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‘I’ve shed a tear or two about the state of my skin in recent months’
by Victoria Stokes
26th Aug 2022
26th Aug 2022
Close up unhappy sad woman looking at red acne spots on chin in mirror, upset young female dissatisfied by unhealthy skin, touching, checking dry irritated face skin, skincare and treatment concept
As she prepares her wedding and deals with a change in birth control, Victoria has spent an ‘inordinate’ amount of time peering at her skin in a magnifying mirror, scrutinising the recurring pattern of cystic acne, sebaceous filaments and acne scarring, cleverly hidden under makeup. She wonders if the cult of skincare and the pursuit of ‘flawless skin’ is ruining the way we see ourselves.
Over the past 12 months, I’ve spent an inordinate amount of time peering at my skin in a magnifying mirror, scrutinising it in a way I never used to. Spots used to be enemy number one, but recently I’ve become borderline obsessed with a whole host of other skincare woes: fine lines, blocked pores, uneven skin tone. And oiliness. Oh good God, the oiliness. Acid was something people dropped on a night out, not something...
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