Wading through 20's is hard. Wading through 20's with declining job prospects, student debt, dysfunctional family, lackadaisical relationships, and health problems has become a norm for many of my peers.
My persistent health issue through college has been my persistent skin problems. I've had acne breakouts, eczema, rashes due to allergies, ringworm, and chronic dermatitis. I think the most self demoralizing one has been dermatitis. It's propped up on the nape of my neck, around my mouth, face, eyelids, shoulders, elbows etc etc. I have been extremely lucky to have good doctors and family who put me on a healthcare plan and paid for my medical bills. But most people aren't as lucky as me.
I understand how skin problems can erode one's self esteem. So, I would like to pass along a few tips I've learnt in my struggles with dermatitis:
1. Skin problems are generally symptomatic of underlying health concerns.
Perhaps there is a genetic component, perhaps there are kidney problems, perhaps there is some unnoticed allergy, or perhaps there is an issue with hormone fluctuations etc etc. There is often more to a skin problem than just what can be seen on the skin.
2. You are what you eat.
I often hear about people complaining about acne and when I see their diet they don't know how to cook or think past fast food. Indulging in fruits and vegetables has radically transformed my breakout cycles and helped with skin inflammations.
3. Avoid soft drinks, commercial fruit juices, and shun alcohol.
The first two are full of excessive sugars that are plain unnecessary, and the alcohol is dehydrating for the skin. I have seen peers who drink excessive alcohol and developed wrinkles earlier than expected on their faces (along with the myriad of liver illnesses and poor judgement scenarios). I know this point will not be welcomed because folks love their booze - but it is something everyone has to make their own peace with.
4. Exercise to open up the pores.
Skin is a massive organ that excretes toxins throughout the day. Exercise speeds up that process. Along with releasing endorphins, exercise pushes the body to push out toxins via sweating.
5. Throw away the old lotions, makeup, and potions.
Identify what products make your skin sting and burn. See what ingredients they have. Avoid buying products with those triggering chemicals. You don't need to buy the latest pricey skin cream from Sephora. A simple drugstore product or a Walmart brand does the same trick on a budget. Invest in sunscreens with at least 15 SPF, moisturizers, aquaphor/vaseline, and face washes that aren't harsh on the skin.
6. Cut down on the stress from life.
Yes, we've heard this over and over again how stress is harmful but we just can't escape it. I figured out that if there is something I can't easily fix in my life (like putting up with pretentious asshats for the sake of being in a dumb clique) I can either accept that toxicity in my life, or just slice it away from myself.
The more I figured out on what things are important to me, the happier and more self fulfilled I feel. And the stress just melts away. Surrounding yourself with thankful, happy, and genuine people uplifts you and will always be a backup incase you hit a bump in life.
Hope this helps. Hope I end up taking my own advice as medicine as often as I like to preach and write about it.
