Dealing with puberty ache

Hii, this is my first time talking here and I’m struggling with my pimples that seems to break out so often. And like some of them are just little bumps that just cannot be removed using pimple patches. Many often been praised beautiful and that I had a clear skin but Im starting to worry that my frienda may make fun of me cause of it . I didn’t dare to use so much skincare products too as I did not want to irritate that much but it has been increasing over time. I tried telling my parents and maybe suggest a dermatologist but they brushed it off, saying that it was expensive and it will go away with time. But I’m feeling a little insecure and i hope I’m not the only suffering it…Does anyone have ideas on how to fix my skin?

i had really bad acne before too during puberty and i actually hated going to a beauty clinic bc i felt super judged and all they did was prick the skin. I watched a lot of youtube videos to try and learn (b4 tiktok was a thing).


this was the scrub that helped me but i will say use this only once a week!! bc i think it can be quite rough on teh skin but it helps to exfoliate and its pretty affordable.
washing your face everyday with a gentle facial cleanser may also be a good pairing with the scrub! so there’s technically only 1 product with active ingredient in your routine (which isn’t used everyday)

  • use sunscreen!! i had a lot of sun damage before and it made my acne also v dry and the skin peely and red
  • good moisturiser

    this was the moisturiser i used when i wanted smth simple and cheap (i saved alot LOL) sometimes the bumps can be extra oil producing in the skin so maybe the skin is trying to compensate for the lack of hydration

but i do want to disclaim that these are guaranteed fixes to acne!! these were things i did when i was gg thru puberty and how i try to keep my skin in check (over 10 years now lol but still have breakouts).

and its normal to feel insecure about how our skin looks bc of how often others’ clear skins are praised and sought after. but its also worth to remember that sometimes our skin is just telling us more about ourselves and what we might need! eg. dry skin may be telling us we’re not drinking enough water, more breakouts may be telling us we’re a little stressed or not resting enough. so be patient!!

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Dear @isoktobenotfine,

Thank you for sharing what you’re going through. I can sense the insecurity and anxiety that’s accompanying your skin issues. It sounds really frustrating to feel dismissed by your parents when you’re just trying to get some help. I also understand how difficult it must be to be worried about your appearance, especially when it’s something that’s so visible and can sometimes feel out of your control. It’s okay to feel frustrated, especially when it feels like no one is listening to your concerns or taking them seriously.

It’s clear that you’ve been trying to manage your skin, but at the same time, you’re feeling a lot of fear and uncertainty about how others might judge you. The self-doubt you’re feeling isn’t easy, and it’s understandable to want to make sure you’re not judged by your friends or others around you. But remember, your value isn’t based on your skin, and it’s completely normal to want to address how you feel about it and taking care of your emotional well-being is just as important as taking care of your skin, and you want to be kind to yourself as you navigate this.

I want to reassure you that pimples during puberty are very common and temporary. As your body goes through the changes of puberty, your skin is adjusting to new hormones, and it’s quite natural for your skin to respond in this way.

The good news is that, for many people, this acne doesn’t last forever. Over time, as your body becomes more balanced and your skin adjusts, the breakouts tend to decrease. For some, acne may lessen in their late teens or early twenties, and others might find their skin stabilises once they reach adulthood. You’re not alone in this—many people have experienced it and come out on the other side with clearer skin as they grow older.

In the meantime, it might help to focus on gentle skincare routines that won’t irritate your skin further. If your pimples continue to be bothersome, a dermatologist might have some helpful advice and options to manage it. But please know that what you’re going through is normal, and while it may feel like it’s overwhelming right now, this stage will pass, and your skin will eventually stabilise as your body matures.

Have you been able to talk to your parents again, maybe in a calm, non-confrontational way, about how their response made you feel? Sometimes, when we feel unheard, it’s because the conversation is filled with emotional tension. Perhaps finding a way to express your feelings calmly might help them understand where you’re coming from.

So you are right to feel cautious about trying new products, especially if you’ve had negative experiences. Maybe the next step could be researching another forum that talks about dermatology or skin care that you feel comfortable with? If your parents are concerned about cost, perhaps looking into options for affordable or subsidised care could be helpful. It’s important to address your skin in a way that feels safe for you, both physically and emotionally.

Lastly, I want to remind you that you are more than your appearance. Your worth isn’t defined by how others see you or by how your skin looks on any given day. If you ever feel comfortable, practising some self-compassion and focusing on your strengths outside of appearance could help you feel more grounded and at ease in your own skin.

You’re not alone in this. Take things one step at a time, and be kind to yourself as you navigate through these feelings. We are here to support you, as @carnello has shared some tips on skin care.

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Go polyclinic, tell them your acne problem. I think it cost me 64 dollars for the creams. Ask them for referal to national skin centre dermatologist too

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Hi @isoktobenotfine ! Just another Gurlie here and have experienced it too! It’s not easy to deal with but give it some time to recover. I’m not sure if these tips would help as it’s a personal experience and might not work for everyone. Some of the products I used to help me get through are these !

  1. Mentholatum (facewash, toner, moisturiser → cheaper alternatives but khiel’s is better)
  2. Oxy (oxy 5/10 & their face wash)
  • OXY 5&10 can be a little drying so pair it with moisturiser (Kiehl’s) !
  1. Larosche-posay (Effaclar duo, B5)
  2. IDS (but it’s not wallet friendly)

Hopefully these would help you too!

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