare or makeup products will make me feel more confident and beautiful about my face.

It begins back in 2019 with something so simple, so everyday—just a bite of chicken. For most, it's a casual indulgence, but for you, it’s different. That familiar warmth of flavor soon becomes an internal warning, a signal that your body recognizes before your mind fully does. An itch, a tingle, and then, like a slow ripple, your skin begins to speak.

The allergy takes hold. Redness blooms across your skin, subtle at first, but then it grows, a reminder of the delicate balance between nourishment and reaction. It’s a conversation your body has had before. But this time, you’re ready. The discomfort, the irritation—it feels temporary because you’ve been here before, and you know how this story ends.

What’s remarkable, though, isn’t the reaction. It’s what happens afterward. Slowly, like the way clouds part to reveal a clear sky, your skin begins its transformation back to normal. The redness fades, the irritation subsides, and the balance is restored. You watch as your skin, resilient and strong, returns to the familiar, healthy glow, as if the disruption never happened.

There’s a quiet strength in this process, one that goes unseen by most. Your skin doesn’t just react, it heals. And with every transformation, it tells a story of resilience—of a body that knows how to protect itself and how to recover.

Each flare-up is a fleeting moment in time, a brief interruption. The real story is in the way your skin comes back, again and again, whole and healthy. It’s a testament to your body's ability to restore balance, to endure, and to heal perfectly each time.

Not until pandemic existed, I started buying products online for my skin. Moisturizer, sunscreen, face scrub, acne remover, face masks and such. These are the products that I tried but didn't suit my skin. I still continue using those products since it was effective at first but gone wrong in last. After pandemic, My skin is still the same. There was a random day that change my whole perspective about myself. Something that also helped me to build that self confidence.

I tried accepting my flaws, that no matter how many products i use? It's not that fast to heal. taking care of yourself is also a one factor that could change the way you see yourself. I'm also glad using some products that are now really effective in my skin. Finding the right one may take a long time but it will be worth it if it comes with an action.

I grew increasingly careless towards myself as I grew older. I used to be the kind of person that truly doesn't give a damn about anything, but that was before. Every time we go out, I order a lot of food, therefore, I normally eat a lot of bad foods. Although fast food chains are nice, frequenting them would seriously harm my body and my skin from eating unhealthily. During a pandemic, I become stressed, and my sleeping habit might affect my skin. That's why my skin changed drastically when I was 14 years old. I developed acne on my chest and back as well. Since I was a kid, I have really liked sweets, even now. I mean, who wouldn't, right? But I realised taking too much of it might be considered in my situation. Growing up in this kind of situation, I hardly can’t wear clothes that will reveal my back and chest. I always wear a t-shirt and jacket and anything that will cover my body.

Since I'd notice these changes in my body, I'd take action by buying skincare products. I started to avoid eating unhealthy foods and ordering at fast food chain restaurants. I would rather go home and eat there, and I started to drink a lot of water and avoid colored drinks. I learned a lot, managed it very well, and became more aware of everything I took. I came to the realisation that this circumstance had improved my understanding of how to care for and treat myself. I take care of my skin and embrace who I am as a kind of self-love. I would prefer not to draw attention to my flaws but instead enjoy the little progress I make in taking care of it.

With this situation, I can say I learned a lot. Wear whatever you want to because our skin is special and naturally beautiful and should be appreciated. And remember that perfect skin does not exist, that everyone has imperfections, and that is what makes us unique. There's nothing you need to be ashamed of. Be who you are.

I tried everything. I used countless products, asked my friends for advice, and even skipped meals in a desperate attempt to see some kind of improvement. But no matter what I did, the acne stuck around, refusing to leave until, somehow, it finally started to change.

But here’s what I realized: I needed to stop being so hard on myself. I had to accept that my skin wasn’t perfect, and that was okay. The more I stressed about it, the worse it got. So instead of constantly battling my reflection, I began to show myself some love and patience. I learned to accept my skin in its flawed state, and surprisingly, the changes started happening. The breakouts became less frequent, the angry red patches began to heal, and the painful pimples turned into small, manageable bumps. Little by little, my skin started cooperating.

