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Normal zits are irritating enough, but cystic acne? It’s super-painful, can leaves scar, and feels impossible to get rid of. Not to mention, it’s hard to feel like your usual confident, boss babe self when you’re breaking out. Lili Reinhart—who plays Betty on the hit show Riverdale—may look flawless on screen, but she recently revealed via her Instagram Stories that she’s been dealing with cystic acne since she was 12 years old—and it’s affected her self-esteem ever since.
After feeling super insecure during a photoshoot where her cystic forehead breakout was on display for 11 hours, she had a lightbulb moment: There’s no reason she should be self-conscious about something that so many other people are dealing with as well.
“I feel the need to talk about my struggle with acne Because maybe if I normalize my broken-out skin, more people—including myself—will be able to feel okay about their skin,” Reinhart wrote. “To anyone out there who feels embarrassed or ashamed by breakouts, I feel you. We have each other, so let’s get through this acne experience together.”
“I feel the need to talk about my struggle with acne. Because maybe if I normalize my broken-out skin, more people—including myself—will be able to feel okay about their skin.” —Lili Reinhart
And to help others on their acne journey, Reinhart shared some key skin-care tips that have helped her along the way. In an interview with Byrdie, she said she swears by Renée Rouleau’s skin-care line—which has products specifically for acne-prone skin, from severe to less severe—and the super-popular Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay Mask, which is touted as being a must-try for acne and blemishes.
Other acne-fighting solutions you could try—that are likely already in your kitchen? Oatmeal (recommended by a holistic medicine expert), olive oil (Chloe Moretz swears by the stuff), or going dairy-free (Well+Good’s own beauty editor tried this one).
No matter what skin issues you’re dealing with, just take some inspiration from Reinhart’s new DGAF attitude. Breakouts are normal, and everyone has ’em. As long as you remember this and stay confident—no matter how many tubes of zit cream and concealer you go through—you’ll have a glow no cyst can ever take away.
This is the easy way Sza deals with her cystic acne. Also, here’s your definitive guide for getting rid of acne, once and for all.
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