Skincare Spotlight: Overcoming Acne Shame with CoffeeWithAshlee
Every Thursday Kristin & Co. will be featuring people, products and companies
supporting skin positivity and education around issues such as rosacea, acne, psoriasis and more.
Have a nomination? Send me an email to get featured!
Grab a cup of coffee (or tea) and get cozy for today’s spotlight post—an intimate chat with Ashlee of CoffeeWithAshlee. I’ve been following Ash for a while now and I’m so excited to share with you her thoughts on acne shame and overcoming unrealistic beauty standards with all of you.
I’m also curious to know how many of you relate to what Ash and I talked about. There are several moments in our interview where I found myself nodding my head in relatability and shouting a loud AMEN to her views on how to overcome acne and skin condition stigmas. Leave me your thoughts in the comments below!
Enjoy ☕ xoxo Kristin
Name: Ashlee
Age: 24
Skintype: Acne
IG Handle: coffeewithashlee
At what age did you develop skin issues?:
I developed acne when I was around 11 or 12.
How did you feel/perceive acne and rosacea before? After getting diagnosed?:
Before having acne, because I was so young, I don’t think I payed much attention to it. Once I got it, I immediately became embarrassed because my family and peers would point it out to me. I viewed it as something that I was supposed to be ashamed of because it was something other people told me I should fix.
How did you come to #embraceyourface, “imperfections” and all?:
I was deeply ashamed of my skin, for so many years. When I was 21, my skin started to calm down for the first time in a long time. I started to ask myself things like, “why does society hate acne so much, anyway?”. As my skin cleared, I realized that I could have had this same level of confidence all along. That’s when I found the acne community on Instagram and saw so many amazing men and women embracing their real skin without a second thought. I started to understand that society clings to a standard of beauty that is unattainable. All the hurtful comments from family, friends and peers over the years - they were coming from shallow and unrealistic beauty standards we’ve all fallen prey to. Knowing that changed everything for me. Our worth as human beings is not up for debate and could never change based on the condition of our skin.
What are your ride or die skincare products?:
My ride or die skincare products have to be...”Ain’t Misbehavin” cleanser from Dermadoctor, Cocokind’s Texture Smoothing Cream, the Fighter Gel from Banish Acne Scars, Glow Food from Beauty Tech Cosmetics, and the “Killa Kit” from Zitsticka.
What is the best way you’ve found to manage your acne or rosacea?:
Because of a health condition I have, I go through seasons when my acne will fluctuate no matter what skincare/treatments I use. When it does fluctuate, being consistent in my skincare routine is major. I also remind myself that acne comes and goes, and try not to focus on it or stress about it. I just do everything I can, and love myself regardless of the ups and downs.
Any final thoughts or words of advice?
At the end of the day, we aren’t here to be visually pleasing to other people. It’s all about how we feel about ourselves. I like to remind myself that other people’s opinions don’t pay my rent. If your self confidence is suffering because of acne, first, I want you to know that your feelings are valid. Second, please remember that your worth does not depend on whether or not your skin is clear. You are uniquely made and loved, and have so much more to offer this world than just your appearance.
You can follow Ashlee on Instagram and shop her Beauty Tech Cosmetics favorites using code SHOPWITHASHLEE