This shift really happened when I changed my approach. I cut back on oily foods, got more sleep, and stopped chasing perfection. I started loving myself as I was, not just waiting for the day my skin would clear up to feel good about myself. That self-acceptance, that inner change, is what made all the difference. When I let go of trying to control everything and just embraced who I was, the results were shocking. My skin slowly transformed alongside my mindset, and I could see the improvements more clearly each day.

Now, when I look at myself in the mirror, I feel a sense of pride in the journey I’ve been through. My skin may not be perfect, but it’s healthier, clearer, and stronger just like me. And that's the lesson: when you stop fighting yourself and start embracing who you are, that’s when the real transformation begins. Love yourself where you are right now, and you’ll be amazed at how much changes from there.

Ever since I went through the changes of puberty. Every day when I wake up, my face looks shiny. At first, I thought it was a good thing because a shiny face reminded me of "glass skin," so I just assumed maybe I had glass skin. (delusional much) however, as time went by, I realized that  I don't have glass skin because what I have is oily skin, and believe me when I say it's not good to have it, because there are some instances that the oiliness in my skin is out of control, especially during sunny days, also  one of my problems of having oily skin is when I put on make-up it disappears quickly in my face because it just oxidizes in my oily skin even though I put a setting spray on the top of my make-up. Additionally, having this skin type makes me more prone to acne.

Nevertheless, as time went by, I became more knowledgeable about what to do with my skin type. Based on what I observed my skin tends to become more oily because of my food intake.  I noticed that the more I eat greasy and oily food, the oilier my skin gets, and I end up with more breakouts that’s why I try to lessen eating greasy and oily food and I also invest myself in skincare products not just because it will help me in my concerns in my skin but also because I believe whatever your skin condition right now whether its good or bad we should still take care of it since our skin protects our body from external factors such as bacteria, chemicals, and temperature

Changes didn’t only occur in my face, but also in my body, I started to have stretch marks, but it didn’t become my insecurity, not even once because I know that it’s normal knowing that I am in my teenage years. But my biggest insecurity took place when I had back acne, I didn’t know how it happened, but it just happened. I was frustrated since I love wearing tank tops and backless. So, I talked to my mom about it, and she consulted a doctor about it, and he recommended that I use skin eskinol with certain medicine. My mom mixed the medicine with the eskinol and used cotton to put it on my back. I continued using it for years, but not every day because the doctor said that it should be at intervals so there should be days that I don’t use it or stop for a week then use it again after a week. I noticed after months of using it, there was no more active acne, but acne marks were left. After a year of consistently using it, my back became clear, so I had the confidence again to wear backless tops. I am so proud of myself because I overcame that insecurity. I also do some body care such as exfoliation because I always hear that it’s a must so I ensure that I exfoliate my skin using a milk scrub once or twice a week so that the dead skin will be removed, and my skin will feel soft and bouncy. I also put lotion on my skin at night, so that my skin is moisturized, and the only lotion that I used is from Johnsons’ again since it’s a baby product, that means it’s gentle to the skin. Now, I just keep utilizing the items I use to maintain my skin so that it can get better.

These were quite the roller coaster ride for me, I’ve gone through so many just to achieve what I have right now. Nevertheless, these experiences taught me a lesson that I shouldn’t lose hope because the key to healthy skin is consistency, and the most valuable skincare product you can ever own is confidence.

My family always say that i inherited a lot from them, but one major aspect that i inherited was from my grandmother. As my grandmother has this it hing habit she has which i inherited it. Having the urge to itch away a small lump that pops up in my skin due to mosquito’s or flies that bite into mine i always have this urge to itch it until i didn’t realize that i was slowly damaging my skin in the process, this causes my skin to have small bleeding whenever i itch or scratch it too hard but i couldn’t help even after putting moisturizers. But because of my naivety from that time my skin was still healthy as it healed on its own.

But as i got older, i realized that my itching habit was worsening. My skin was trying to repair the injury that i caused, but after it repaired and made that small black patch, i couldn’t help but scratch it until that black patch got removed making my small the wound worsen again. I have experienced this multiple times and it seems i slowly start to realize how bad it will get.

