Annabel’s Real Skin Story

We sat down with Annabel, one of our customers, to hear more about her personal experience, how struggling with bad skin affected her at school, and how 47 Skin transformed her confidence.

Q: When did your skin journey begin and what was that time in your life like?

A; My skin started to get bad when I was 16. I just remember thinking this is what I was going to have to live with forever. It’s quite hard to see my friends with super clear skin, it’s easy to feel lonely.

Q: Is there one particular memory that’s stayed with you from when your skin was at its worst?

A: I remember a time in school where a friend who had lovely skin said “my skin is so bad” and I remember thinking “you have no idea…” but it’s all in perspective; for her, having two pimples seemed like the end of the world but in my world I could only dream of having skin like hers. It’s all so relative and that’s why you can’t compare yourself with others on your skin journey.

My friends, family and teammates definitely saw me as more than someone with bad skin but it was hard to not compare myself to those who had effortlessly clear skin.

Q: Were there any places or situations you used to feel anxious about because of your skin?

A: All the time - I would sit in the mirror staring at my skin wishing “if I had clear skin I would be prettier”. As a rugby player I fight stereotypes about my body all the time, but I struggled to be as brave with my skin.

It’s a really tough place mentally when you feel like you can’t even leave your house without makeup on. It’s really tough and no one speaks about the really dark times.

Q: What’s life like for you now that your skin has improved?

A: Life with clear skin has honestly really helped me become this version of myself that I think I’ve always wanted to be.

In terms of everyday life away from sport it’s great that I can enjoy being active with my family or capturing moments in life which maybe I wouldn’t before because I wouldn’t wear makeup in that situation. I just want to take photos all the time now!! It’s so amazing and I’m so grateful for what 47 Skin have done for me.

Q: What would you say to someone who’s struggling with their skin right now?

A: Don’t let it take over your entire world.