My journey with my skin has been a challenging one, filled with unrealistic beauty standards that left me feeling constantly stressed. For years, I chased ideals like "glass skin"- a notion of skin so perfect it's nearly transparent. In the age of social media, these unattainable goals set us up for failure and can be extremely harmful.
I know many of you will relate to my story, especially if you’ve struggled with severe acne. I endured years of inflamed, irritated skin, pigmentation, and uneven texture, which led me to countless doctors and dermatologists, affording only short-term respite. The emotional impact this had was even more difficult; I remember hiding behind my fringe, avoiding school and social events due to cruel comments—some outright malicious, others masked as "helpful" advice.
While my acne improved in my twenties, my skin barrier was still damaged and dull from years of harsh treatments that focused on reducing acne rather than nourishing the skin. Like many with melanin-rich skin, I also mistakenly believed sun protection was only necessary for lighter skin. Worse, I thought sun exposure would actually help my acne and skin overall. So, I spent days soaking up the sun without protection, hoping for improvement, but ending up with sore, irritated, dull, pigmented skin instead.
I also over-cleansed my oily skin, thinking it would eliminate impurities, and actively avoided hydrating and moisturising products altogether, believing they would make my skin oilier. And drinking water? Let’s just say I wasn’t very consistent. Does any of this sound familiar?
Worst of all, I bought into unhealthy beauty standards that are prevalent in many communities (sadly often many of these deeper toned), where lighter skin is prized, and "glass skin" is the ultimate goal. This mindset led me to make harmful skincare choices, prolonging my struggle well into my late twenties and thirties.
It was only later in my forties I understood that my battle was due to pursuing the wrong goals. Chasing "glass skin," lighter skin, and using products wholly unsuitable for my melanin-rich tones had trapped me in a cycle of disappointment. True freedom came from understanding my skin's unique needs and focusing on overall skin health rather than unrealistic ‘vanity’ goals, to liberate my natural melanin glow.
My eureka moment was learning about the pigment melanin and how it can present unique challenges. All skin tones, but especially melanin-rich ones, are more prone to issues like irritation, hyperpigmentation, uneven texture and dehydration unless nurtured kindly as well as effectively (both are absolutely achievable!) Understanding the science of skin tone can help us make better choices, from the products we buy to the advice and treatments we receive. While progress is being made, there is still much to be done.
Instead of striving for unattainable standards like "glass skin," my firm belief is our focus should shift to achieving healthy skin that respects our unique tones, textures, and resilience. This is the only path to true freedom—not just from harmful physical risks but also from one dimensional standards around what constitutes beauty.
Emphasising healthier skin over "glass skin" means:
- Building a consistent, personalised skincare routine that responds to how our skin reacts, and focuses on long-term health rather than short-term fixes.
- Prioritising our skin barrier integrity by using ‘melanin kind’ products that boost the barrier and offer antioxidant protection, intense hydration and brightening over lightening. Not forgetting of course, the crucial importance of everyday sun protection.
- Taking a holistic approach to skincare, incorporating diet, hydration, exercise, and mental wellness as fundamental elements.
For me freedom truly came when I began empowering myself by understanding my individual needs and practicing kindness towards my melanin-rich skin. I stopped chasing goals like "glass skin" and instead embraced a healthy, balanced routine and philosophy - one that nurtures and celebrates all skin tones, including mine.
The Azadi (freedom) approach is not just about looking good; it’s about feeling great and redefining beauty to be inclusive and diverse, moving beyond fairy-tale perfection. Let us embrace it together for the sake of ‘all melanin kind’ ❤️