As time went on i slowly drop my itching habits after seeing the results of my skin’s pigment started to look like a dark birthmark that i have. This shows that the skin’s regeneration isn’t as effective as before making me more aware of my skin’s safety and its consequences.

Back when I was in 6th grade, I had so many blackheads on my nose. It continued growing until whenever I touched my nose I could already feel a few bumps. It made me so insecure up until I entered high school. I tried so many blackhead remover products but none of them worked. Not until, my mother told me to use "Beautederm Facial wash" that helped me remove the blackheads.

After that, as I went through puberty, my skin went through some changes too. I had an oily skin up until now that I am 17. Though, I am aware that it is because of what I eat and the weather in our country.

During those stages, I’ve learned how to properly take care of my skin. I once watched a vlog of my favorite vlogger "Julianna G or Missy Gacutina" where she used Ponds products that also helped her skin. From then, I started using the same products and I was so happy seeing the outcome.

As of now, I like watching videos about what products to use and apply on different types of skin. It intrigued me that there is a specific product or skincare formula for oily skin or dry skin and so on.

From there, it made me appreciate the little things just like taking care of my skin or finding the right routine and products for my skin.

For years, I despise my skin, I perceived it as incorrect rather than seeing it as normal.

For years, I just caught up to self-comparison.

Before, fair skin was the beauty standard, so

people used to mock my skin.

So then, puberty hit, and that's when I cared about my appearance. I tried whitening soap and rarely went out and didn't wear shorts so I wouldn't be exposed to the sun. And for me, no matter how many posts I've seen about loving your morena skin, I think no one could ever change my mind— that I look better if I have lighter skin.

After having menstruation, I started having pimples. Being surrounded by my friends who barely have pimples is humbling. This pimples led to acne marks which I find hard to get rid of. I got so insecure. I used to post pictures of me on FB but I stopped and even after pandemic, I find it hard to take off my mask. I've been socially anxious. I spent thousands on skincare, which my parents didn't know.

This process hasn't been easy, and it's been long. But it is comforting that it's getting better. As I'm trying hard to improve my skin, I also regained my confidence. It takes a lot of courage to feel comfortable without hiding my acne marks and to stop worrying about what people might say. For so long, I haven't been able to take selfies— it feels so nice to finally be back to my hobby. And not getting shy every time my mom posts a picture of me.

I hope that all this effort and consistency will lead me to something that I always desired.

That's what I usually get whenever I introduce myself... Of course, every time I hear that, I feel shy about it. But I think that's also the reason why I got so conscious of the way I look.

Honestly, when I saw the homework, I didn't know what to write. I didn't have much trouble with my skin growing up and until now. I started my skin care routine around grade 7. Even before that, I usually got compliments about my skin being smooth, most especially my face since I rarely get pimples. Genetics may also be a factor for having healthy-looking skin. My skin care routine consists of Ponds facial foam, Ponds toner, Jeju aloe ice soothing gel lotion, and lastly, Olay cream. Also, don't forget to put on sunscreen. As I started my grade 11 journey, that's when I learned how to put on makeup.

As I reminisce about everything that happened in my life, there are 4 things that I remember being conscious of about my skin. 1st was when I had chickenpox when I was, I think, in Grade 4. That illness left a scar in some parts of my body and even a scar on my right cheeks. The second was when I had 2 warts, 1 on my thigh and 1 on my calf. It wasn't really noticeable, so it wasn't a big problem. I just used an ointment, and eventually it healed but it still left scars.

The last two problems were the ones who, at some point, lowered my self-confidence. It was my pimples and my skin color. As I was starting my grade 11 year, that's when I started to get pimples. As someone who rarely gets pimples, my friends always point out my pimples whenever they see me. That's when I start to feel pressured about taking care of my skin. Imagine complaining about having 2-3 pimples, Thinking about it now, I was so maarte and OBSESSED. Around this time, I was under a lot of stress, and Manila is a different environment for me. I'd say that these factors contributed to my skin appearance. Next is my skin color. I felt uncomfortable about my color, and I don't feel pretty about it. As someone who was surrounded with beautiful women who have fair skin, I see myself as someone much less. I tend to compare myself to the people around me. 

