My story

As a teenager, I dealt with breakouts on a regular basis. I made sure no one ever saw me without makeup, even at sleepovers and swimming pools, and anxiously awaited the day when I would finally “grow out of” my acne. 

But it never happened. In college, as I was training to become a dietitian, my acne transitioned from smaller blemishes, like whiteheads and pustules, to large, painful nodules and cysts — the kind that take months to heal.

By age 25, my acne was worse than ever despite my best efforts to stop it. There were cysts along my jawline, all over my shoulders, and even on my neck. I even had to stop wearing makeup because it hurt so bad to touch my face.

My confidence was shot. I couldn’t even wear makeup at times because my face hurt so bad to touch. I avoided social situations, dreaded having my picture taken, and hated what I saw in the mirror. 

On top of that, I started experiencing depression and anxiety that left me feeling hopeless. I started to experience other symptoms like severe gas, bloating, and acid reflux as well. I hit rock bottom.

Finally, I accepted that nothing was working — not the spot treatments, the medicated cleansers, the essential oils, or the gluten-free/dairy-free diet. 

So I put my nutrition degree to work and decided to dive in to the research about acne. Through trial and error, I identified the root causes of my acne and made some changes to my diet and lifestyle.

After a few months, I started to notice improvements in my skin, my gut, and my mental health. Over time I continued to heal and discovered how to appreciate my body again.

Now, I’ve made it my mission to help others become acne free and learn to love their skin again, so they can stop obsessing over their imperfections and get back to living life.