If you struggle to gas yourself up, that’s okay. You can also choose something neutral. Think, Everyone is imperfect You can also find out more about Focus on the things you can control. You could also use the next tip as a sticky reminder.
3. Repeat after us: Other people don’t care that much.
But in a great way! “When my clients worry about what other people think of their skin, I always remind them that people generally don’t think about us as often as we think they do,” Tammy Fletcher, PhD, LMFT, a therapist who specializes in skin-picking disorders, tells SELF. “They’re usually wrapped up in their own thoughts and insecurities, and they may even be worrying about what you think about them.”
Before heading out for the day, try taking a moment for a few deep breaths and repeat some version of, “People are more focused on themselves than on my skin.” It might seem small, but Dr. Fletcher says these mindfulness pauses ahead of social interactions can help you spend less time thinking Oh my God, they’re staring at my huge zit right now In the moment
4. Feel your emotions.
You can acknowledge it: “A bad skin day sucks—there’s no spin I can put on it to make it not suck,” Dr. Fletcher says. And what’s more, you can (and should) embrace the suckiness if that feels better to you, she explains: “We don’t have to say, Oh, it’s beautiful, it’s fine. No one wants to deal with a bad skin day.”
Dr. Fletcher recommends that you share your worries with someone else as well. You can also talk to your therapist about your eczema or acne problems during your next session. You could also vent to a peer who’s experienced something similar, since you probably won’t have to look far to find someone who has been personally victimized by a bad skin day, according to Dr. Fletcher and Dr. Johnson.
5. Remember what your skin actually looks like.
With how pervasive airbrushing filters and full-on face-tuning are these days, it can be easy to forget that your social media feed doesn’t always reflect reality. “Skin is bumpy and has all kinds of different colors and is very imperfect and changes from day to day,” Dr. Fletcher says. “But that’s not what we see reflected on our screens.”
Start by being mindful of the media you consume. This might mean that you follow more real-life accounts on TikTok, or remind yourself to watch your favorite Bridgerton The characters are supported by a team of makeup artists. (To see a range of authentic complexions, check out SELF’s Group Shot series, which highlights everyday people without filters or makeup.)
6. Maintain a consistent skin care routine.
Both Dr. Fletcher and Dr. Johnson emphasized the importance of showing your skin some love on bad skin days—especially considering how many of us are drawn to pop, pluck, pick, or otherwise punish our faces when they misbehave. Dr. Fletcher explains that skin care can provide a sense of calm and grounding. Dr. Johnson says self-care is a form of kindness that can improve your mood.