Yes, I still feel insecure about it. There are still moments when I lack self-confidence. But I learned to embrace my imperfections and be confident. Learning to love our insecurities is a long and beautiful process. It won't just happen overnight. Surrounding myself with people who affirm me everyday is a big help. Do not let your flaws define who you are. Talk to yourself like you would talk to someone you love.🥰

"Allow yourself to admire the flaws in you.💕"

Believe me when I say I hated my skin color. I hated it to the point that I also questioned my parents skin color. Immature right? But can you blame me when all I’m hearing is “konti nalang magiging uling ka na.”

I never really cared about my skin color, my overall appearance out in public. My skin was a rich, deep brown which is a contrast to what is defined as the standard of “beauty”, a fair skin. Growing up, I always hear comments that somehow made me lose the spark of confidence. “Mas maganda pag maputi ka” “bakit di ka magpaputi? Mas maraming magkakagusto sayo nyan.” These comments made me wonder, am I not enough?

I remember the times where I asked my mom for products that can at least lighten my skin, hoping to fit in. I felt the pressure to change knowing that these changes would make me feel accepted yet deep down, I knew to myself that I’m losing a part of me.

Studying here in Manila made me realize things. I met people which became my source of courage. A circle that reminded me that my skin color is something to celebrate and not shy away. I started to see myself differently and began to embrace the beauty that I possess. You don’t have to change just to fit the standard created by the society, you don’t need to impress everybody. Be your own standard.

Growing up, these features didn't bother me much, as I couldn't care less about my physical appearance when my family was having a hard time financially. Because, in our household, how you look doesn't matter as long as there's food on your table, and having our stomach full was more important than getting our face pampered.

Nevertheless, I would be lying if I said that I didn't envy those girls that have the capability to give proper care and attention to their skin. Because I can clearly remember myself fuming with jealousy at those who can afford expensive skincare products. This worsened even more when I was exposed to social media, where skincare is held in high regard, sometimes even more than daily necessities. 

It may have hurt me at the time, but it also made me realize the importance of giving proper care and attention to my skin. Moreover, it also pushed me to immerse myself in researching my skin type, which eventually taught me that my body hair is normal. Through that, I was also enlightened to consult a doctor, who told me that this "thick fleece" that I struggle with is a symptom of an underlying disorder called PCOS, or Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome.

In line with this, I also learned that self-care doesn’t need to be expensive; instead, what you need are products and practices that are best suited for your skin. And for that reason, I’ve learned to use affordable products that work well with my condition, as well as execute hygienic practices such as shaving or waxing to manage the growth of my body hair.

However, I know that this skin journey will be a long process that requires consistency and discipline to achieve one’s dream. But at least, I’ve now taken the initiative to manage this “wolf in sheep’s clothing” type of problem. And with that, this chapter of my skin story can serve as a testament that I once was a literal 𝙗𝙡𝙖𝙘𝙠 𝙨𝙝𝙚𝙚𝙥.

My mom told me that I was too young to use that kind of stuff and that it would not help my skin. I didn’t listen. I continued to use it. Realizing that my mom was right, bumps turned into acne, leaving a mark on my face. Fast forward to the pandemic. I started to lose interest in everything, even taking care of my skin. My face was dotted with red blemishes and discoloration. There was a time that each morning became a battle against  the mirror; I couldn't go out without using makeup to cover up my blemishes, scared of what people would say. 

In the year 2022, when I was in 10th grade, everything went back to normal. We were able to go back to school, but this time, I was required to put on a facemask, which worsened my skin more. And my insecurities grew as I compared myself to my batchmates with clear skin. Realizing the need to look after my skin as well. I began with a basic routine that consisted of a toner, serum and a moisturizer made specifically for skin prone to acne, and a mild cleanser. To prevent overwhelming my skin, I was cautious and added new products little by little. Every step seemed like a tiny triumph.

As weeks turned into months, I started to notice subtle changes. My skin, which had previously been affected by blemishes and discoloration, began to show improvement. My regimen became a kind of self-care along with helping my skin clear better. I learned to appreciate my unique beauty and to view my skin as a part of my asset rather than a flaw. This serves as a reminder that, even while acne can impact a lot of people in their teenage life, it does not define oneself.

