jaded issue #2

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One of the biggest reasons I fully invested myself in women’s health was because between the ages of 18–21 I had the absolute worst acne of my life. Before 18, I don’t think I had ever gotten a pimple. But as a woman’s body does (and should), it changes…sometimes for the better, sometimes for the worse.

Majority of the time, I would hide away in my room and cry for hours. I’d stare in the mirror, picking myself apart. Looking back 4 years later, I realize it really wasn’t as bad as I thought (ofc) and I wish I hadn’t kept myself from living life outside of my house.

So many of us grow up believing that when we have an “imperfection” (something society has labeled as such) (i hate the negativity of that word more on that later) we’re less worthy, less valuable, and that we need to cover it up with makeup or hide ourselves completely. The truth is, that mindset takes such a toll on our mental health and quality of life, and it shouldn’t.

If I could gather all my lessons and wrap them into one piece of advice, it would be this: find the beauty in breaking (out). Our bodies are always communicating with us, and even those “flaws” can tell us so much about ourselves.

So let me dive into what I mean. enough of the ramble…

Now, I want to break this down through the lens of what I call the four pillars of health. each one no important than the other…the foundations that every woman needs in order to feel fulfilled. They balance each other out.

Let’s start with the physical pillar, because that’s usually where most people turn first when it comes to acne. Physical care matters, but it’s not the whole story. Here are a few of my top tips for supporting your body when you’re breaking out:

The Physical Pillar

1. Keep a food + drink journal.
I know, I know….you might be screaming, “This isn’t a quick fix, WTF?!” And you’re right, it’s not. Quick fixes don’t work. Acne is, at its core, inflammation. And inflammation can come from a wide range of stressors. Recent research has shown how strongly it can be connected to your gut health.

So here’s what I recommend: keep a simple log of what you eat and drink. After meals, pause for a moment, take 5 deep breaths, and check in with your body. Then a few hours later, do another scan ask yourself….do you feel bloated, foggy, tired? Any stomach pain, nausea, constipation? Write it all down. These patterns become gold when you look back.

2. Keep it simple.
When you’re experiencing breakouts, your body often needs a reset. This is the time to lean into nourishing, home-cooked meals and give your system a break from things that may drive inflammation—alcohol, soda, gluten, and overly sugary options. Think of it as creating a little space for your body to actually use the nutrition you’re giving it. (that doesn’t mean don’t go out with your friends for some chips + margs though) (that can help too)

3. Get labs done (if you can).
Please, please, please—don’t try to play detective forever without a benchmark. As a healthcare provider, I know how much of a shot in the dark it can be when you don’t have lab data to work from. If your breakouts are persistent, getting labs done can give you a map.

The Mental Pillar

Acne can take an extreme toll on your mental health. That’s real, and it’s just as important as the physical side.

1. Use this time to discover yourself.
I know…cliché and annoying…..But it’s real. The first thing I did when I started breaking out was cry in bed for hours. Not worth it. What was worth it? Finding new hobbies that shifted my focus. For me, that was reading, cooking, and fashion.

I still remember in 2023, when I had a bad breakout, I didn’t want to leave my house. Instead, I cooked a new recipe every night. Many of which I still use today. So, find something that gets you up and going…Painting, planting, singing, dancing, whatever. Embark on it.

2. Meditation + Detachment.
It’s okay to pause. I promise, life will wait for you. If a breakout is what forces you to pause….listen and let it. Meditation helped me calm my mind and visualize the life I wanted to create outside of my skin struggles. Each time I finally walked back out of my room after meditating and journaling, I felt like a new person.

The Emotional Pillar

This is where things get real. Acne isn’t just physical….it brings up deep emotions. And emotions are energy. Energy has to move.

1. Let it out.
Journal it. Scream it. Cry it. Dance it. Move it. Just don’t let it sit stagnant inside you. The release itself is healing. Emotions are energy. Move them.

2. Practice yoga or mindful movement.
Okay yes, movement could technically fit into the physical pillar. But here’s the thing (which i believe)—exercise is probably 85% a mental and emotional practice. Moving your body doesn’t just release endorphins, it shifts your energy. And every time I rolled out my yoga mat during a breakout season, I felt emotionally lighter.

The Spiritual Pillar

This one has been the most transformative for me in my acne journey. It forces you to dive deep into your soul and reconnect with your body.

1. Ask the “why.”
Instead of obsessing over every pimple in 10 different lightings (been there), pause and ask: Why is this happening? What is it teaching me? Where do I go from here?

For me, 95% of the time my breakouts were my body and soul’s way of saying: slow down, reduce stress, or pay attention to something I’d been ignoring. Sometimes it was as simple as needing new makeup products. Other times, it was a full-on lifestyle check-in. Either way, the “why” mattered more than the mirror.

2. Lean into support.
One of the most spiritual forms of self-care isn’t a solo practice….it’s letting yourself be supported. Friends and family reminded me of all the beautiful parts of myself outside of my skin. Their love grounded me in ways I couldn’t always do alone. And that, to me, is real self-care.

With all of this being said, let me leave you with a quote my grandma lived by and repeated to me constantly growing up…. in seasons of struggle or thriving:

“This too shall pass.”

And it always does. It always will.

If you’re in the thick of it right now, know that your breakouts, your self-doubt, your hard days….

they’re all temporary. You’re so much more than your skin.

Hope you took something away from this little morning rant.

xoxo,

Olivia Jade