I'm sure you've heard of the belief that you must wipe the first blood discharge or period over your face to avoid pimples in the future. Of course, I didn't do it. Not because I don't want to; it's just that I forgot about it.

That superstition made me think for months, if not a year, after I had my period that I should have done it. Because the acne popped up after I had my first menstrual cycle. But then I knew that superstition was completely out of the picture; it was the hormones. I used to believe in the belief because I didn't understand hormonal shifts well. (pls do not shame me >-<)

My skin is now in good condition on occasion, despite the fact that it has the traces of my previous acne. I've also tried a variety of products, however many of them did not work because my skin is really sensitive. I'm still learning how to properly care for my skin in small steps, such as always washing my face before going to bed. There is still plenty to learn, and it is not too late to make a change, especially if it is for the greater good of yourself. We just need determination and discipline for it to happen.

Fast forward and pandemic happened it getting worse and worse my face are having an acne especially in my forehead up until now I still have a lot of scars in my forehead and body acne are starting to appear but at that time I still didn't care and said to my self "parte ng pagbibinata yan". Fast forward my acne in my forehead is getting worser I had an acne breakout in my chin due to wearing a face mask and I also didn't wash my face often.

Now I have still a lot of acne in my forehead and in my chin, but I am starting to realize that I need to take care of myself and start investing on my self and eating healthy.

because I had pimples and redness all over my face. It made me feel really insecure, and it’s the reason why I don’t have many pictures of myself from that time. Seeing all those pimples on my face made me lose confidence, especially since my friends had smooth, flawless skin.

During the pandemic, I got chickenpox, which added even more red spots to my face. However, after two weeks, I noticed something strange my acne from before had started to disappear. Even the big pimples were gone, which weirded me out. After that, I became more focused on taking good care of my skin. I researched the best skincare routines for my skin type and made sure to use minimal products because I realized that using too many would cause more breakouts.

Now, I still get the occasional pimple, but it’s minimal compared to how it was when I was 12 to 16. Now i can confidently take pictures of myself, and more importantly, I’ve learned to love and embrace not just my skin but also myself. Whether or not I have imperfections, no one can dictate on how I should feel about my own body.

In my teenage years, my skin got worse and I had an acne outbreak because of the huge hormonal changes I'm going through. There was pimples everywhere from my forehead, nose, and chin, so then I started to use skin and beauty products. Thankfully, I'm in a family with siblings that is composed of 2 sisters which they helped me to sort out in getting started with all of these.

As a male, it felt really weird at first that I'm so conscious with the condition of my face. Others expect that it's too feminine to really give a crap to your skin. But let's be realistic that everybody needs this and these kinds of problems can really affect the way we look at ourselves.

Now, I have less acne than before and learned a lot in taking care of myself from all the years of insecurities and shame on my face.

With that mindset, I developed habits and did things that were considered detrimental to my skin, one of which is my dietary habits. Young and carefree, I was naturally attracted to sweets and sugars, I would eat and drink sugary foods with any chance i could get, I wasn't fond of drinking water therefore the consequences of these actions caught up to me now in my teenage years.

Other than changes in hormones or more specifically puberty, I noticed how my usual smooth skin were now riddled with acne and pimples, I asked my siblings for help and along the way explained to me the several causes of my acne breakout, with their guidance I started to use skin care products and also started to take care of myself more beginning with changes in my diets.

Now I have started to appreciate my skin a lot more than when I was just a child, I realized how important taking care of our skin was not only to our health but also in improving our self confidence and insecurities. I still have a long journey ahead of me before I can truly achieve what they call healthy skin and now I can confidently say that I am more than ready to tackle these challenges to achieve my goal.

While some may see scars as flaws, I’ve come to appreciate them as symbols of my resilience and growth. Each one represents a moment of perseverance, teaching me valuable lessons about strength and determination. Over time, I've learned to embrace these reminders of my past, understanding that they are not just marks on my skin but reflections of my journey and the passion that drives me forward.